As expected, Microsoft has eliminated the limitation of running up to only three applications at once in Windows Starter edition, the netbook operating system.
The announcement was made in The Windows Blog and emphasized that Windows 7 Starter edition is still alive and well. Windows 7 Starter lacks many features found in the Home Premium and Professional versions – both considered full versions of Windows 7. Now users can run as many applications as their hardware can reasonably support instead of being cut off at three.
I posted a Windows 7 strategy story earlier today that originally stated Microsoft was sticking with the limitation which is what I was told by two Windows 7 executives on Wednesday. Shortly afterward, I knew tonight’s blog post was coming and changed the story accordingly.
According to the blog, Starter still does not include the following features found in the full versions of Windows 7.
- Aero Glass, meaning you can only use the “Windows Basic” or other opaque themes. It also means you do not get Taskbar Previews or Aero Peek.
- Personalization features for changing desktop backgrounds, window colors, or sound schemes.
- The ability to switch between users without having to log off.
- Multi-monitor support.
- DVD playback.
- Windows Media Center for watching recorded TV or other media.
- Remote Media Streaming for streaming your music, videos, and recorded TV from your home computer.
- Domain support for business customers.
- XP Mode for those that want the ability to run older Windows XP programs on Windows 7.
