Microsoft launched Windows 10 back in 2015. From that moment, users got the opportunity to upgrade their devices to this distribution for free if they had previously used Windows 7 or later. Also on sale are new PCs with preinstalled OS 10.
Later there was a “shell” of this series for phones, Xbox game consoles and other devices. The first types of Windows 10 were designed for computers, laptops and tablets (for devices with a screen size of 8 inches or more).
Four versions of the new PC operating system initially appeared: Home, Pro, Enterprise, and Education. In 2017, several more variants of this distribution were released.
New Shell Features
Microsoft representatives described in detail the differences between the versions of the new OS even before it entered the market. All system options include a new menu (Windows 10 classic Start view) and an Edge web browser, as well as Cortana personal assistant software, support for new security features, including face and fingerprint recognition. Also available everywhere are the possibilities of using a virtual desktop and a continuous transition from PC to tablet mode when you disconnect the keyboard.
If you touch on business functions, everything looks a little different. Windows 10 Home does not support BitLocker encryption, Windows Remote Desktop, Group Policy Management, corporate data protection, or some other features that require Pro and others.
In the meantime, Enterprise users get some features not available for Windows 10 Pro, including AppLocker, To Go Creator, Credential Guard, and Device Guard.
For the most part, the Education version is the same as Enterprise. It is simply intended for use in the educational field, and not in business.
One feature only available for Enterprise is the Long Term Service Branch. This means that enterprise customers can delay Windows updates that provide new features for years, while continuing to receive security updates.
It is worth noting the following. Although upgrading your device to Windows 10 will result in some new features, you will also lose some of the features that were available in earlier versions of the OS. Built-in support for DVD playback is no longer present, but you can install third-party video players that can handle this format. In addition, Windows Media Center is also unavailable for dozens distribution.
Types of Windows 10 and their differences
Today, Windows 10 has twelve releases with various sets of features, capabilities, or specifications for specific devices. Some publications apply only to devices directly from the manufacturer, while other OS options (such as Enterprise and Education) are available only through volume licensing channels. Microsoft also introduced Windows 10 for use on certain classes of devices, including smartphones (Windows 10 Mobile) and IoT devices. It is advisable to compare all types of Windows 10 and the differences between them starting with the most common versions.
A variation of 10 Home is intended for use on PCs, tablets and 2-in-1 PCs. This version includes all the necessary functions and features aimed at non-professional consumers.
Windows 10 Pro has additional features focused on the business environment and experienced users. By operating capabilities and characteristics, this OS is equivalent to Windows 8.1 Pro. It has the standard look of Windows 10, and its features are expressed in the presence of additional professional applications and services.
Corporate Editions
These releases of Windows 10 contain special features designed to facilitate the centralized management of many OS installations within an organization. The main source of their acquisition is a corporate licensing contract with Microsoft.
Windows 10 Enterprise provides all the features of 10 Pro with additional features designed to work in IT organizations. This OS is functionally equivalent to Windows 8.1 Enterprise.
Windows 10 Education is distributed through academic volume licensing. It was originally reported that it has the same feature set as Enterprise. However, it offers slightly less features.
In July 2016, Education Pro was released, intended for hardware partners on new devices purchased with a K-12 academic license discount. This version of the OS contains the “Configure Training Computers” application, which allows you to configure settings using a USB flash drive. Education Pro does not include Cortana, Windows Store, or Spotlight.
Enterprise LTSB is a long-term view of Windows 10 Enterprise, which plans to be released every 2-3 years. It is supported by security updates for 10 years after release, and will not intentionally receive any feature updates. Some features, including the Windows Store and related applications, are not included in this publication. The release of this version in 2019 is expected to be called Windows 10 Enterprise LTSC.
Windows 10 Mobile Enterprise provides all the features of the Mobile version with additional features that help IT-based organizations in the same way as Enterprise, but exclusively for mobile devices.
Separate device releases
These types of Windows 10 are licensed only to device manufacturers. The main way to get these OS options is to buy a certain device (for example, a smartphone), but which system is pre-installed.
Windows 10 Mobile is designed for smartphones and small tablets. It includes all major consumer features, including Continuum capabilities. De facto, this is a follower of Windows Phone 8.1 and RT.
The IoT version is designed specifically for use on small sites, low-cost devices, and IoT scenarios. This is a rebranded version of Microsoft's early embedded operating system, Windows Embedded. Three releases have already been announced: IoT Core, IoT Enterprise, and IoT Mobile Enterprise.
Version S
Windows 10 S is a limited version of Windows 10, designed primarily for devices with limited capabilities in the education market. It has a faster initial setup and login process, and a generally simplified view of Windows 10. In addition, this version allows you to configure devices using a USB drive with the app "Configure training computers."
Windows 10 S allows the installation of software (both the Universal Platform and API applications) from the Windows Store, although command-line or shell programs are not allowed.
