Windows 10 all versions. What is RTM, Final or Gold. New shell features

If you upgrade to Windows 10 from previous versions of Windows, such as Windows 7 or Windows 8.1, or if you install more fresh update on Windows 10, some features may be deprecated or removed. See below for information on some key remote features:

  • Phone Manager: With the release of the April 2018 update, we announced that we would be ceasing further development of Phone Manager. Starting with the October 2018 update, the Phone Manager app is removed from your PCs. For synchronization mobile phone From a PC, use the Phone page in the Settings app. It contains all the functions of the phone manager.
  • Home group: will be removed starting with the April 2018 update. However, you will still be able to share printers, files, and folders. After upgrading to the April 2018 version of Windows 10, HomeGroup will no longer appear in File Explorer, Control Panel, or Troubleshooting (Settings > Update & Security > Troubleshoot). Any printers, files, or folders that you shared using home group, will have general access. Now to provide public access To printers, files or folders instead of a homegroup, you can use the features built into Windows 10:
    • Xbox 360 and HomeGroup users can learn more about media streaming
  • People app: In Windows 10, email messages received from Office 365 contacts and contacts from your school or organization appear in People app In chapter Conversations. Starting with the April 2018 update, to view new email messages in the People app from these specific contacts, you will need to be online or signed in with either an Office 365 account or for school or organization accounts through apps , or Calendar. Please note that you will only be able to see messages for school/organization accounts and some Office 365 accounts.
  • Reader application: The Reader app will be removed from Windows 10 after the update Fall Creators Update (Windows 10, version 1709). To view PDF files Use Microsoft Edge - a recommended replacement app that has similar functionality plus additional features, including enhanced support special features, improved ink input, and support for Ask Cortana. Likewise, it is recommended to use the XPS Viewer for Windows to view XPS files and the " Windows Photos" to view TIFF files. Please note that users are more than earlier versions Windows 10 can continue to use the Reader app.
  • Windows Log: When you install the Windows 10 Anniversary Update (Windows 10, version 1607), your Windows history will be deleted. After this you will no longer be able to open or edit files Windows log with JNT or JTP extension. Instead of Windows Journal, we recommend using OneNote app. additional information information on how to open or edit log files if necessary can be found.
  • Windows Media Digital Rights Management (WMDRM): Windows Media Digital Rights Management (WMDRM) will no longer be supported when you install the Windows 10 Anniversary Update (Windows 10 version 1607). As a result, you will no longer be able to play audio and video files protected with this technology. for more information.
  • Windows Media Center If you're using Windows 7 Home Premium, Windows 7 Professional, Windows 7 Ultimate, Windows 8 Professional with Media Center, or Windows 8.1 Professional with Media Center, Windows Media Center will be removed when you install Windows 10.
  • Mobile Device Management (MDM) The MDM feature will not be available in Windows 10 Home after the release of Windows 10.
  • Windows 7 Desktop Gadgets: Windows 7 desktop gadgets will be removed during Windows installations 10.
  • Games "Klondike", "Sapper" and "Hearts": The Solitaire, Minesweeper, and Hearts games that came pre-installed with Windows 7 will be removed when you upgrade to Windows 10. Microsoft has released versions of the Solitaire and Minesweeper games under the names Microsoft Solitaire Collection and Microsoft Minesweeper "
  • Floppy drives: If you have a floppy drive, you will need to download the latest driver from the Windows Update client component or from the manufacturer's website.
  • If your system has "Basic Components" installed Windows Live», OneDrive app will be removed and replaced with the built-in version of OneDrive.
  • Placeholder files in OneDrive: Windows 10 doesn't support OneDrive placeholder files. Windows 8.1 displays available placeholder files in OneDrive instead of locally on the device. In Windows 10, users can choose which folders to sync in OneDrive settings.
  • Attachment: In tablet mode, you can pin a maximum of two apps.

Microsoft said Windows 10 is final version Windows, but no one ever said it would be easy. After two years of existence, Windows 10 has no less than ten different editions. Each of them is essentially the same thing, but offers several different functions for users with different needs. Along with constantly changing features, this can keep track of what's happening with Windows 10. Let's look at each version of Windows 10 in turn and see why Microsoft has created such a fragmented environment.

