In addition to Windows 7 Professional, Microsoft also offers an Ultimate version. But Ultimate and Professional differ in some important ways.
This is the added value of Windows 7 Ultimate
With Windows 7 Ultimate you have access to all the features that Professional offers. But you can also look forward to a few extras.
- Encrypting File System (EFS): With EFS you can encrypt folders and/or files and thus protect them from unauthorized access.
- BitLocker and BitLocker To Go: This encrypts either your entire drive (BitLocker) or a portable storage device (BitLocker To Go).
- AppLocker: Soyou can decide which programs are allowed to run on your PC and which are not.
- DirectAccess: With this function you can establish a direct connection (tunnel), for example, to your company network and do not have to dial in manually each time.
- BranchCache: This feature is useful if you operate a WAN – ie the company's servers are located in different countries. With “BranchCache” the use of the Internet connection is reduced to a minimum and important data is available more quickly.
- Multilingual user interface (MUI): The MUI allows you to use the operating system in different languages. This feature is especially useful if you share the computer with other people who speak different languages than you.
Conclusion: When is Windows 7 Ultimate worth it?
In 2023, around one in ten PCs was still equipped with the Windows 7 operating system. With its improved security system, Windows Ultimate was particularly interesting for administrators and travelers.
- If you are considering using Windows 7 Ultimate, remember that the last security update for the 7 series was in 2020. Windows 7 is therefore no longer considered secure. Corporate support has also been discontinued since January 2023.
- Support for Internet Explorer, which was still common on Windows 7 systems, was also discontinued in 2022.
- If you still want to use Windows 7 Ultimate as your operating system, you can rely on upgrades from the Slovenian company “0Patch”. Unofficial upgrades for the Windows 7 generation are expected to be available here until 2025.
Also interesting:
- Windows 7: System requirements at a glance
- Download and install Windows 7 Starter – here's how
- Reinstall Windows 7 without a CD – here's how