System settings are locked, Microsoft Edge is set as the default web browser, with Bing as the search engine. The operating system can be upgraded to Windows 10 Pro for a fee to provide unlimited software installation. All 10 S devices contain a free one-year subscription to Minecraft: Education Edition. Critics compared the publication to Windows RT and called it a competitor to Chrome OS.
In March 2018, Microsoft announced the phasing out of Windows 10 S, citing confusion between manufacturers and end users. The company plans to replace this publication with an opportunity for suppliers to release devices on versions of Home or Pro in "S Mode", where by default it is allowed to install applications from the Windows Store with free disabling of restrictions.
Highly specialized versions
What are the highly specialized types of Windows 10 and their differences?
In addition to the main OS versions, the developers presented several options unknown to a wide range of users. They are designed to work on some well-defined devices and to solve individual problems. What are the other versions of Windows 10 besides the above?
Team Windows 10 Team is a version designed for devices that boot into the Surface Hub.
On August 10, 2017, Microsoft announced the release of Pro for Workstations in September, along with the Fall Creators update for Windows 10. This version is designed for high-performance equipment for intensive computing tasks. It supports Intel Xeon or AMD Opteron processors. Other device requirements include up to 6 TB of RAM, a ReFS file system, Non (non-volatile dual linear memory module (NVDIMM)), and remote direct memory access (RDMA). On December 15, 2017, this version was pre-installed on two Dell workstations. Windows 10 Home, Pro, and S views can upgrade to this version. This version, in turn, can be configured before Pro Education, Enterprise, or Education.
System options for different countries
As in previous versions of Windows, starting with XP, all releases of Windows 10 for PC hardware have variations of "N" and "KN" oriented to Europe and South Korea, which exclude some related multimedia functions, including media players and related them components, in order to comply with antitrust regulations. How to configure Windows 10 in a classic look to get full access to multimedia?
The Media Feature Pack functionality can be installed to restore these features. As with Windows 8.1, a low-cost version 10 with Bing is available for OEMs. It is provided in cases where the search engine from Microsoft is installed by default, and cannot be changed to another search engine. The version is intended primarily for low-cost devices, and is otherwise identical to Windows 10 Home.
The Microsoft OEM licensing formula takes into account screen size, RAM, and storage capacity. In general, this version has the standard look of Windows 10.
In May 2017, it was reported that Microsoft, as part of its partnership with China Electronics Technology Group, created a specially modified version of Enterprise, intended for use in branches of the Chinese government. This option is preconfigured to “remove features that are not needed by Chinese government officials,” and allows you to use your own internal encryption algorithms. Changing the look of Windows 10 is not available in this case.
Free update
During the launch of the 10th version of the OS, Microsoft representatives announced that users of Windows 7 (with Service Pack 1), 8 and 8.1 can upgrade to 10 for free if the update occurs within one year from the date of its release. RT and related corporate releases of OS 7, 8, and 8.1 were excluded from this offer.
New releases of Windows 10, called feature updates, are released twice a year as a free update for existing users. Each update contains new features and other changes in the operating system. The rate of change with which the system receives feature updates depends on the release branch from which the OS downloads updates. The main types of versions of Windows 10 - Pro, Enterprise and Education - can additionally use a branch that receives updates at a slower pace. These modes can be controlled through system settings, Windows Server Update Services (WSUS), Windows Business Update, Group Policy, or through mobile device management systems such as Microsoft Intune.
Windows insider
Windows Insider is a beta testing program that allows you to access pre-release versions of Windows 10. It is designed to allow experienced users, developers, and vendors to test and provide feedback on future feature updates for Windows 10 as they are developed. Insider itself consists of three “rings” - Fast (which receive new assemblies as they are released), Slow (which receives them when delayed after deployment for Fast Ring users) and Release Preview.
Semiannual channel (target)
A semi-annual channel (Targeted), formerly known as Current Branch (CB), distributes all feature updates when they complete a Windows Insider check. Microsoft only supports the latest version. In this case, additional settings are provided to pause or postpone feature updates for a certain period of time. It is worth noting that they are not available in Windows 10 Home.
Semi-annual business channel
The six-month business channel, formerly known as Current Branch for Business (CBB), distributes feature updates with a four-month delay over the target. This allows customers and suppliers to evaluate innovations and perform additional checks before the wide release. At any time, devices can be switched back to the target channel.
Long Term Service Channel (LTSB)
This thread is available exclusively for the release of Windows 10 Enterprise LTSB, and it distributes new editions that are updated every 2-3 years. LTSB designs adhere to Microsoft's traditional support policy, which was in effect prior to version 10: the OS is not provided with new features, but is only supported by critical updates for 10 years after the release. They do not affect the Windows Store, most of the features of Cortana and additional applications (including Microsoft Edge).