When Windows 10 came out, it was thought that it would be an output with fewer versions than those of its predecessors, but far from reality, it is the one with the most. We currently have up to 12 different editions of Windows 10, therefore we have to review all of them so that you know what each of them has.
At the time of release, Microsoft considers Windows 7, Windows 8, and Windows 8.1 users eligible to upgrade to Windows 10 for free, as long as the upgrade took place within one year from the initial release date of Windows 10. But Windows RT and the respective Enterprise editions of Windows 7, 8, and 8.1 were excluded from this offer.
That has made the diversity of Windows 10 variants surprising, and in fact the six editions of Windows 7 and the four editions of Windows 8 have been surpassed, which, yes, had some additional versions for certain regional markets.
Windows 10 Home
this is the edition more basic of all. It is oriented to PC's, laptops, tablets... it includes the basic and conventional options. Some of them are Cortana, the Microsoft Edge browser, and Windows Hello biometric technology. It also has other applications such as Mail, Photos, Maps, Calendar or Music and Video. For the most gamers you can also find games with the Game Bar.
Windows 10 Pro
As in the previous case, this edition is aimed at the same types of devices, but in addition to integrating all of the above, various options are added to professionals and SMEs.
For example, you can count on the support of group policy management or to be able to use Bitlocker technology and Remote Desktop. In this option for professionals, technologies such as Device Guard are applied, which allow companies to secure their devices against external threats in a more powerful way.
10 Windows Enterprise
This is the ideal version for larger companies and/or that require greater protection in their business equipment and data that they handle. It includes the so-called DirectAccess that allows remote users to access an internal network through a structure similar to a VPN. It also has the AppLocker, which allows you to restrict certain applications on devices.
The only drawback is that this edition is only accessible through Microsoft's Volume Licensing program.
Windows 10 Education
As the name says, this version is used to academic organizations. It also features AppLocker, Device Guard, or DirectAccess, and access to this edition of Windows 10 is restricted to Microsoft's Volume Licensing program. However, Cortana is disabled in this edition, something that users do not like.
Windows 10 Pro Education
It is an advanced edition of the previous one that was launched in 2016 with the purpose that hardware manufacturers enjoy special licenses for primary and secondary education in countries such as the United States or Australia. As changes with the previous version we have the “Set Up School Pcs” application that allows us to install the operating system and certain preferences common to an educational/academic environment through a USB drive.
Windows 10 Enterprise LTSB
It is the enhanced edition of Windows 10 Enterprise. Their difference is long term support or long-term support. The most interesting thing is that they guarantee 10 years of support with security updates after their launch, although they do not receive security updates again after that. However, they do not include some typical native apps or the Windows Store.
10 Windows Mobile
As the name indicates, it is the version oriented to smartphones and small tablets. All options aimed at end users of these devices are included, including Continuum technology or the mobile (and touch) version of Office.
Windows 10 Mobile Enterprise
Business variant for mobile version of Windows 10. It is obtained through volume licenses, and among the most important differences are the control and management of updates and the control of telemetry. Management of "fleets" of enterprise devices and some improvements in security features are also among those differences.
Windows 10 IoT
He is the firstborn of the branch Windows Embedded and it is made for the new wave of solutions in the Internet of Things and indeed. It has three sub-editions: IoT Core, IoT Enterprise, and IoT Mobile Enterprise.
The Enterprise version is more oriented to integrated solutions in production companies of all kinds of products, and here Microsoft has long invited any developer to freely download these versions (which do not include a Windows 10 desktop as such) to work with them and with all kinds of IoT solutions.
Windows 10 S
Microsoft's commitment to the cloud and education to compete with the benefits of platforms such as Chrome OS was its flag. This version has ended up disappearing. The result was a variant of Windows 10 that restricted us from installing applications to the Windows Store and thereby sought greater security and control.
windows 10 team
Microsoft launched its unique Surface Hub, smart TVs with a very special version of Windows 10 that was aimed at conference rooms. Among the differences is the use of a touch interface, the presence of a welcome screen that replaces the lock screen, as well as specialized applications such as the Whiteboard or, of course, Skype for Business, as well as other adapted ones such as the web browser. files or the Configuration tool.
Windows 10 Pro for Workstations
The latest of the available editions of Windows 10 has been created for users of workstations and servers with more advanced and ambitious hardware specifications. Among these improvements is the integration of a file system called Resilient File System (ReFS) specialized for large volumes of data, persistent memory support (NVDIMM-N modules).
As you can see, there is no version with which we can stay. Some are more complete than others but they are also specific to some concrete scenarios. With which you will have to be the one to decide which one stays after reading this article. We hope it has helped you to clear your doubts.