Microsoft’s new Windows 7 operating system has six different versions - Starter, Home Basic, Home Premium, Professional, Ultimate, and Enterprise – which are apparently baffling the users, making it difficult for them to decide which version to go in for!

Going by Microsoft plans, the Windows 7 Starter version basically caters to the needs of low-end netbook devices; while the Home Basic version targets the emerging markets.

The Home Premium version is what Microsoft is projecting as its de facto version of Windows 7. By and large, it is the 64-bit Home Premium version that is the built in version for the systems being sold by Amazon and Best Buy.

However, though the Home Premium version is fairly good, it clearly lacks some of the essential security features and customization capabilities. As such, for home users desiring a complete array of new features and capabilities, the ideal version is Windows 7 Ultimate.

Microsoft has planned the Professional version of the OS for small and medium business (SMB) customers, and the Enterprise version for big corporate firms. However, due to Professional’s lack of features as well as enterprise capabilities, the Ultimate version would also perfectly suit the SMBs.

Ultimately, for meeting the specific needs of specific users, the six options can actually be narrowed down to three – the Starter version for netbooks; Enterprise for large corporate customers; and Ultimate for all other users!