Do you know how many exactly Windows 10 editions that exist in real word? I bet most people would say 4 or 5(for Win10 Home / Win10 Pro / Win10 Ent /Win10 Edu / Win10 Mobile ). No, that’s not entirely true. Actually there are 8 of Windows 10 editions that exists with their derivations. Let me share you with my notes for MD-100 to find out all of Windows 10 editions with their unique features.
The following is a map with all Windows 10 editions at a higher view:
Let’s take a deep look at each of these editions with their shipped own features. (note, the feature with luminous vivid orange mark means that’s the exclusive features.)
Windows 10 Home
This editions is widely used around the world and primarily designed for home users. With Windows 10 Home it shipped with all basic Windows features also with:
- Windows Hello
- Device encryption => Only EFS
- Firewall and network protection
- Internet protection
- Parental controls / protection
- Secure Boot
- Windows Defender Antivirus
- Digital pen & touch => Windows Ink
- Microsoft Edge
- Cortana
- Battery saver mode
- Virtual Desktops
- Continuum Table Mode for touch-capable device
- Build-in UWP apps
- Support maximum 128GB of RAM
- Cannot control Windows feature and quality updates, received and installed automatically
Windows 10 Pro
Primarily for small business and helps to effectively and efficiently manage device and apps, also protect their sensitive business data.
- BitLocker Drive Encryption & BitLocker To Go
- Windows Information Protection (WIP)
- Mobile device management
- Group Policy
- Windows Hello for Business
- Enterprise State Roaming with Azure
- Microsoft Store for Business
- Assigned Access
- Dynamic Provisioning
- Windows Update for Business
- Kiosk mode setup
- Support for Active Directory
- Support for Azure Active Directory
- Client Hyper-V
- Storage Spaces
- Enterprise Mode for Internet Explorer 11
- Remote Server Administration Tools for Windows 10
- Support for 2 CPUs and maximum 2TB of RAM
- Updates are provided by Windows Update for Business. This provides control over when and how device can receive Windows feature and quality updates.
Windows 10 Pro for Workstations
This is a new editions of Windows that Microsoft announced in August 10 2017. It unique support for server grade hardware and designed to meet demanding needs of mission critical and intensive workloads.
- ReFS(Resilient file system)
- Persistent memory => support NVDIMM-N hardware
- Faster file sharing => SMB Direct
- Expanded hardware support => support high-end configuration with server grade Intel Xeon and AMD Opteron processors, up to 4CPUs, and maximum with 6TB of RAM.
Windows 10 Enterprise
Builds upon of Windows 10 Pro, adding advanced features designed to meet the demands of medium and large sized organizations.
- Always On VPN
- DirectAccess
- Windows To Go
- BranchCache
- AppLocker
- Application Virtualization (App-V)
- Can access Long Term Service Channel
- Desktop Analytics
- Credential Protection
- User Experience Virtualization (UE-V)
- Unified Write Filter (UWF)
- 30 months of support for September targeted release (now named with year and month pattern YYMM, e.g. Win10 Pro 20H2 )
- Windows Virtual Desktop Use Rights (Access with Azure VMs)
Window 10 Enterprise LTSC (f.k.a LTSB)
The Long Term Servicing Channel of Windows 10 Enterprise is not intended for deployment on most or all the PCs in an organization. Rather it is designed to be used only for specialized devices (which typically don’t run MS Office products) such as ATMs or medical equipment. Devices on this channel receive new feature release every two to three years.
- Receive feature updates every 2-3 years
- Support each LTSC release for 10years lifecycle
- Does not contain any of components that may change over the life of the release.(e.g. Edge/Cortana/OneNote etc.)
Windows 10 Education
Starting from Windows 10 v1607 (Anniversary Update) introduces with 2 editions designed for institutions: Windows 10 Pro Education and Windows 10 Education (Building on Windows 10 Enterprise) Offered with the same functionality and safety features demanded by business and education customers.
- Having 2 edition with Windows 10 Pro Education & Windows 10 Education (build on Enterprise)
- Only available through Academic volume Licensing agreements
- Cortana is disabled in both Pro Education an Education editions
Windows 10 Mobile
Designed to deliver the best customer experience to business customer on smartphone and small tablets. End of support on December 10 2019 already with no more security updates.
- Having 2 edition with Windows 10 Mobile & Windows 10 Mobile Enterprise(Enterprise only available through Volume Licensing)
- Windows 10 Mobile version 1709 is the last release of Windows 10 Mobile and end support on Dec 10th 2019(including Windows 10 Mobile & Windows 10 Mobile Enterprise)
Windows 10 in S mode
Windows 10 in S mode is designed for security and performance, exclusively running apps from the Microsoft Store. S mode was introduced with Windows 10 v1804 update. If you want to install an app that isn’t available in the Microsoft Store, you’ll need to switch out of S mode. Switching out of S mode is one-way. After you make the switch you won’t be able to go back to Windows 10 in S mode. (There is not charge to switch out of S mode)
- Only can run apps from Microsoft Store
- Switching out of S mode is one-way choice
- S mode available in: Windows 10 Home in S mode / Windows 10 Pro in S mode / Windows 10 Enterprise in S mode / Windows Education in S Mode
- AAD domain join only available for Windows 10 Pro in S mode & Windows 10 Enterprise in S mode
- On-premise domain join is not available in S mode for any edition of Windows
- Microsoft Edge is always the default web browser and Bing as default search engine
Btw, Windows 10 in S mode usually was deployed from OEM at factory and once you choose switching out of S mode there is no way you can go back. (But technically speaking, you do can deploy S mode on your own it just a little be tedious. if I can find some time then I’ll share with your guys in details)
