Official: Microsoft drops three-app limit in Windows 7 Starter Edition

Microsoft has confirmed the recent rumour that it is to ditch the three-application limit in Windows 7 Starter Edition. This issue has been one of the biggest criticisms this particular Windows 7 SKU has faced and it appears that Microsoft has been listening to the chorus of disapproval.

“We are also going to enable Windows 7 Starter customers the ability to run as many applications simultaneously as they would like, instead of being constricted to the 3 application limit that the previous Starter editions included,” said Brandon LeBlanc on the Windows 7 Blog.

However, before you get too excited, this version is still called a ‘Starter Edition’ and therefore there will be a number of features absent. Windows 7 Starter does not include:

• Personalization features for changing desktop backgrounds, window colours, or sound schemes.
• Aero Glass, meaning you can only use the “Windows Basic” or other opaque themes. It also means you do not get Taskbar Previews or Aero Peek.
• The ability to switch between users without having to log off.
• Multi-monitor support.
• DVD playback.
• Windows Media Center for watching recorded TV or other media.
• Remote Media Streaming for streaming your music, videos, and recorded TV from your home computer.
• Domain support for business customers.
• XP Mode for those that want the ability to run older Windows XP programs on Windows 7.

Whilst I can understand many of those features absent, I really do not understand the need to restrict users to personalise their desktop. Obviously, Microsoft is looking to try and up-sell more expensive Windows 7 SKUs, but not being able to change your desktop wallpaper seems ridiculous.