Comparison of Windows 10 versions

Components and Functions Home Pro Education Enterprise
Continuum for phone + + + +
Cortana + + +
Windows Ink + + + +
Start Menu and Live Tiles + + + +
Tablet mode + + + +
Voice, pen, touch and gestures + + + +
Microsoft Edge + + + +
Mobile device management + + + +
Windows Update + + + +
Windows Hello + + + +
Companion devices for Windows Hello + + + +
Device encryption + + + +
+ + + +
Windows Device Health Attestation Service + + + +
Group Policy + + +
Roam enterprise data with Azure Active Directory + + +
Windows Store for Business + + +
Limited access + + +
Dynamic provisioning + + +
Windows Update for Business + + +
Shared PC Configuration + + +
Test + + +
Windows Information Protection + + +
BitLocker + + +
Joining a domain + + +
Join an Azure Active Directory domain with single sign-on for cloud apps + + +
Internet Explorer in Enterprise Mode (EMIE) + + +
Remote Desktop + + +
Hyper-V Client + +
DirectAccess + +
AppLocker + +
Guided user experience + +
Microsoft Application Virtualization (App-V) + +
Microsoft User Environment Virtualization (UE-V) + +
Credential Guard + +
Device Guard + +
Windows to Go + +
BranchCache + +

Brief description of publications

  • Windows 10 Home is a standard offering and includes everything home users need.
  • Windows 10 Pro builds on Home and includes additional features for power users and small business use.
  • Windows 10 S- a stripped-down Chromebook competitor that lets you install apps for Windows Store.
  • Windows 10 Enterprise has advanced features for large-scale enterprise deployments.
  • Windows 10 Education is an offshoot of Enterprise with education-specific default settings and a lower price for schools.
  • Windows 10 Pro Education comes pre-installed on PCs that schools can purchase at a discount and offers a learning-specific Pro flavor.
  • Windows 10 Mobile is a Microsoft mobile operating system that is not very popular.
  • Windows 10 Mobile Enterprise allows businesses to manage mobile Windows devices 10 for its employees.
  • Windows 10 IoT replaces Windows Embedded - light version Windows that hobbyists or businesses can install on small computing devices, as well as on robots and sales applications.
  • Windows 10 Team is a specialized version of Windows 10 that only runs on the Surface Hub smart board.
  • for workstations supports powerful PCs that regularly perform intensive computing

Windows 10 Home

We start with the basic version. If you are going to go into a store and buy new laptop off the shelf, it will almost certainly be Windows 10 Home. True to its name, it includes the full experience of Windows 10 features that the average person will enjoy. home user. You'll find all the major products inside, including Cortana, Store apps, Xbox, and support for tablet and touch features. Home Edition leaves out some business-oriented features that are the only other edition in PRO, but you can buy them separately.

Windows 10 Pro

Windows 10 Pro builds on what Home offers, but includes more features aimed at power users and businesses. The most notable differences are the ability to join a Pro machine for a domain, support for BitLocker encryption, and Group Policy support for easily changing company-wide settings. Most machines in business use Pro version, so IT professionals can use these tools to their advantage. But enthusiasts can also benefit from what the Pro has to offer.

For example, many of the settings we discuss in the articles are easier to change using the Group Policy Editor than in the Registry. However, I don't think this is suitable for most home users. You can replace free alternatives for some Pro-only features. For example, TeamViewer can replace Remote Desktop, and you can exchange VeraCrypt for BitLocker. And not a single one is normal Windows user at home, should not join your computer in the domain.

Windows 10 S

One of the newest releases in the lineup, Windows 10 S is a smoothed-out version of the operating system. Its most distinctive feature is that you can only install applications from Windows Store Store, so it won't work with any traditional desktop software. Microsoft Edge is the default browser and you cannot change the default search engine from Bing.

Windows 10 S is only available on pre-installed devices, and most of them are inexpensive. Microsoft is targeting Windows 10 S at the education market as it is something of a competitor to Chromebooks. While you can upgrade Windows 10 S to Pro for dollars, most home users should stay away from it. The combination of cheap hardware and limited available apps limits what your device can do.

