How to Shave $100 or More Off the Price of Windows 7 Pro

The suggested retail price for Windows 7 Professional, Microsoft's newest operating system will be around $300 when it debuts on store shelves soon. Windows 7 Professional comes with a host of utilities that enhance it value and functionality beyond that of just a basic operating system. However, these enhancements come with a price. The Professional version of Windows 7 cost $100 more then the Home Premium edition. Did you know that it is possible to get all of enhancements and functionality of Windows 7 Professional at the Windows 7 Home Premium edition price? How? By purchasing the Home Premium edition and enhancing it with no-cost utilities that perform the exact same functions as the Windows 7 Pro versions enhancements.

Some people will always try to pry into your computer to see what you are doing. With little effort, Windows 7 Pro's Encrypting File System encrypts and protects files from being read by others who lack an encryption key. TrueCrypt, a free utility performs the same function. Using powerful encryption algorithms it prevents the uninvited from gaining access to your private files.

At this point in time everyone should know the importance of backing up computer files. You never know when disaster will strike and you will loose access to your precious data. The Backup and Restore Center included with Windows 7 Professional edition can be scheduled to incrementally back up internal, external and network hard drive data. Its Shadow Copy feature also saves earlier versions of previously backed up files. Clonezilla will make full clone backups of all of your hard drives data while BackUp Maker will perform incremental back ups and SyncBack SE will scan your backup folders and delete files you have discarded since you last backup saving you tons of space. All 3 available online for free.

There are times will being able to access your PC remotely is necessary. If you telecommute I know there were times when this ability was a life saver. Windows 7 Pro remote Desktop Host allows you to do exactly that. So does UltraVNC. UltraVNC can encrypt your data as it passes between the two PCs, allows for easy file transferability, offers several connection options, and is available online for no cost.

It would not be a Microsoft product if it did not do this...Downward Incompatibility. Downward incompatibility means you can not run XP files or any other previous operating system's software programs on Microsoft's newer version operating systems. Well Windows XP Mode is available in Windows 7 Pro through it Virtual PC mode. But first you have to download a working version of the legacy Windows XP from Microsoft's web site then plug it into Windows 7 Pro's Virtual PC program. The free Virtual Box utility not only enables you to run a virtual XP operating system, but other older operating systems and also scan partitions or reinstalls as well. However, you do need to have copies of the original operating systems install cd's to take advantage of this functionality.

It is possible to have all of the functionality and enhancements of Windows 7 Professional version at a much lower price. All it takes is a little extra effort. You need to search the Internet to locate the download pages of the listed software. I did not want to take all of the fun out of it for you. Is saving a $100 or more worth it to you?

Resource: How to Save $100 on Windows 7 Pro - PC World Magazine - November, 2009

Tags: windows 7 pro, windows 7 premium home edition, windows os, Microsoft, windows