Microsoft has announced that Windows 7 Starter edition will have features not previously found on starter editions of Windows XP and Windows Vista. According to Microsoft, previous starter versions of Windows only allowed users to run three programs simultaneously. The three program limit didn’t count background applications, wireless, Bluetooth, and system tools.

Microsoft points out that the expanded capabilities of Windows 7 starter edition will make the starter version attractive to netbook users, but the starter version isn’t the only version that will operate on netbooks.

Microsoft's Brandon LeBlanc wrote in a blog post that, "[Microsoft has] decided to make some changes compared to previous Starter editions."

He continued writing, "For the first time, we will be making Windows 7 Starter available worldwide on small notebook PCs. 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 three application limit that the previous Starter editions included. We believe these changes will make Windows 7 Starter an even more attractive option for customers who want a small notebook PC for very basic tasks, like browsing the web, checking email and personal productivity."

Windows 7 Starter won’t include some of the basic features found in other versions of Windows 7 according to LeBlanc. Among the notable features that will be missing from the most basic version of Windows 7 are Aero Glass, personalization features, the ability to switch between users without having to log off, multi monitor support, DVD playback, Windows Media Center, Remote Media Streaming, domain support, and XP mode.

Users wanting all the features will need to opt for a more robust version of Windows 7. LeBlanc wrote, "Many of our beta users have installed Windows 7 Ultimate on their small notebook PCs and have given us very positive feedback on their experience."

Last week Microsoft unveiled a touch pack for Windows 7 that will make touch capable netbooks and notebooks better suited to touch control.