Windows 10 is faster, more secure, and more future-proof than Windows 7 and 8.1, and has some cool new innovations and apps that’ll help you have more fun and get more work done. Microsoft planned seven regular Windows 10 versions, four of which are intended for the PC, and today we’ll show you the differences between them and whether you need Windows 10 Home, Pro, Enterprise, or Education.

What is the best Windows 10 edition for my specific needs?

Why should you choose Windows 10?

It is clear that Microsoft wanted to cover all bases when started developing Windows 10. There’s an edition for each and everyone’s needs, be it home users, schools or universities, small or big companies. Also called the standard version of Windows 10, this edition is a popular one being that it runs on the vast majority of computers, notebooks, as well as tablets. Windows 10 Home offers users all core functions and is in itself a complete operating system so if you use your device mostly for browsing online, streaming, social media, paying your bills, and watching Netflix, Windows 10 Home might be the right choice for you. And if you’re worried about malware, you’ll be happy to know that this edition comes with built-in security features that include antivirus, firewall, and internet protections. Moreover, Windows 10 Home edition introduces you to Windows Hello, a feature that’ll scan your face or fingerprint for a more fast and secure way to unlock your device. Let’s see what some of its best features are:

Built-in Outlook, Cortana voice assistant, Microsoft Edge, and OneNote The option to sync with your Galaxy phone, PC, and OneDrive Focus assist to block notifications, sounds, and alerts Built-in security Parental controls Password-free functionality A customizable timeline Microsoft Photos Instantly stream live gameplay Accessibility tools and features for people who are blind, color blind, or have low vision

The Pro Edition also offers additional features such as domain join, group policy management, remote desktop, the Business Store for Windows 10, Enterprise Data Protection, BitLocker, and other advanced management and security functions. One of the most notable features of this edition is that users can now access the Windows Update for Business, which gives IT administrators the option to keep the Windows 10 devices in their organization always up to date with the latest security defenses and Windows features. Windows 10 Pro is aimed primarily at smaller companies and professional users. At most, the remote desktop and BitLocker drive encryption should be of interest to home users. Let’s take a look at some of the key features:

BitLocker for better data encryption and security management Remote login that enables you to log in to your work PC from home Hyper-V, good for using multiple virtual machines on one PC Protection from fileless based attacks Device Control (e.g. USB) Application Control Windows Hello for Business Integrated with Microsoft Information Protection Windows Insider Program for Business Windows Information Protection (WIP)

Windows 10 Enterprise, in turn, is based on Windows 10 Pro with additional features to assist with IT-based organizations and is aimed at larger companies. It is sold to them as a volume license and offers additional functions which, among other things, control the operating system distribution in the company as well as device and app management.  With the Enterprise version, companies also have access to Microsoft’s Long Term Servicing Branch. This is a special form of Windows update that only installs security updates and does not add any functions in Windows. Let’s have a look at what its main features are:

Credential Protection Endpoint Detection and Response Unified Write Filter (UWF) 30-months of support for September targeted releases Windows 10 Long Term Service Channel Desktop Analytics Windows Virtual Desktop Use Rights Microsoft User Experience Virtualization (UE-V) Microsoft Application Virtualization (App-V)

This edition is available through academic Volume Licensing and was designed as a low-cost way to provide university and school staff and students with Windows 10. What is important to remember is that pupils and students are able to upgrade to Windows 10 Education if they use Windows 10 Home or Pro at home. Windows 10 Education has similar features to Windows Pro:

Microsoft Learning Tools Microsoft Whiteboard Windows Hello sign-in Remote Desktop Connection Windows Update for Business AppLocker User Experience Control Start Screen Control (with GPO)

