Appendix A
Windows 10 editions and licensing options
Windows 10 editions at a glance
Editions for educational institutions
When Windows 10 was first released to the public in 2015, its lineup of editions was refreshingly simple. Since then, the list has expanded significantly. Each edition encompasses a specific set of features, sometimes coupled with licensing options and geographic restrictions.
Despite that seemingly confusing assortment, however, we suspect most of our readers will have no problem sorting through their choices. When you purchase a new PC through traditional retail channels, you’re likely to have a choice of two and only two editions: Home and Pro. (A new option, Windows 10 Pro for Workstations, is available only on powerful workstation-class hardware not normally found alongside conventional PCs.) Likewise, IT pros responsible for deployment of Windows PCs in large organizations typically upgrade PCs running Windows 10 Pro to some flavor of Windows 10 Enterprise; their choices are most often dictated by licensing agreements rather than individual features.
Note
As if the waters weren’t already muddy enough, Microsoft introduced a new edition of Windows in May 2017 and then, several months later, revised its strategy and effectively eliminated that edition. Microsoft announced Windows 10 S with some fanfare as part of the introduction of the Surface Laptop; this new edition was intended to be a subset of Windows 10 Pro, primarily for the education market (but probably attractive in some enterprise settings as well). As part of that launch event, some of Microsoft’s hardware partners announced lower-cost PCs also running Windows 10 S.
In 2018, Microsoft revised its strategy for this edition, relegating “S Mode” to the status of a feature available with multiple editions of Windows 10. On a Windows 10 PC running in S mode, configuration settings restrict installation of apps to those that are delivered through the Microsoft Store. Windows 10 in S mode also sets Microsoft Edge as the default browser and uses Bing as the default search engine. Neither setting can be changed. S mode can be disabled by going to Settings > Update & Security > Activation and choosing Switch To Windows 10 Home or Switch To Windows 10 Pro. That leads to the Microsoft Store and a Switch Out Of S Mode page. Note that this switch, once made, is irreversible.
The Windows 10 family also includes devices running Windows 10 Mobile, although Microsoft has stopped development of that variant and no longer manufactures or sells Windows smartphones. Windows 10 runs on the Xbox One gaming console and the HoloLens virtual reality headset, and sometime in the not-so-distant future, you might encounter the Windows 10 IoT (Internet of Things) edition, which is for use in specialized hardware such as automated teller machines and “smart” devices that lack a display. But our focus in this appendix is on the editions of Windows 10 designed for use on traditional PCs and PC-like devices such as tablets.
Windows 10 editions at a glance
Although the assortment of Windows editions might be confusing, their progression is, for the most part, consistent. Each edition contains all of the features of the previous edition, along with a set of unique features that you can evaluate to decide whether the cost of upgrading is justified.
In this section, we describe the core features included with Windows 10 Home and then describe the additional features included as part of each successive upgrade. You can use this information to decide whether to upgrade from Home to Pro when you’re shopping for a new PC, for example. You can also use this information to help decide which PCs on a corporate network should be upgraded to Enterprise edition using your organization’s volume license agreement or one of the newer subscription-based options.
We start with a brief discussion of hardware configurations. Table A-1 lists technical limits related to CPU and memory support that might affect your purchase or upgrade decision.
Table A-1 Supported hardware configurations in Windows 10
Hardware component |
Supported configurations |
Number of CPUs/cores |
Windows 10 Home: One physical processor. Windows 10 Pro, Enterprise, or Education: One or two physical processors. Windows 10 Pro for Workstations: Up to four physical processors. All editions support multicore processors, up to a maximum of 32 (x86) or 64 (x64) cores per physical processor. |
Addressable memory (RAM) |
32-bit (x86) editions: 4 GB maximum (because of 32-bit memory architecture, usable memory is typically 3.5 GB or less). 64-bit (x64) editions: 128 GB for Windows 10 Home; 2 TB for Windows 10 Pro, Enterprise, or Education; 6 TB for Windows 10 Pro for Workstations. |
For our discussion of specific editions, we start with those available preinstalled on new PCs and in retail channels. We follow that with editions available for deployment within large enterprises, organizations, and educational institutions.
Retail and OEM editions
Consumers and businesses that acquire Windows on a new device or as a retail upgrade typically have their choice of two editions: Windows 10 Home and Windows 10 Pro. Since the initial release of Windows 10, Microsoft has introduced one new retail/original equipment manufacturer (OEM) edition: Windows 10 Pro for Workstations.
Note
In some markets, you might find Single Language, KN, and N variations of the two retail and OEM editions. Using a Single Language version means you can’t install an additional language pack or change the base language unless you update to the full, language-neutral version. N versions are available in the European Union, and KN versions are offered in South Korea; both editions have had several media playback features removed as a result of legal proceedings between Microsoft and regulators in those jurisdictions. For most Windows installations in developed countries and regions, the standard Home and Pro editions are the preferred choices.