Windows 10 Enterprise

Windows 10 Enterprise is, unsurprisingly, intended for large-scale business use and is only sold through volume licensing Microsoft. Unlike Windows 7, no full version Windows 10, which offers full set Enterprise features for home users. But that's okay, because Enterprise's additional capabilities only shine in enterprise deployments. The biggest feature is DirectAccess, which allows remote workers to access their company's internal network through a connection similar to a VPN, but provides greater security. AppLocker, another great feature, allows administrators to block access to certain applications. This edition also allows companies to switch to a long-term branch to avoid regular Windows 10 changes that could break their operations. Enterprise also contains some behind-the-scenes tweaks that make it easier for IT pros to install or migrate Windows on a mass standardization basis. While Pro is great for small businesses, a company with thousands of employees can save money and control their setup with the Enterprise edition.

Windows 10 Education

The Windows 10 Education Edition includes all Enterprise features. As Microsoft explains, this is actually a variant of Windows 10 Enterprise that provides education-specific default settings. In past versions this included disabling Cortana by default, but it is present in current builds. Windows 10 Education also disables tips and offers that are only advertisements.

Apart from these default settings, the only significant change for the Education edition is that it costs significantly less than the Enterprise edition. This helps schools reduce costs while still receiving powerful version Windows, which allows them to block games and inappropriate content on computers used by students. Although your computer must be running Windows 10 Pro to upgrade to Enterprise, this does not apply to the Education edition. PCs running Windows 10 Home can upgrade to Windows 10 Education, further reducing costs for schools.

Windows 10 Pro Education

Are all these names confusing? Windows 10 Pro Education brings the two together existing titles publications Everything is the same as in Windows 10 Education, the only difference is taste of Windows 10 Pro with several default settings specific to educational environments. The most a big difference between Pro Education and Education is that the former comes pre-installed on new devices purchased through the K-12 program at a discount. This means schools do not need to go through Microsoft Volume Licensing to purchase pre-built PCs. Smaller schools that lack a full IT staff or don't need corporate Windows features 10 Education can still exercise control using features found in Windows 10 Pro Education.

Both editions of Windows 10 Education include the Set Up School PCs app, which guides administrators by creating standard image Windows. They can choose options such as removing browser apps, automatic connection computers to the school domain and configure Windows Update to avoid restarts during school hours. After completing this process once, IT staff can place the package on a flash drive and quickly apply it to other machines.

Windows 10 Mobile

Did you know that Windows Phone is still around? It's currently called Windows 10 Mobile, but it's the next iteration of the launch version of Windows for your smartphone. This is part of Microsoft's plan to create a single, unified operating system on every device. It allows you to access the same new Windows Store apps that are available on your desktop. Windows desktop 10, along with Continuum, which lets you use your phone like a PC on a bigger screen.

While this is an improvement over Phone 8.1, Windows Mobile is still to a large extent has no relevance in the mobile space as Android and iOS dominate. Thanks to a botched deployment and continued lack of reliable apps, Windows 10 Mobile suffered from limited use. But I still use the budget lumia 640 and I’m quite happy with it than the virus-ridden android.

Windows 10 Mobile Enterprise

The enterprise version of Windows 10 Mobile Enterprise is almost the same as the consumer version. As you'd expect, it offers business features such as deferring and managing updates, telemetry control, and more powerful deployments.

Windows 10 IoT (Internet of Things)

For previous versions of Windows, Microsoft has provided a shortened version under named Windows Embedded. For example, Windows XP Embedded was and is still extremely popular for lightweight devices such as ATMs, cash registers and watches. Embedded editions of Windows contain only essential components, reducing their footprint on the machine while still allowing the device to use Windows benefits. Now the successor to Windows Embedded is known as Windows IoT.

IoT is connected by internet connections to everyday household objects. For example, it is popular among smart things like the Alexa speaker from Amazon and this version of Windows serves to allow hobbyists and enterprise users to use it. Windows 10 IoT can run on popular small devices, who do not have powerful resources.

Microsoft offers two options: Windows 10 IoT Core and Windows 10 IoT Enterprise. Core is free to download and you can install it on devices like the Raspberry Pi. Enterprise Flavor is equivalent to Windows 10 Enterprise and therefore more powerful. Enterprises can install it on industrial robots, cash registers and other IoT devices.

Windows 10 Team

The Microsoft Surface family includes interactive whiteboard, known as Surface Hub. Like other smart cards, it is designed for business use so employees can collaborate and video conference between locations. This device runs a special version called Windows 10 Team. It is based on Enterprise but offers a few differences as it is specifically designed for the giant board. User interface optimized for mega touch screen. Any user can come up and enter the low-level account user without login. When your session ends, the system deletes your local files unless you save them to OneDrive. And like Windows 10 S, you can't install traditional desktop applications. Team is a specialized version because it only applies to one device. You'll probably never run into this.

