Who would have thought, but almost a year has passed since the release date of Windows 10. Hundreds of millions of users have already acquired the new operating system, even if some of them did not purchase licenses, but downloaded original images from the Microsoft website or peer-to-peer networks, or custom builds from the same torrent trackers. Despite this, many are wondering how Windows 10 differs in various editions and which one should be installed on a home computer used for work, study, entertainment or spending time on the Internet? Today we’ll look at how the editions of Windows 10 differ and take a closer look at the Pro version, which is the most widespread.

Windows 10 versions

Let's start our introduction with the simplest edition of the "ten" edition, designed for home use - Home. It supports all the basic functions a user needs for comfortable work and can be upgraded to Education, a version of Windows designed for education. Compared to Pro, Home supports a smaller variety of networks and updates.

Corporate or Enterprise – designed for use in running medium and large businesses. It has advanced capabilities for working with the cloud, is characterized by compliance with strict standards for protecting corporate data and the presence of its own Update Business update center.

Pro is a slightly simplified Enterprise, the target audience of which is small businesses and offices.

In addition to these, Microsoft also released mobile Windows with the Mobile prefix, designed for a narrow range of portable devices. It was developed for employees of companies that use Windows for business, and at the same time, owners of smartphones. The main purpose is to access the company’s network and documents remotely.

Differences between the professional edition of Windows 10

The Pro upgrade is available to all Windows 7 SP1 users and people who paid for Windows 8.

The advantages of Pro over Home are:

• support for a large number of different devices with the possibility of advanced management of them;
• reliable mechanisms for encrypting data during its transmission over enterprise networks;
• support for an expanded list of network standards;
• gives the opportunity to install more updates;
• advanced functions for remote management and access to office documents and printers;
• working with cloud services.

All these and other less important functions help to simplify the way you do business with regard to the processing, compilation and exchange of electronic documents. Despite the slight differences between Pro and Enterprise, the former quite copes with almost all the functions related to running a medium-sized business. And with skillful use and solving certain problems using specialized software, it is quite possible to run a large business with Windows 10 Pro on company computers.

We should also mention support for an update branch called Current Branch. They focus on improving and updating security components and systems, the stability, reliability and successful operation of which directly affects the conduct of business. Also in Pro, an additional branch of long-term updates appears - Long Term Servicing Branch - the user or administrator is free to independently specify the order of updates from the Windows Update service, their type, set the execution time and even specify an unlimited period for deferring them.

Additional features that Windows 10 Pro has, unlike the Home edition:

• upgrade to Enterprise for a small fee;
• Windows Store support for corporate clients;
• joining Active Directory with shared login to cloud applications;
• Remote desktop support, group policy management;
• implementation of BitLocker and Hyper-V technologies.

Purchasing Windows 10 Professional

Regarding ways to get Windows 10 Pro. The retail price of the operating system, to put it mildly, leaves much to be desired. If you want to save on purchasing the Professional version of Ten, consider purchasing Windows 7 or 8.1 with the possibility of further updates, and then upgrade to Ten. More than one user has already taken advantage of this opportunity to save tens of dollars and received the same result.

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Each version of Windows exists in several editions (releases). The older versions produced in the 90s had significantly fewer of them. The evolution of the operating system, Microsoft's adaptation to the modern market, as well as other circumstances have led to the emergence of new varieties of Windows. The latest version 10 is the leader in terms of their number. There are a huge variety of its distributions - both functional editions and assemblies that record one or another state of the system. Let's try to understand them below.

What types of Windows 10 are there?

Before starting a review of Tens distribution kits specifically, I suggest first looking at the original structure of the Windows varieties. This way we will understand the enormity of the scope of Microsoft’s main product.

Windows families

The main criterion for dividing Windows is families. The main families are:

• Windows NT is a line of desktop systems (for PCs, laptops and tablets) and a line of server systems, starting with Windows NT 3.1 and ending with Windows 10 (and, accordingly, its server counterpart Windows Server 2016). Desktop NTs are the ones that are used everywhere;
• Windows Embedded – a type of system for terminals, ATMs, other machines and various equipment;
• Windows 10 IoT is an operating system for production devices that has replaced Embedded, but with a large list of support for them. Among such devices are Smart Home automation systems;
• Windows Mobile, also known as Windows Phone in an earlier release, is a platform for mobile devices.