All these editions are available preinstalled on new PCs from original equipment manufacturers and are also available as retail products in shrink-wrapped boxes or as downloads from the Microsoft Store and third-party online stores.
Windows 10 Home
Windows 10 Home includes all the core features that we describe in detail in this book. That includes the complete Windows 10 user experience, with its customizable Start menu and taskbar, as well as the modern Settings app that offers access to system settings formerly included in Control Panel. It also includes the technical architecture of Windows 10: the NTFS file system, TCP/IP networking, power management, and the Windows Search index, as well as compatibility with virtually all software designed for Windows 10.
With the exception of some high-end configurations that include multiple processors and massive amounts of system memory, there’s no difference in hardware support between Windows 10 Home and higher editions. Any device that has a compatible Windows driver will work on Windows 10 Home, including multiple displays, touchscreens, and pens that support the Windows Ink platform.
Every edition of Windows receives security and feature updates through Windows Update, although the Home edition lacks some configuration options available in more advanced editions. Likewise, the security infrastructure of Windows 10 Home supports Trusted Platform Modules, Secure Boot, and Windows Hello biometric authentication. Some advanced security features, such as BitLocker Drive Encryption, require Pro or Enterprise editions.
And, of course, every edition of Windows 10 includes the same assortment of apps, including Microsoft Edge.
Windows 10 Pro
Windows 10 Pro includes the same core features as Windows 10 Home, with the addition of features that are primarily of interest to business users and corporate network administrators. All the features in the following list are also available in Enterprise and Education editions.
Client Hyper-V With proper hardware support, allows users to create a virtual machine (VM), install Windows or another operating system on the VM, and use it as if it was a separate physical device.
Language packs Changes the Windows 10 interface to add language packs and switch between languages for displaying menus, dialog boxes, and other elements.
Encrypting File System Enables strong encryption of files and folders on an NTFS-formatted volume.
BitLocker Drive Encryption Allows an entire drive to be encrypted, protecting its contents from unauthorized access if the computer is lost or stolen.
BitLocker To Go Encrypts data on removable media such as USB flash drives and external drives. (Devices running Windows 10 Home can read from and write to storage devices encrypted using this feature but cannot manage BitLocker To Go encryption.)
Domain join/Group Policy management Allows the device to join a Windows domain and be managed by using Active Directory and Group Policy.
Windows Information Protection Provides advanced control over data files, including encryption and remote wipe.
IE Mode for Microsoft Edge. Using network configuration files, administrators can define compatibility settings for sites accessed using Internet Explorer, including those on corporate intranets, enabling the continued use of older web apps that aren’t compatible with Microsoft Edge.
Remote Desktop (server) Allows remote access to the full Windows experience on the current PC; the connection is made over the network using Remote Desktop Protocol from a client program running on any Windows PC, Mac, or supported mobile device. (Devices running Windows 10 Home can connect to a PC that allows incoming Remote Desktop sessions, but can’t share its own resources in this fashion.)
Azure Active Directory support Allows a Windows 10 device to join Azure Active Directory, with a single sign-in to cloud-hosted apps.
Business Store for Windows 10 Allows an organization to provision apps and packaged Windows desktop programs in a restricted area of the Microsoft Store for installation by employees.
Windows Update for Business Allows central management of security updates and new features delivered through Windows Update, with the option to configure limited delays for quality updates and longer delays (up to one year) for feature updates.
Windows 10 Pro for Workstations
In 2017, Microsoft announced Windows 10 Pro for Workstations, a new edition that is intended for use on “server-grade hardware” that is much more powerful than the average desktop PC, typically with multiple CPUs and massive amounts of memory. By design, these workstations perform compute-intensive tasks such as computer-aided design and video rendering, which need hardware resources far beyond what even a high-end desktop PC can deliver.
The feature set for this edition is similar to that of Windows 10 Pro. Where it differs is in its hardware support.
Windows 10 Pro for Workstations includes support for devices with persistent memory (also known as non-volatile memory, or NVDIMM-N), the fastest data storage possible on workstations. It supports SMB Direct file transfers, over network adapters that use Remote Direct Memory Access (RDMA) for faster throughput and very low latency. As an alternative to the traditional NTFS file system, it supports the newer ReFS (Resilient File System), which is optimized for large data volumes spread over multiple physical disks.
Editions for organizations
Windows 10 Enterprise is available as an upgrade for PCs that already have an underlying license for Windows 10 Pro. Windows 10 Education provides equivalent features for large networks in academic environments (K-12 and university) and allows upgrades from Windows 10 Home or Pro editions. In the past, Enterprise updates required a Volume License agreement. Those agreements are still the primary means for acquiring an Enterprise license, but, as we discuss in this section, Microsoft has introduced new subscription options that make Enterprise upgrades available for small businesses and individuals.
