Microsoft Clarifies Win 7 SKUs: All Have Backup

Last month we gathered from Microsoft's Windows 7 comparison page that only the Professional and Ultimate editions had backup and restore functions.

It turns out that there was some confusion in the wording and Microsoft informed us that it has revised its website to convey that all version of Windows 7 will have backup and restore features. It is only the Professional and Ultimate editions that will be able to backup over a network.

The new comparison chart is revised to give the following feature to Professional and Ultimate: "In addition to full-system Backup and Restore found in all editions, you can back up to a home or business network."

Also, the following passage was added to the Backup and Restore page:

"You can back up to another drive or a DVD. And if you're using the Professional or Ultimate editions of Windows 7, you'll also have the option of backing up your files to a network."

So there you have it, folks – all versions of Windows 7 will have backup and restore, but the upper tier SKUs will be able to do it with a bit more convenience for advanced users.

Marcus Yam
Marcus Yam served as Tom's Hardware News Director during 2008-2014. He entered tech media in the late 90s and fondly remembers the days when an overclocked Celeron 300A and Voodoo2 SLI comprised a gaming rig with the ultimate street cred.
  • Netherscourge
    And that's that.
    Reply
  • talys
    Yay. I still think the universe of Home Premium users that have ever run Windows Backup (or even know that it exists) is tiny. But huzzah anyhow.
    Reply
  • talys
    By the way, when can we have Exchange backup back? :)
    Reply
  • bourgeoisdude
    talysBy the way, when can we have Exchange backup back?
    Exchange backup on a client OS? Unlikely ;)
    Reply
  • ckthecerealkiller
    I live on 64 bit basic editions i.e. Home Premium so this is very good news!
    Reply
  • aspireonelover
    Yay Microsoft! You've made the right decision! :D
    Reply
  • chripuck
    aspireoneloverYay Microsoft! You've made the right decision!It was always there to begin with, they've simply clarified their verbage on the matter.
    Reply
  • bk420
    So is there going to be 3x ultimate package?
    Reply
  • apmyhr
    Sorry Toms. Microsoft never gave out wrong information. You simply miss-reported and never corrected yourselves.
    Reply
  • downer88
    I'm not bashing Windows, but didn't people turn off automatic back-ups anyway in XP because malware could hide on your hard drive in old back-up files?
    Reply