Specifically, within Windows 10, although Microsoft is responsible for creating some regional variations or specific versions, generally versions are divided into four: Home, Pro, Enterprise and Education editions. For private users, it is quite common to hesitate between choosing the Home or Pro version of Windows 10, so it is interesting to know the differences between all of them.
Windows 10 Home, Pro, Enterprise, or Education? These are the differences between them.
As we mentioned, in this case among the four they form the most popular editions of the Windows 10 operating system, so there are usually certain important doubts when deciding on one or the other.
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Main differences between each edition of Windows 10
As we mentioned, although it is true that there are some differences between each editionThe truth is that on many occasions users with the Home version of the operating system have more than enough. However, in certain circumstances it may be necessary to update. Next we comment some of the most significant differences when selecting one edition or another:
- Maximum RAM memory: It should not be a problem for most private users, but in some cases, such as companies or servers, it can be. In the Home version of Windows 10, a maximum of 128 GB of RAM can be used, while in the Pro, Enterprise and Education editions the limit is 2 TB of RAM, in all cases speaking of the 64 editions bits.
- BitLocker and professional tools– The ability to use BitLocker disk encryption, as well as some professional Windows tools such as Hyper-V, enterprise data protection, domain join or update customization, is limited to users of the Pro, Enterprise and Education editions, excluding Home version users.
- Remote Desktop: This is a function to be able to connect remotely from one computer to another through the network. Although it is true that regardless of the edition you will be able to connect to another computer, if you are a user of the Home version, you will not be able to allow incoming connections from other computers, or the use of remote applications.
- Microsoft Edge and Cortana: Another section that may be interesting goes through the use of Edge, Microsoft’s browser, and Cortana, the virtual assistant. These two system functions are included in all editions, with the exception of Windows 10 LTSB (Enterprise), an edition that does not include such regular updates either.
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Comparison table between the functions of each edition
As we mentioned, the main differences between Windows 10 editions that can make users opt for one version or another have already been discussed. However, if you want some more in-depth details, these are the most specific differences between each version:
| Edition | home | Pro | Enterprise | Education |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Type of license | OEM, Retail | OEM, Retail, Volume | Volume | Volume |
| Edition N? | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Maximum RAM | 128GB (64-bit) | 2 TB (64-bit) | 2 TB (64-bit) | 2 TB (64-bit) |
| Telemetry | Basic | Basic | Safe | Safe |
| Cortana | Yes | Yes | Yes, except LTSB | Yes |
| Hardware encryption | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Edge | Yes | Yes | Yes, except LTSB | Yes |
| Multiple languages | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile support | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Virtual desks | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Windows Hello | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Windows Spotlight | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Remote Desktop | Customer only | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Remote apps | Customer only | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Windows Subsystem for Linux | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Hyper-V | Not | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| BitLocker | Not | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Deferred updates | Not | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Possibility of joining a domain | Not | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Business data protection | Not | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Windows Update for Business | Not | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| AppLocker | Not | Not | Yes | Yes |
| Credential guard | Not | Not | Yes | Yes |
| Windows to Go | Not | Not | Yes | Yes |
| LTSB Edition | Not | Not | Yes | Not |
| Possibility to upgrade to Pro | Yes | Not | Not | Yes |
| Ability to upgrade to Enterprise | Not | Yes | Not | Not |
| Ability to upgrade to Education | Yes | Not | Not | Not |
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With all this, it should be noted that most home users will have more than enough with the Home version of Windows 10. Only in some specific cases will an update to a higher edition be necessary.