Each family can have its own lines (as is the case with NT), its own versions, its own editions, its own sub-editions, etc. The “Ten” has even more divisions. If we download its installation ISO image not using the official utility from, but, for example, using the program, we will see a lot of possible distributions in the selection list.

In the case of “Ten,” we have not only a stable branch of the operating system, but also a branch within the framework of the project - a program for testing operating system innovations. Plus, since Microsoft has stated that at least in the near future there will be no new versions of the system, and the company is going to work on improving “Ten” in parallel with its use by the masses, as a result of this work, today we have a lot of builds and versions of version 10 itself We will return to all these varieties later, but for now let’s look at what editions of the system exist.

Windows 10 editions

Editions are the fourth generation of the Windows NT division. There are two lines in the family, the lines have their own versions, and each version has its own editions. Editions are provided primarily for the convenience of Microsoft itself, so it is more profitable for it to sell licensed copies of the operating system. The basis of trading is the Pro edition, from which it already dances in one direction or another. By cutting some functionality, the company reduces the license fee for using the operating system, thus making it affordable to a larger number of people. And by offering additional opportunities in editions for certain market segments, the company manages to sell the same thing, but according to the principle “For the poor, the price is a ruble, for the rich, two.”

In terms of cutting opportunities, by the way, the company must be given its due. Unlike processor manufacturers who push models for low-end laptops onto the market, knowing that such processors are unsuitable for use in modern conditions, Microsoft knows its limits and does not go too far. The basic Home edition of any version of Windows is capable of fully satisfying the needs of the average person.

So, what editions of Windows 10 are there?

Home (Home) - a basic set of “Ten” features with reduced features of the Pro edition, such as: group policy, BitLocker, Hyper-V, remote connection tools, connection to Azure AD, etc. Home is also limited in its ability to defer system updates for a certain period of time, as can be done in the editions above. This is a budget option for legitimate use of the system, but not the cheapest.

Home Single Language

The Home derivative, Home Single Language, is limited to using Windows within one system language only. She has the cheapest license key.

Pro (Professional) – edition with an optimal selection of functionality for advanced users.

Pro for Workstations(Professional for workstations) - an advanced sub-edition for powerful computers, in particular for server equipment. It appeared quite recently, along with the autumn major update. Its key feature is improved reliability of data storage, in particular, work with the file system.

Enterprise

Enterprise (Corporate) – edition for organizations, which provides enhanced security technologies and functionality intended for professional systems engineers on top of Pro capabilities. “Corporate” has a functionally reduced and long-delayed delivery of updates for enterprises and services that need a stable environment for the functioning of their equipment. Microsoft does not sell Enterprise to ordinary users, only to legal entities on a subscription basis. The company states that purchasing this edition by individuals is impossible in principle, but you can buy a license for Enterprise on the Internet quite often. And, naturally, not all points of sale of digital keys will require us to confirm our involvement in the business sector.

Education

Education is essentially the same Enterprise edition, only with the missing Cortana and the impossibility of switching to LTSB. The main difference between Education is its focus on the market of educational institutions and, therefore, distribution at a price several times lower than Enterprise. The edition can be purchased by universities, vocational schools, libraries, museums, charitable organizations, teaching staff of educational institutions and students themselves, if they are not part-time students. As a condition of purchasing the edition, Microsoft has the right to require documentary evidence of the appropriate status of the buyer.

Windows N is not a separate edition, not even a sub-edition, it is a variation of Home and Pro without Windows Media Player and some other components. Microsoft was forced to create a stripped-down assembly in 2004 in accordance with the requirement of the European Commission, which began to protect the interests of third-party European developers who released their multimedia products.

Windows KN also appeared forcibly. A couple of years after the European precedent, the South Korean Trade Commission made a decision against Microsoft, satisfying the claim of the developer Daum Communications and obliging the software giant to release on the South Korean market an assembly of the operating system without a standard player and Instant Messenger (a messenger on board Windows XP).

Windows 10 N and KN builds do not come pre-installed with Windows Media Player, Groove Music, Movies & TV, Voice Recorder, or Skype. Also, system synchronization functions, webcam, Cortana, opening PDF files in Microsoft Edge and other things do not work. Windows 10 N and KN are intended for Europe and South Korea, respectively, the territorial jurisdictions of the authorities that ruled against Microsoft. And since the existence of these assemblies is forced, naturally, the company does not disseminate information about them unnecessarily.

Builds and versions of Windows 10

If we open the properties of “Tens”, in the characteristics column we will see a mark about its version and assembly.

