There are loads of websites that are now talking about the available Windows 7 upgrade options. Initially it seemed that Microsoft is going to release just one Windows 7 flavor but it turns out, we now have 3 options to choose from and that is surely going to add a dilemma to users which one to go for.

Well, here’s the thing, if you currently own Windows Vista then depending upon the flavor of Vista, you can use the corresponding flavor of Windows 7 upgrade. For example, Windows Vista Home Premium can be upgraded to Windows 7 Home Premium through Windows 7 Home Premium Upgrade. Similarly Windows Vista Business goes with Windows 7 Professional Upgrade and Windows Vista Ultimate goes with Windows 7 Ultimate Upgrade. I am mentioning the word ‘upgrade’ explicitly because the ‘full version’ discs are also available for Windows 7. They are basically used to make a clean install on PCs running on Windows Vista, Windows XP and earlier versions of Windows. Here’s the pricing chart of every flavor of Windows 7 out there:

The above table clearly shows that the Windows 7 Home Premium Upgrade is the best value for money for Indian users. There is one more reason to back me up on that. The only features the Windows 7 Home Premium lacks which are there in the other two versions are:

1) Virtualization technology to run Windows XP Mode. (This feature is just for those applications that run only on Windows XP. An average home user won’t be using such legacy programs else he would not have upgraded to Windows 7 in the first place)

2) Domain Join for easily connecting to company networks. (If you are the home user, you don’t even need to know what this means. This feature will connect your network to your company’s network)

3) Automatic backup (There are plenty of alternatives available to back-up your data. The simplest being to regularly burn your important data on a DVD disc)

4) BitLocker to safeguard your data in case of theft. (Well, password protecting your folders using folder guard software gives you similar protection)

5) Switching between 35 languages (Let me tell you, Windows looks best when it is in English)

According to me, considering the money-sensitive Indian population, the above features don’t justify the difference in price between the Home Premium and the other two. Hence, the Windows 7 Home Premium Upgrade is the best option for upgrading if you have Windows Vista Home Premium. If you own Windows Vista Business, Windows Vista Ultimate or Windows XP and earlier for that matter, I would recommend to go for Windows 7 Home Premium Full Version.