Windows 10 Pro for Workstations

Because 11 releases weren't enough, Microsoft recently announced another version of Windows 10. This product is called Pro for Workstations, and it's designed for PCs. high class, requiring large workloads. New features include the resilient ReFS file system ( Resilient File System), permanent memory, more fast exchange files and advanced hardware support. Essentially, this results in a host of internal improvements that make the daily grind of computing information throughout the day smoother. Microsoft explains that these changes will result in less data corruption, more fast transfer network data and RAM usage up to 6 TB. Windows 10 Pro for Workstations will launch with Fall update Creators Update in fall 2017. This edition will likely only see business use.

Microsoft has said that Windows 10 is the final version of Windows, but no one ever said it would be easy. After two years of existence, Windows 10 has no less than ten different editions. Each is essentially the same thing, but offers slightly different features for users with different needs. Along with constantly changing features, this can keep track of what's happening with Windows 10. Let's look at each version of Windows 10 in turn and see why Microsoft has created such a fragmented environment.

Comparison of Windows 10 versions

Components and Functions Home Pro Education Enterprise
Continuum for phone + + + +
Cortana + + +
Windows Ink + + + +
Start Menu and Live Tiles + + + +
Tablet mode + + + +
Voice, pen, touch and gestures + + + +
Microsoft Edge + + + +
Mobile device management + + + +
Windows Update + + + +
Windows Hello + + + +
Companion devices for Windows Hello + + + +
Device encryption + + + +
+ + + +
Windows Device Health Attestation Service + + + +
Group Policy + + +
Roam enterprise data with Azure Active Directory + + +
Windows Store for Business + + +
Limited access + + +
Dynamic provisioning + + +
Windows Update for Business + + +
Shared PC Configuration + + +
Test + + +
Windows Information Protection + + +
BitLocker + + +
Joining a domain + + +
Join an Azure Active Directory domain with single sign-on for cloud apps + + +
Internet Explorer in Enterprise Mode (EMIE) + + +
Remote Desktop + + +
Hyper-V Client + +
DirectAccess + +
AppLocker + +
Guided user experience + +
Microsoft Application Virtualization (App-V) + +
Microsoft User Environment Virtualization (UE-V) + +
Credential Guard + +
Device Guard + +
Windows to Go + +
BranchCache + +

Brief description of publications

  • Windows 10 Home is a standard offering and includes everything home users need.
  • Windows 10 Pro builds on Home and includes additional features for power users and small business use.
  • Windows 10 S is a stripped-down Chromebook competitor that lets you install Windows Store apps.
  • Windows 10 Enterprise has advanced features for large-scale enterprise deployments.
  • Windows 10 Education is an offshoot of Enterprise with education-specific default settings and a lower price for schools.
  • Windows 10 Pro Education comes pre-installed on PCs that schools can purchase at a discount and offers a learning-specific Pro flavor.
  • Windows 10 Mobile is a Microsoft mobile operating system that is not very popular.
  • Windows 10 Mobile Enterprise allows businesses to manage Windows 10 mobile devices for their employees.
  • Windows 10 IoT replaces Windows Embedded, a lightweight version of Windows that hobbyists or businesses can install on small computing devices, as well as robots and sales applications.
  • Windows 10 Team is a specialized version of Windows 10 that only runs on the Surface Hub smart board.
  • for workstations supports powerful PCs that regularly perform intensive computing

Windows 10 Home

We start with the basic version. If you're going to walk into a store and buy a new laptop off the shelf, it's almost certainly going to be Windows 10 Home. True to its name, it includes the full experience of Windows 10 features that the average home user will enjoy. You'll find all the major products inside, including Cortana, Store apps, Xbox, and support for tablet and touch features. The Home Edition leaves out some of the business-oriented features that are the only other edition in the PRO, but you can buy them separately.

Windows 10 Pro

Windows 10 Pro builds on what Home offers, but includes more features aimed at power users and businesses. The most notable differences are the ability to join a Pro machine for a domain, support for BitLocker encryption, and Group Policy support for easily changing company-wide settings. Most machines in business use the Pro version, so IT professionals can use these tools to their advantage. But enthusiasts can also benefit from what the Pro has to offer.

