Windows Vista Enterprise FAQ

Published: August 17, 2007 | Updated: May 15, 2008

What are the differences between Windows Vista Enterprise and Windows Vista Business?

Windows Vista Enterprise is a premium business operating system that is available exclusively to Microsoft Software Assurance and Enterprise Agreement customers. It is not available from retailers or through original equipment manufacturers (OEMs). In addition to the security and compliance, infrastructure optimization, productivity, and mobility features that are part of Windows Vista Business, Windows Vista Enterprise offers distinct business value. It helps businesses protect data with Windows BitLocker™ Drive Encryption, and it offers application compatibility with virtualization and platform interoperability solutions, including the rights to four virtual operating systems and Subsystem for UNIX-Based Applications (SUA). Worldwide deployment provides access to all Windows user interface languages.

How does Windows Vista Enterprise help productivity?

Windows Vista Enterprise is built on the advancements made in Windows Vista. Features that improve productivity include the following:

•	Windows Aero, a new user interface that offers a visually compelling desktop experience and gives you a greater ability to visualize and work with your information. Windows Aero provides a smoother, more stable desktop experience.
•	Instant Search, which is available almost anywhere in Windows Vista. Search for a file name, a property, or even text contained within a file and get pinpointed results.
•	New ways to organize information.
•	Improved collaboration and document sharing.
•	Enhanced Internet browsing with Windows Internet Explorer 7 for Windows Vista, which offers tabbed browsing, Quick Tabs, and new printing capabilities.
•	Safer Internet browsing with Internet Explorer 7 Phishing Filter and protected mode.
•	Faster sleep and resume.
•	Improved security features, including Windows Firewall and User Account Control.
•	Integration with a wide range of hardware and software to enable new innovations that further increase productivity.
•	Mobility Center, with features such as Presentation Mode so that you can set a professional desktop background and stop e-mail interruptions during a presentation.
•	Tablet PC enhancements, including handwriting recognition and pen navigation.

Learn more about Windows Vista Enterprise

Can I deploy Windows Vista Enterprise on computers that are not covered by Software Assurance?

No. Windows Vista Enterprise is available only to Software Assurance customers.

Learn more about the Windows Vista Enterprise Software Assurance benefit

What features does Windows BitLocker Drive Encryption offer?

Windows BitLocker Drive Encryption offers full-volume encryption that is integrated into the operating system. With this integrated solution, page files, crash dump files, hibernation files, temporary files, and system files are encrypted; this is not the case with OEM solutions. Windows BitLocker Drive Encryption is linked with Active Directory, helping ensure that recovery is easier and the solution is more transparent to users.

Do I need special hardware to take advantage of the data protection for my hard disk?

Yes. Your computer must have a v1.2 TPM (Trusted Platform Module) chip and supporting BIOS. You can use a USB memory storage device instead of the TPM chip; however, USB memory does not support the secure boot functionality. It is also riskier, because users frequently carry their USB memory storage devices along with their portable computers.

Where can I get more information about data protection in Windows Vista?

More information about security and data protection in Windows Vista is available from the Windows Vista TechNet Center.

Visit the Windows Vista TechNet Center

What does it mean to have licensing rights to four virtual operating systems?

Customers who deploy Windows Vista Enterprise can install up to four copies of the operating system in a virtual machine for a single user on a single device. When paired with Virtual PC (available as a free download), this benefit provides the most economical way to address application compatibility and other scenarios through virtualization. Customers who do not deploy Windows Vista Enterprise and want to use the operating system in a virtual machine must purchase a license for every copy of Windows Vista that is installed in a virtual machine.

In what business scenarios would it be valuable to have rights for four additional operating systems for each user?

The addition of four virtual operating systems is designed to cover a number of customer scenarios. These include:

•	Application compatibility. This is valuable if you are migrating to Windows Vista and are running critical older applications that are not compatible with the new operating system.
•	Development and testing. Running several operating systems in virtual machines improves efficiency and reduces costs when you are testing and developing applications that run on various operating systems.
•	Training. You can set training scenarios on a variety of operating systems.
•	Help Desk support. Support technicians can use just one computer to solve problems for multiple operating systems and applications.
•	Downgrades. You can exercise your downgrade rights to run several different operating systems within virtual machines with Windows Vista Enterprise as the host.

How do I order the DVD Playback Pack?

Information about ordering the DVD Playback Pack is available on the product price list. You can also order it by through your Microsoft account representative.

What are the system requirements for the DVD Playback Pack?

For information about DVD Playback Pack system requirements, visit the Plug-ins for Windows Media Player Web site.

Go to the Plug-ins for Windows Media Player site

Where can I get more information about the DVD Playback Pack?

More information is available on the Windows Vista Web site.

Go to the Windows Vista for the Enterprise site

Can my organization obtain licenses for Windows Vista Ultimate?

If your organization is a Windows Vista Enterprise customer, you can obtain licenses for Windows Vista Ultimate. For every 100 Windows licenses covered by Software Assurance, you can obtain one Windows Vista Ultimate key. If your organization has 599 or fewer licenses, you can obtain five Windows Vista Ultimate keys.

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