The build number reflects information about a specific set of Windows 10 functionality and changes frequently as updates are introduced into the stable branch after they have been “run in” as part of the Windows Insider program. Version numbers of “Ten” change less frequently; their change is timed to coincide with a series of updates. Version numbers are not sequential; they contain information about the date and month of release. In addition to numbers, versions have names - technical (for Microsoft developers and insiders) and marketing (simple concepts for ordinary users). There are several versions of Windows 10:

• 1507, Threshold 1, abbreviated TH1 – the first cumulative update of the “Ten”, released in July 2015;
• 1511, Threshold 2, abbreviated TH2, simply put, November Update - the second cumulative update, released in November 2015;
• 1607, Redstone 1, abbreviated as RS1, simply called Anniversary Update - the third cumulative update, released in July 2016.
• 1703, Redstone 2, abbreviated as RS2, simply called Creators Update - the fourth cumulative update, released in March 2017;
• 1709, Redstone 3, abbreviated RS3, simply called Fall Creators Update - the fifth cumulative update, released in October 2017;
• 1803, Redstone 4, abbreviated RS4 – a cumulative update scheduled, as we can see from the number, for March next year, which is currently under development. Some of the upcoming functional improvements to the system can already be tested as part of the Windows Insider program.

That's how many tentacles the giant octopus called Windows 10 has.

This article is devoted to the most significant software product for any user. It doesn't matter what your profession is or what your hobbies are. The important thing is that at home you have a computer, laptop or tablet with an operating system from Microsoft installed.

Today, any user can, if desired, get acquainted with the new version of the Windows operating system. The operating system is the main part of a personal computer. It manages all devices and applications. The ease of use of a personal computer will depend on how correctly the operating system is chosen.

Editions of the Windows 10 operating system

The eighth generation of the Windows operating system did not suit many users because of its functionality and interface. The disadvantage of this system was the fact that they decided to remove the “Start” button. This made using the start menu inconvenient. It's time to switch directly to the tenth generation of the Windows operating system. Today there are seven editions of the next generation Windows system. These are professional, home, corporate, mobile, corporate-mobile, classroom and server versions.

Enterprise or Professional Windows 10: which is better?

This is exactly the question that many users asked at the time when the seventh version was popular. Which version should I choose: home, professional or full? It was these three editions of the operating system that were the most popular.

What you should know when installing an operating system

It doesn't matter at all which operating system you choose, Windows 10 Enterprise or Professional. Any of them will require hard drive space. It needs to be prepared in advance. The approximate amount of free space on your hard drive should be 20 GB. If you download the system from third-party sites, then the space should be increased to 30,720 MB. It's best to update the system. Which is better in this case: Enterprise or Professional Windows 10?

When installing programs from Microsoft, i.e. With automatic updating, this issue is resolved by itself. For a custom installation without using updaters, the most reasonable option would be to save important files to removable media or move them to a partition that the system does not touch. This way you can save important information from your PC.

Setting up an OS without special RAM requirements

American users value privacy. Microsoft took this issue into account when developing the new OS. A number of options have been introduced into the operating system settings to help disable systems that determine the user's location. If you disable this “spy” functionality, you can further relieve the computer’s RAM. Downloadable maps greatly reduce PC performance.

Which Windows OS is better: Professional or Enterprise?

It will be best to use the professional version of the Windows 10 operating system. It will be an excellent option for home use. What is the difference between these editions? For home use, the professional version of Windows 10 is more suitable. Unlike the home version, it is not reduced in functionality. The corporate version of the operating system is designed to work in large companies and enterprises. Some functions in this version of the OS, for example, the “business store”, are not particularly needed by the average user.

Why is Professional better?

The new operating system has many improvements and innovations. This qualitatively distinguishes it from previous operating systems. So which is better - Professional or Enterprise? In this case, the answer would be Professional. Now let's look at some of the features of this operating system.

1. Continuum: this is the name given to the operating system’s ability to connect different devices into one workflow. So, for example, using a program from Office, you can close a document on your computer, and open and continue working with it on your tablet.

2. Start: the developers listened to the opinions of users and nevertheless returned the “Start” button to the operating system. When you open the Start menu, you will be able to see a “tiled” version of the icons. This organization of work with the device simplifies access to applications. You can also view a list of recently opened applications.

