Windows 7 Version ?

What exact features would they use? I can understand the upgrade to 2008 AD for the AD functionality but they need to see if Win7Ent is worth it in the extra functionality they get (read *need*)

The only thing that they wont be able to do is utilise some GPO`s to control windows 7 feature.. Server 2003 cannot fully control windows 7 without extra templates and a schema update.

pro to enterprise is not doable via anytime

see http://social.technet.microsoft.com/Forums/en/w7itproinstall/thread/681b7c9a-61bc-4773-a2c5-afa18619129e

pro version can live in a domain

Can you explain more what you mean about Pro not working properly in a 2008R2 domain..?  We have hundreds of Win7 Pro clients working in our 2008R2 domains.

I think he wants the extra features of Win7Ent but he should not really need them, that is what I was saying in my first post. He needs to see what the clients requirements are for the future...

Just thinking of

BrachCache, Direct access, bitlocker, applocker all need ent or ultimate

Dont want to buy win7 pro clients now to have to upgrade later on, but can't see a cost effective way to but ent or ultimate now ? when a new 2008 server comes along dont really want to make a big mistake now by getting lots of 7 pro now.

Thanks,

There are two features that I can think of available in Ultimate that are not in Pro: Bitlocker and BranchCache. I don't remember if AnyConnect is available in Pro or if it requires Ultimate. My company is buying Ultimate instead of Pro for the Bitlocker and BranchCache. We haven't implemented Bitlocker or AnyConnect yet. ;-). We are in the process of replacing our branch W2K3R2 servers with W2K8R2 servers, so we will have BranchCache for those clients running Windows 7.

Since you are talking about laptops, I suggest you buy them with Windows 7 Ultimate now just for the BitLocker. I don't know if you need to upgrade a domain controller to use it. You can probably just do an adprep to update the schema. That will also get you the group policy updates when if you manage from Windows 7.

Gotcha.  I misunderstood, I thought he initially meant he couldn't get them on the domain.  I don't use, or have a use for the Enterprise features, so I've never purchased it.

Good luck!

i think the only way is a windows anytime upgrade from pro to ultimate for the ones already purchased and any new one buy with ent or ultimate

Thanks for the input.