With Windows 7, Microsoft may lift one of the biggest limitations of its Starter edition--the restriction that the operating system run no more than three applications at a time.
Blogger Paul Thurrott said in a posting Friday that Microsoft plans to remove the restriction, without elaborating.
Microsoft neither confirmed nor denied whether such a move will take place.
"We continue to work on developing Windows 7 and have nothing new to share at this time," a Microsoft representative said on Friday.
With Windows XP and Windows Vista, the Starter edition was sold only for use on new PCs sold in emerging markets. With Windows 7, Microsoft said it would also sell Starter in developed markets such as the United States as an added option for low-cost Netbooks.
Separately, enthusiast site TechARP wrote Friday that Microsoft plans to change its rules in terms of what hardware qualifies for the Netbook designation. Microsoft declined to comment on the report or its plans in that area.
For many years now, Microsoft has offered a "starter edition" of Windows aimed at first-time PC buyers in emerging markets. Though low-cost, the starter version has limitations such as only working on low-end processors, smaller screen resolutions and a cap on the number of programs that can run at one time.
Similar restrictions will remain with Windows 7, but Microsoft will allow the operating system to be used in a new way--to power low-cost computers, particularly Netbooks, in developed countries.
Microsoft confirmed its plans for Windows 7 Starter on Tuesday, as part of its announcement that it will offer six different versions of the operating system. Although Windows Starter will be an option for Netbooks, its limitations mean that computer makers will probably also offer models that run Home Premium.
"For (computer makers) that build lower-cost small notebook PCs, Windows 7 Starter will now be available in developed markets," Microsoft Vice President Brad Brooks said in an article posted on Microsoft's Web site. "For the most enhanced, full-functioning Windows experience on small notebook PCs, however, consumers will want to go with Windows 7 Home Premium, which lets you get the most out of your digital media and easily connect with other PCs."
In an interview this week, Senior Vice President Bill Veghte said that Microsoft will place restrictions on the kinds of processors and screen resolutions that will be supported by Windows 7 Starter, but declined to detail the limitations. Windows 7 Starter also won't support features like multitouch or Media Center.
Just the three simultaneous application limit, though, could be enough to push many away from Starter. Three applications may sound like a decent number, until you remember those two instant messaging programs you like to run. Plus, there are all kinds of things that run in the background, such as antivirus software and other programs. Microsoft said that background services running in the system tray don't automatically count against the three program limit, but do count if a user opens up the full program associated with the service.
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