3. Built-in protection system. The operating principle of this system is quite simple; it is not worth describing it in detail. The main thing is that the system does not require the use of a third-party antivirus program. It already reacts promptly and self-sufficiently to suspicious files.

4. “Mail client”: Microsoft developers have made a special program for working with mail. Now you don't even have to open your browser.

5. DirectX 12: at the moment, Windows 10 is the only operating system that has managed to implement the new capabilities of modern video cards. In the future, this option, if fully implemented, will significantly improve gaming performance.

Conclusion

So, which version of the Windows 10 operating system is better - Enterprise or Professional? Since the first version is designed for corporate use, the professional version will definitely be able to better reveal its potential in home use. In fact, the choice of operating system version will depend on the circumstances under which you intend to use your personal computer. The operating systems presented in this article have their own unique functionality. They depend solely on you as the user.

Not so long ago, Microsoft introduced a new operating system - Windows 10 S. And not many have encountered this product of the IT giant Microsoft and do not know what it is.

What is it and for whom?

Windows 10 S is not a radically new operating system. If you have Windows 10, then there is no point in upgrading to the S version. The new product will be useful to those who buy a new inexpensive laptop or tablet based on Windows, for example, schoolchildren or students. This is how Microsoft creates competition for Chromebooks and Chrome OS, which are very popular abroad.

Chrome OS has only basic functionality, which is sufficient for many users. Working on the Internet with documents (not on a tablet, but with a comfortable keyboard) is what Chromebooks were created for, and they have taken root well. Microsoft, with its universal and expensive operating system, previously could not successfully compete in the market for simple and inexpensive laptops. That's why Windows 10 S appeared, with some functionality limitations, but laptops with it will be cheaper.

Differences

The "S" is different from other versions of the "ten". On the Microsoft website (in the FAQ section) there are comparisons in the differences table. Significant points are highlighted with arrows:

• Installation of desktop programs is not supported. In Windows 10 S, you can only use pre-installed Modern apps or those downloaded from the Microsoft Store. And one more thing - it is impossible to use the command line or PowerShell.
• In Windows 10S (by default), Edge is installed as the browser, as in other versions of Ten. This means that users of the S version will have to use a browser from Microsoft, since Chrome and Firefox are not available in the App Store, and are unlikely to appear soon.
• The default search engine is Bing and cannot be changed. But, of course, it is not prohibited to open Yandex or Google in a browser.

What changed?

If you have a device with Windows 10 S, then you will have to get acquainted with the Windows Store, since the new OS allows you to install applications only from there. If this program is not in the Microsoft store, the application will not be installed.

The Windows Store appeared with Windows 8 in 2012 and has been constantly updated with applications and games. But it does not have all desktop applications. There is no Google Chrome browser, Mozilla Firefox, Spotify, Yandex.Disk - and this is not the whole list. Therefore, the Windows 10 S user will face some inconveniences. At least until the developers of popular software want to get into the Windows Store.

Another inconvenience is that even if Firefox or Chrome appears in the Windows Store, it cannot be set as the default browser - every time you click on links within other applications and documents, they will still open in Microsoft Edge. Inside the Edge browser, the built-in search engine does not change, but you only need to use Microsoft Bing. But, you can open Google or Yandex pages or others, although search queries from the address bar will only go to Bing.

In addition to a more affordable laptop price, Microsoft promises better virus protection for Windows 10 S. This is because you can't install apps from "unknown" sources - only from the Windows Store. Another positive point is faster initialization of the desktop after logging into your account, which is really important. If you're a student (and that's the target audience for Windows 10 S) and you're attending a lecture, you don't want your laptop to take a long time to turn on. It is assumed that Windows 10 S will be installed on inexpensive and not powerful laptops.

What if I don't like it?

All this is a little reminiscent of Windows RT - the “tablet” version of Windows 8, which did not have desktop applications at all - they simply were not supported. And since the Windows Store did not shine with variety at that time, RT never took root. But Windows 10 S is different - it has support for 32/64-bit applications, but the choice is limited to the assortment of the official store, which is constantly updated.

And another positive thing - if you bought a laptop with Windows 10 S, and then realized that you want to upgrade to a full-fledged Windows 10 Pro, then you can simply “upgrade” from the S version for $49.

The new Microsoft Surface Laptops, which were announced simultaneously with Windows 10 S, will come with it on board. But remember, until the end of the year, the S version on these devices can be upgraded to Windows 10 Pro for free.

P.S.