Windows 10 Enterprise
The following list enumerates features that are available only in Windows 10 Enterprise editions. On corporate networks, you have the option to enable some additional features by upgrading to the Enterprise edition as part of a volume license agreement with Software Assurance.
Start menu customization Provides standard Start menu layouts defined by administrators and prevents users from altering the standard user experience.
AppLocker Enables administrators of enterprise networks to create an authorized list of programs that users can install and run.
Credential Guard Supports multifactor authentication using smart cards and biometric information.
Device Guard Allows organizations to lock down a Windows 10 device so that only approved apps and desktop programs can be installed or run, preventing the installation of most forms of malware and any unauthorized software.
Windows To Go Creator Allows the installation of Windows 10 Enterprise or Education on certified, high-performance USB drives that can boot and run in secure, self-contained mode, isolated from access by the host PC. (In early 2019, Microsoft announced it was no longer developing the Windows To Go feature, and the specialized hardware it requires is no longer available. The feature remains supported, however.)
Microsoft Defender for Endpoint (previously known as Microsoft Defender Advanced Threat Protection) Available only with Windows 10 Enterprise E5 and Microsoft 365 E5 subscriptions, provides detection of online threats and attacks.
BranchCache Increases network responsiveness of applications in environments running on Windows Server 2008 R2 and later.
DirectAccess Provides secure connections (without a virtual private network, or VPN) between a client PC running Windows 10 and a remote server running Windows Server 2008 R2 or newer.
Location-aware printing Helps domain-joined computers find the correct printer when a user moves between office and home networks.
Windows 10 Enterprise E3
Microsoft has expanded the availability of Windows 10 Enterprise upgrades through a subscription offering called Windows 10 Enterprise E3, available only through Microsoft partners who are part of the Cloud Service Providers program. The feature set for these editions is identical to Enterprise edition sold through volume license agreements. The most important distinction is that these subscription editions are tied to an Azure Active Directory account and can be installed on up to five PCs for each user.
Microsoft 365 E3 and E5
In 2020, Microsoft rebranded most of its Office 365 subscriptions as Microsoft 365. Two of the Microsoft 365 offerings (formerly Secure Productive Enterprise E3 and E5) include Windows 10 Enterprise as part of a package that also includes Office desktop apps and a variety of management, analytics, security, and compliance tools collectively branded Enterprise Mobility + Security. The Windows 10 portion of this package contains the same feature set as other Enterprise edition offerings.
Windows 10 Enterprise LTSB/LTSC
The Long Term Servicing Channel (LTSC) was previously known by the equally awkward moniker Long Term Servicing Branch (LTSB). Microsoft releases new versions of Windows 10 to the Long Term Servicing Channel every two to three years. The two most recent releases in this channel are Windows 10 Enterprise LTSB 2016 and Windows 10 Enterprise LTSC 2019, which was released in October 2018.
Despite the name change, the product is the same at its core. Each LTSB/LTSC release contains the same features as other editions from the same release cycle, with two noteworthy exceptions:
LTSB/LTSC releases do not receive feature updates through Windows Update.
These releases do not contain many in-box applications that are included with other editions, including Microsoft Edge, Microsoft Store, Cortana (limited search capabilities remain available), Mail, Calendar, OneNote, Weather, Microsoft News, Photos, Camera, Groove Music, and Alarms & Clock.
Deploying this edition allows administrators to limit deployment of new features in Windows 10, installing reliability and security updates only; this feature is designed for use on specialized equipment in mission-critical environments and is available only in Enterprise edition.
Editions for educational institutions
At schools and other institutions of learning, administrators can enable advanced features by upgrading to Windows 10 Pro Education and Windows 10 Education. These specialized editions provide education-specific default settings but are otherwise essentially equivalent to the Pro and Enterprise editions.
Administrators in education environments can provision new devices with the Set Up School PCs app or Windows Configuration Designer. They can also deliver “digital assessments” with the Take A Test app; see https://docs.microsoft.com/education/windows/take-tests-in-windows-10. These features work with all desktop Windows 10 editions except Windows 10 Home.
Institutions that have deployed Windows 10 Pro and Enterprise in managed environments can configure the product to have similar feature settings to Windows 10 Pro Education and Windows 10 Education using Group Policy settings.
For specific details about these Windows 10 editions and configuration options, see https://bit.ly/win10-education.
Windows 10 Education
According to Microsoft’s official documentation, “Windows 10 Education is effectively a variant of Windows 10 Enterprise that provides education-specific default settings. These default settings disable tips, tricks and suggestions & Microsoft Store suggestions.” It is available only through Volume Licensing channels.
Windows 10 Pro Education
This edition is effectively a variant of Windows 10 Pro that provides education-specific default settings similar to those in Windows 10 Education. It is available on new devices purchased with discounted K-12 academic licenses through OEM partners. (These discounted licenses are sometimes referred to as National Academic or Shape the Future.) This edition is also available through Volume Licensing channels.