Buyer's Guide | Microsoft Windows
Compare Windows 10 Home, Windows 10 Pro and Windows 10 Enterprise
There’s no easy way of saying this, Windows licensing IS complex.
How can I tell which version I need?
Here, we will examine the primary distinctions among the three most widely used Windows 10 versions: Windows 10 Home, Windows 10 Pro, and Windows 10 Enterprise.
Microsoft Windows 10 Home vs Microsoft Windows 10 Professional
Windows 10 Pro and Windows 10 Home are nearly identical in terms of visual layout. Where they differ is in the features they each offer. Windows 10 Home offers features including a revamped Start Menu, Cortana assistant, Battery Saver, TPM assistant and more. Windows 10 Pro offers all of Home edition’s features, offers sophisticated connectivity and privacy tools such as Group Policy Management, Domain Join, Enterprise Mode Internet Explorer (EMIE), Bitlocker, Assigned Access 8.1, Remote Desktop, Client Hyper-V, and Direct Access.
Microsoft Windows 10 Professional vs Microsoft Windows 10 Enterprise
When placed next to each other, Windows 10 Pro and Windows 10 Enterprise look the same. However, there are actual discrepancies between the two. So, let’s explore some of the features that Enterprise comes with in more detail:
- AppLocker - Grants admins the ability to restrict apps on any device in the network, making it easier to whitelist and blacklist programs as needed.
- Application Virtualization (App-V) - Create virtual instances of applications in a container taking away the need for a normal installation. Cast apps to a Windows PC from a server.
- User Environment Virtualization (UE-V) - Ables the user to save app settings and preferences as they move from one PC to another. Allows for an easy, organized infrastructure.
- DirectAccess - A VPN-like component created to allow automatic connections every time a user connects directly to the network, increasing security via an encrypted session.
- Improved Group Policy Settings - Admins are able to select which features are installed when deploying a new OS (i.e Turning off Microsoft Consumer Experiences, Windows Store, or even the Lock Screen).
- Volume License Deployment - Windows 10 Enterprise is only available through Microsoft's Volume License program which allows admins to create bulk deployments as well as better keep track of which computers have allocated licenses.
These are just a few of the important differences between Windows 10 Professional and Enterprise. Scroll down to see a more comprehensive list of features
SECURITY
Feature | ||
Windows Hello for Business | ✔ | ✔ |
Bitlocker and Bitlocker to Go | ✔ | ✔ |
Windows Information Protection | ✔ | ✔ |
Windows Defender Credential Guard | - | ✔ |
Windows Defender System Guard | ✔ | ✔ |
Windows Defender Application Guard | - | ✔ |
Windows Defender Application Control | - | ✔ |
Windows Defender Exploit Guard | ✔ | ✔ |
Windows Defender Antivirus | ✔ | ✔ |
Windows Defender Advanced Threat Protection (ATP) | - | ✔ |