After a brief review of Windows 10S, we can conclude that this version is somewhat reminiscent of the previously released Windows RT, which works with mobile devices on ARM processors, which never gained popularity. Unlike its predecessor, the S version can be installed on any computer. According to Microsoft, Windows 10S is the most secure operating system, as it uses only programs from the Windows Store. It seems that this is why Windows 10S will not suit most users.

But if you accept it and want to use it on your PC, remember - you will still have to pay over $200 for a license, which is what Windows 10 pro costs.

The launch of the new Windows 10 operating system, developed by Microsoft, has become the most significant event of the year in the IT industry.

The platform is the first of its kind, currently being created in collaboration with users. The reason for this was the previous version of Windows 8 (8.1). The developers declared it revolutionary and innovative, but instead of the expected results, it received a lot of negative feedback from consumers.

Therefore, this time the company's management acted more prudently: they released a trial software product - Technical Preview so that it can be refined and improved during use. Even at the half-ready stage of the platform, we can talk about a significant breakthrough in the field of software. Let's take a short review of Windows 10 and look at the advantages in more detail.

To begin with, we want to tell you about the general features of the new operating system and its differences from the previous ones: XP, Vista, “seven” and “eight”:

• The Start menu in all versions of Windows 10 has been slightly changed, in particular, the list of programs returned as in the seven, but it is combined with a “tiled” application, which many users of version 8.1 loved. Moreover, the tiles can be kept either in a reduced version or expanded to full screen. Overall, the interface has become flatter and simplified, providing improved performance and ease of perception for users. And it received a number of additional and useful functions, for example, it has now become interactive and can signal the arrival of mail or can tell about the weather forecast and exchange rates.
• The new Microsoft Edge browser has replaced the familiar and unloved Internet Explorer. Let's see if it can win the hearts of users.
• Voice assistant Cortana will help you find any information on your computer or on the Internet, plan your own affairs, remind you of important events, be able to chat about various topics, etc. In general, this is something like an electronic secretary and a friend in person.
• Virtual desktops - Now in all versions of Windows 10 you can easily create multiple desktops, each of which can have its own running applications and programs.
• The new “Notification Center” - it contains all the information about the operation of your computer and any problems that arise. New messages from instant messengers such as Skype or Viber, reminders, etc. are also displayed there.
• Continuum feature allows you to easily switch between desktop and tablet modes if your device supports touch input and controls.

And etc.

In fact, there are a lot of innovations and even just listing them is quite difficult. Of course, many of them are unlikely to be useful to you, so we tried to mention the main ones.

Now let's talk in a little more detail about each edition of Windows 10 separately.

Windows 10 IoT

Windows 10 IoT is the heir Windows Embedded, making the most of the experience that was gained during the operation of this operating system in various industries and scenarios.

This product is intended for specialized devices that require additional customization for a specific use case.

The maximum coverage of supported platforms provides a lot of advantages to developers - the versatility of applications allows us to guarantee that with a fairly high probability an application written and debugged on a PC will work on an IoT device, regardless of its processor architecture (ARM or x86). A characteristic feature of the new operating system is also that it integrates support for the AllJoyn project, which allows you to develop applications, abstracting from the underlying protocol and using a software layer.
The Windows 10 IoT edition line is divided into three:

IoT Enterprise(with the functionality of Windows 10 Enterprise, but with a difference in licensing);

Mobile Enterprise(ARM, with support for Universal Apps, optimized for mobile devices and with support for various security features);

IoT Core(version optimized for devices with limited resources, with support for Universal Apps, but in Single App mode).

Let's start with Windows 10 IoT Core, which is a free, non-commercial use version (business use information coming soon) that can be installed on supported devices. IoT Core is an excellent option for prototyping and developing solutions for internal or personal use. IoT Core is a version optimized for devices that have fairly limited resources on board. The minimum system requirements for Core are 256 megabytes of RAM and 2 gigabytes of storage plus x86/ARM architecture.

IoT Core Supports universal application development, does not include Windows Desktop Shell and applications such as Mail and Photos.

Today, Windows 10 IoT can be installed on three boards - Raspberry Pi 2, Intel Minnowboard MAX and Qualcomm Dragonboard 410c. Each of these boards is designed for a different task, and, for example, a person looking to automate a simple task at home might prefer the Raspberry Pi 2. In an industry that is closer to Windows Embedded, the Minnowboard and Dragonboard will be of interest.