All versions of Windows 10 offer you modern functions, high performance, constant security through regular updates, reliable compatibility with peripheral devices, and a large variety of apps. Note that apps like Mail, Calendar, Music, Video, Maps, are already included in every edition of Windows 10. Also, if you ever wondered how many apps are available in the Microsoft Store, our article has the answer you’re looking for. The OS not only offers high-performance operation but also a stable mode of operation, so your apps will work great in all modes, on all Windows-enabled devices. Speaking of, did you know that more than 1 billion people use Windows 10 as their OS? Take a look at what Microsoft corporate vice president Yusuf Mehdi wrote in the announcement: SPONSORED The digital voice assistant Cortana and Microsoft’s Internet browser Edge, which used to be known as Spartan if you can believe it, are also at your disposition to help you navigate your device easier. If you want to experience the latest in Windows technology you need to get yourself a Windows 10 upgrade.

Which of the editions provides better security?

All Windows 10 editions provide real-time protection against threats from malicious apps and ransomware with Windows Defender. The program protects your PC from fileless based attacks, has a low resource consumption and it doesn’t draw attention to itself with gimmicky messages that are intended to justify the relevance of the program. Windows Defender doesn’t need anything like purchase requests or hints about a license usage time that will soon end because Microsoft doesn’t charge any money for it. Also, you get ongoing updates from the cloud, so you’ll always be up-to-date to fight the latest threats. But if you want to know what edition provides the best security, against malware and hackers, you need to take into consideration that Windows 10 Pro, Enterprise, and Education also contain the encryption technology Bitlocker. You can use it to encrypt a Windows boot drive or drives, for example. USB sticks and external drives can also be conveniently and easily encrypted using Bitlocker.  With Bitlocker, all information and data stored on the computer is conveniently protected. You just have to log into Windows 10 and then have full access. In the background, Windows 10 automatically decrypts the files as soon as you access them. If the device is stolen or a stranger gains access to the computer, he will not be able to access the data.

What are some of the best features?

A really great feature that’s included in all Windows 10 Editions is the Tips app. Here you can find videos and simple step-by-step tutorials on timesaving shortcuts, Windows 10 basics, tips for remote learning and ways to get organized. Microsoft also provides the Remote Desktop Connection application in both Windows 10 Home and Windows 10 Pro. The complete remote desktop support offered by Windows 10 Pro is useful if, for example, you want to have full access to the computer at work from home. Hyper-V is particularly interesting for Windows professionals. However, the virtualization technology is only included in Windows 10 Pro.  With Hyper-V, a program or operating system can be tested in a secure environment and you can easily run guest operating systems as virtual machines in a window. Get more control over updates: Under Windows 10 Home, you can receive the updates immediately and you can delay the installation for a short time.  On the other hand, in Windows 10 Pro, you can decide in much more detail whether and when you want to receive which Windows updates.  It has often happened that a new Windows 10 update has proven to be faulty and subsequently had to be uninstalled after struggling with problems.  In Windows 10 Pro, you can simply wait a few days after the update is available and only install it when it is clear that the update is OK. Microsoft also introduced the Windows Defender Application Guard function for Windows 10 Pro, after the function was previously only available for the business version of Windows 10.  With WDAG you can use the Microsoft browser in a sandbox and surf in a completely secure environment. Only extensions may not be used and the favorites created are not adopted in the secured variant. And for all the gamers out there, there’s also an Xbox app in all Windows 10 editions. The Xbox app works together with Xbox Live for cross-platform play and all game data flows together there.

What Windows 10 edition is right for me?

For the majority of Windows users, Windows 10 Home is the preferred version. For advanced users and IT professionals, Windows 10 Pro and Windows 10 Enterprise are more suitable. Windows 10 Education is interesting for schoolchildren and students as you can upgrade from a Home and Pro version to the Education version provided your educational institution supports it. What is also notable is that there’s also a Windows 10 Pro for Workstations edition that was developed for people with advanced data needs such as data scientists, CAD professionals, researchers, media production teams, graphic designers, and animators. Which Windows 10 is right for you depends entirely on whether you want to use the operating system mainly for leisure or for work. Now that you have all the information, what will it be? Home, Pro, Enterprise, or Education? Let us know in the comments section below.

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