Why is Microsoft Windows 7 Ultimate $399?

[duckwingduck]

I have no idea why it's $399 vs $99.

[tsabsuav]

My guess is that its a full edition. Also an ultimate edition is more than the Pro and Home Premium edition.

[tsabsuav]

Ultimate edition has some great features if you can afford it.

[duckwingduck]

Ultimate edition has some great features if you can afford it.

what great features?  It feels like a home edition.

[tsabsuav]

Check out the edition comparison chart here:
http://www.intowindows.com/difference-between-windows-7-home-premium-professional-ultimate-editions/

Some of the features I wish are also included in the home and pro edition are Remote Desktop Host, BitLocker, BitLocker to Go and App Locker.

[Homer_Simpson]

Plain and simple: Microsoft was greedy when they released W7 Ultimate. No home/desktop OS should cost more than $100 bucks. I will not pay $200 bucks for it, much less $400 bucks. Maybe $100.

[tsabsuav]

I don't mind paying for their OSes, but when it comes to server & client access licenses (CALs), it's ridiculously garbage.  Server+client, Exchange server+client, SQL+client or per processor etc. it's a rip off.

[duckwingduck]

Can I run visual studio on Windows 7 Home? 

[tsabsuav]

You should be able to. Unless it's a 64bit and your OS is 32bit then you won't  be able to.

[morsell]

Or you can get the best of both worlds and just get Windows 7 Pro.  It has everything that Ultimate has, except for the security settings, such as encryption.

[tsabsuav]

Yes, pro is pretty good. I have always used pro and it's awesome, with the exception of the BitLocker and Applocker features.