IoT Enterprise

The next edition, IoT Enterprise, is available only from Windows Embedded distributors, and is essentially a continuation of Windows Embedded Industry. This edition in its original form is Windows 10 Enterprise, and only after activation using a special license purchased from a distributor, it acquires specialized functions - device blocking, USB filters for connecting only authorized USB devices, blocking pop-up notifications and interface controls, management applications, Device Guard and many others. Typical application scenarios could be various types of industrial devices (ATMs, POS devices, other specialized devices). Minimum system requirements are 1 gigabyte of RAM, 16 gigabytes of storage plus x86/x64 architecture. Since this edition is based on Windows 10 Enterprise, it supports both classic and universal Windows applications.

One of the important aspects that is new to Windows is the Long Term Servicing Branch (LTSB) distribution option, unique to the Enterprise edition, including IoT. This is a separate distribution that is relevant for systems that have strict update rules - these could be systems used in hospitals, financial systems and many others that require constant operation over a long time. When using the Long Term Servicing Branch, system administrators have full control over updates, and within this distribution there are some functions missing, for example, the Microsoft Edge browser, and there is also the ability not to apply updates for 10 years, so as not to disrupt the current operation of devices.

Windows 10 IoT Enterprise can be purchased in three versions:

Windows 10 IoT Enterprise LTSB – the most complete license without restrictions (except for the ban on use on regular PCs). Typical applications are industrial devices, medicine, ATMs.

Windows 10 IoT Enterprise LTSB for Retail or ThinClients is, compared to IoT Enterprise, more economical and is designed to work on POS terminals, devices with electronic signatures, thin clients, kiosks, etc.

Windows 10 IoT Enterprise Tablet and Windows 10 IoT Enterprise Small Tablet - these editions are limited for use on tablets (Small Tablet - 7″ to 9″, Tablet - 9.1″ to 10.1″) with CPU restrictions.

IoT Mobile Enterprise

The latest version, Windows 10 IoT Mobile Enterprise, will be available later - it is intended for systems on mobile industrial devices - mobile POS terminals, tablets, etc.

Home

A completely standard version of Windows 10. This is what is planned to be installed on the majority of devices sold: laptops, ultrabooks, personal computers, transformers.

If we compare this edition of Windows 10 with others, it will have only a basic set of functions: the Cortana assistant, the new Edge browser, the Windows Hello function - it allows you to log in using a photo of the user’s face, a fingerprint, as well as some other applications from Microsoft (photos, maps, mail, calendar, music and video).

Of course, there are differences between the main assemblies, although not everyone can see them; it is for this reason that the most simplified version of Windows 10 Home has been released, ideal for novice users whose computer is used mainly for the Internet and other entertainment.

The only serious drawback of the Home version is the inability to choose update methods; in particular, users will receive everything they need through the Current Branch, in the already familiar Windows Update node. As in other versions, Home 10 OS integrates a number of major innovations, including:

1. Windows Hello, a system that provides complete security when logging into the system (prevents unauthorized access to your data).
2. Hiberboot and InstaGo. Both new products are designed to speed up the process of loading the OS and waking it up from sleep mode, which adds comfort to using the PC and also saves time for business people, for whom every minute counts.
3. New high-speed browser for Internet surfing Microsoft Edge.
4. Ability to work with multiple virtual desktops.
5. The Continuum function will allow you to use any mobile device running Windows 10 as a full-fledged PC, making it possible to connect a keyboard, mouse, large screen, etc. to it.

Professional (Pro)

Unlike the Home version, the professional edition has much more options in choosing which updates to install and in working on different networks. Although Windows 10 Pro is slightly different from the Enterprise edition, it is also quite suitable for small and medium-sized businesses.

As for updates, the Pro version will support not only the already well-known Current Branch, but also others, for example, Current Branch for Business (CBB), which will focus on updates to programs and security systems designed for business projects. In addition, another branch with long-term service is provided: Long Term Servicing Branch (LTSB). As part of updates using the CBB or LTSB system, the user will be able to independently choose not only the type and order of updates from Windows Update, but also set a convenient time for updates, as well as refuse them indefinitely.

As for the appearance of the ten, it has partially undergone changes. First of all, the shell developers completely abandoned the Aero style (transparent panels). For ease of use, the Aero Snap function has been added to the system, allowing you to view open windows and tasks in multi-window mode. MacOs and Android already boast approximately the same function.

