Windows 7 “N” and “KN” Versions

13Feb10

When I was installing Windows 7 on my laptop, I noticed that, not only are there many significantly different versions of the OS (such as “Ultimate”, “Home Premium”, etc.), there also are more subtle differences. On the MSDN download page for Windows 7, there were N and KN versions of each type. I accidentally downloaded the N version, rather than the regular version, of Windows 7 Ultimate and installed it on my laptop. When I noticed that it said “N”, I assumed that there was a difference. I searched the Internet, initially finding little information, but finally, I found a post that explained just what these N and KN versions are.

Apparently, N and KN OS versions are distributions specifically for Europe. After multiple arguments with the European Union, Microsoft was forced to make such versions, with only one difference:  there weren’t any media players or programs from Microsoft installed. This can easily be remedied: Microsoft offers Windows Media Player and Windows Media Center as a download, entitled “Windows Media Format Feature Pack for Windows 7 N and Windows 7 KN (KB968212)”, on their site, located at http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?familyid=13BEB697-E897-40A8-81B5-C20A0529F599&displaylang=en.

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Tags: eu microsoft, europe, europe microsoft, microsoft, os, windows 7, windows 7 k, windows 7 kn, windows media, windows media center, windows media feature pack, windows media format feature pack, windows media player