Windows 7 Starter Edition AND 3 Applications Limit

s we all know Windows 7 Starter Edition contains 3 applications limit, i.e. you can't run more than 3 applications simultaneously. But is it really true? It seems so. In Windows 7 starter edition, if you try to run a new program and 3 programs are already running, you get following message:

Our friend Paul Thurrott investigates more into this issue and finds some interesting info as stated below:

You will often have far more than three applications running before you see it. How is that?
One theory is that the built-in applications don't count, or perhaps its just Explorer-based apps. For example, you can launch SnagIt (third party app), WMP, and IE 8, and then launch Paint. No problem. The, launch WordPad. No complaints. Windows Anytime Upgrade.
But if you try to launch Windows Fax and Scan at this point ... bam. Or Windows Live Photo Gallery. Blocked. But launch Windows Explorer? No complaints. It starts right up.
OK, let's start over.
No apps are running. Launch, in order, SnagIt, Windows Live Photo Gallery, Windows Live Movie Maker, and then Windows Fax and Scan. No problem. That's four apps right there. Now launch IE 8 ... nope, it's blocked. But Windows Explorer will run. So will Windows Anytime Update. WMP? No.
Oh, and ESET NOD32 is running in the background the whole time.

So it seems you can have more than 3 applications running simultaneously in Windows 7 Starter Edition which is a good thing to know. Isn't it?

Posted in: win 7