A powerful tool implemented in version 10 was the virtual assistant Cortana, although it should be noted right away that it is not available for all regions, the reason for this was the lack of all the necessary language packs.

Corporate (Enterprise)

It is a business system capable of managing computers used by large companies and corporations.

It supports a number of more complex features, such as Direct Access (the ability to gain remote access to a corporate network without using VPN technology, application management AppLocker or BranchCache (a mechanism that improves the download and update process). Even more advanced mechanisms are supported by this edition to improve computer security and Credential Guard and Device Guard applications running on it.

As for Windows 10 Enterprise, in addition to the functions of Windows 10 Pro, on which it is, in fact, built, it implements compliance with the more stringent requirements of medium and large enterprises in terms of security and administration. In particular, updates are received in it separately through the Windows Update for Business service, and it is planned to distribute it under the terms of the Volume Licensing license agreement.

Windows 10 LTSB

Windows 10 LTSB– this is a stripped-down version of the edition Windows 10 Enterprise (Corporate). It does not have certain modern features, in particular, the Microsoft Edge browser, applications from the Windows Store, or, in fact, the store itself.

But this is a full-fledged operating system in terms of desktop functionality. It contains the Start menu, Explorer, control panel, Windows Media Player, Internet Explorer, PowerShell, Windows Defender antivirus, embedded OneDrive desktop client, notepad, classic calculator, as well as other standard and utility tools that have accompanied predecessor versions for many years operating system from Microsoft. By default, the Windows 10 LTSB Start menu does not provide a single pinned tile, but the ability to pin tiles of favorite programs to the menu in the system is present. This edition lacks the Cortana voice assistant, and the search button on the taskbar launches a regular in-system search. As in other editions, the configuration functionality of Windows 10 LTSB is scattered throughout both the Control Panel and the Settings application. In general, the long-term maintenance edition is stripped down to be as similar as possible to Windows 7.

Branch name – Long Term Servicing Branch (with long term service)– reflects the principle of delivery of its updates: LTSB installs only security updates and fixes that have been tested in stable builds of the Tens. Updates that introduce new functionality into the system are not delivered. The current Windows 10 Enterprise 2016 LTSB provides the same update settings as the stable editions, in particular, the ability to postpone updates and deliver them via local network channels. There are also functions inherent in the Anniversary Update - changing the activity period and restart parameters.

Windows 10 LTSB allows you to disable spy functions of the operating system - telemetry and user data collection.

The Explorer launch shortcut in Windows 10 LTSB is not placed on the taskbar or desktop by default, as in stable editions. Let us remind you that the hot keys for calling Explorer are Win+E. From the hotkeyed File Explorer icon on the taskbar, you can then bring up the context menu to pin it.

The Windows 10 LTSB edition is designed primarily for the corporate sector - for use in the life of organizations, in particular, medical institutions, financial institutions, manufacturing and trading enterprises, for which stability and software compatibility are important, and not functional new goodies. But this edition can be used by both organizations and individuals. For example, freelance professionals who use Windows 10-based devices for work purposes, or ordinary users who do not agree with Microsoft’s new concept and believe that Windows 7 should maintain its “top of evolution” status for many years to come.

When tested on a Windows 10 virtual machine, LTSB behaved faster than full-fledged editions of Ten. It was possible to work comfortably with the virtual machine even after reducing the RAM to 1024 MB. This means that this edition may have another audience segment – ​​users of low-power computer devices.

Windows 10 Enterprise LTSB, like the full-fledged Enterprise, is initially supplied free of charge by Microsoft for evaluation purposes. To install the operating system, you do not need a key; the key is already “sewn” into the installation process. Once installed, LTSB is automatically activated for the next 90 days. But after these 90 days, the operating system will insist on being activated. If necessary, it can be activated in the standard way - using a purchased license key.

For educational institutions (Education)

As the name suggests, this is a system designed for students, universities and educational institutions in general. Windows 10 Education offers many of the same features that were built into Windows 10. However, Windows 10 Education, unlike Enterprise, does not support the Long Term Servicing Branch option, for example.

It can be used by both teachers and students, who will be able to receive it under the Academic Volume Licensing program.

Comparison of Windows versions

Performance and user experience

Familiar and comfortable work environment

Management and Deployment

Improved management components for deploying and managing devices and applications

Safety

Advanced security features, system and application updates, and compatibility to protect devices and infrastructure from advanced threats

Key features of Windows

Key Windows Features