For example, many of the settings we discuss in the articles are easier to change using the Group Policy Editor than in the Registry. However, I don't think this is suitable for most home users. You can replace free alternatives for some Pro-only features. For example, TeamViewer can replace Remote Desktop, and you can trade VeraCrypt for BitLocker. And no normal Windows user at home should join their computer to a domain.

Windows 10 S

One of the newest releases in the lineup, Windows 10 S is a smoothed-out version of the operating system. Its most distinctive feature is that you can only install apps from the Windows Store, so it won't work with any traditional desktop software. Microsoft Edge is the default browser and you cannot change the default search engine from Bing.

Windows 10 S is only available on pre-installed devices, and most of them are inexpensive. Microsoft is targeting Windows 10 S at the education market as it is something of a competitor to Chromebooks. While you can upgrade Windows 10 S to Pro for dollars, most home users should stay away from it. The combination of cheap hardware and limited available apps limits what your device can do.

Windows 10 Enterprise

Windows 10 Enterprise, unsurprisingly, is intended for large-scale business use and is only sold through Microsoft Volume Licensing. Unlike Windows 7, there is no full version of Windows 10 that offers the full set of Enterprise features for home users. But that's okay, because Enterprise's additional capabilities only shine in enterprise deployments. The biggest feature is DirectAccess, which allows remote workers to access their company's internal network through a connection similar to a VPN, but provides greater security. AppLocker, another great feature, allows administrators to block access to specific applications. This edition also allows companies to switch to a long-term branch to avoid regular Windows 10 changes that could break their operations. Enterprise also contains some behind-the-scenes tweaks that make it easier for IT pros to install or migrate Windows on a mass standardization basis. While Pro is great for small businesses, a company with thousands of employees can save money and control their setup with the Enterprise edition.

Windows 10 Education

The Windows 10 Education Edition includes all Enterprise features. As Microsoft explains, this is actually a variant of Windows 10 Enterprise that provides education-specific default settings. In past versions this included disabling Cortana by default, but it is present in current builds. Windows 10 Education also disables tips and offers that are only advertisements.

Apart from these default settings, the only significant change for the Education edition is that it costs significantly less than the Enterprise edition. This helps schools keep costs down while still getting a powerful version of Windows that allows them to block games and inappropriate content on the computers students use. Although your computer must be running Windows 10 Pro to upgrade to Enterprise, this does not apply to the Education edition. PCs running Windows 10 Home can upgrade to Windows 10 Education, further reducing costs for schools.

Windows 10 Pro Education

Are all these names confusing? Windows 10 Pro Education combines two existing titles. Everything is the same as in Windows 10 Education, the only difference is the taste of Windows 10 Pro with several default settings typical for educational environments. The biggest difference between Pro Education and Education is that the former comes pre-installed on new devices purchased through the K-12 program at a discount. This means schools do not need to go through Microsoft Volume Licensing to purchase pre-built PCs. Smaller schools that lack a full IT staff or don't need the enterprise features of Windows 10 Education can still maintain control using the features found in Windows 10 Pro Education.

Both editions of Windows 10 Education include the Set Up School PCs app, which guides administrators by creating a standard Windows image. They can choose options such as uninstalling browser apps, automatically connecting computers to the school domain, and configuring Windows Update to avoid restarts during school hours. After completing this process once, IT staff can place the package on a flash drive and quickly apply it to other machines.

Windows 10 Mobile

Did you know that Windows Phone is still around? It's currently called Windows 10 Mobile, but it's the next iteration of the launch version of Windows for your smartphone. This is part of Microsoft's plan to create a single, unified operating system on every device. It lets you access the same new Windows Store apps that are available on the Windows 10 desktop, along with the Continuum feature that lets you use your phone like a PC on the big screen.

While it's an improvement over Phone 8.1, Windows Mobile is still largely irrelevant in the mobile space as Android and iOS reign supreme. Thanks to a botched rollout and continued lack of reliable apps, Windows 10 Mobile has suffered from limited usage. But I still use the budget lumia 640 and I’m quite happy with it than the virus-ridden android.

Windows 10 Mobile Enterprise

The enterprise version of Windows 10 Mobile Enterprise is almost the same as the consumer version. As you'd expect, it offers business features such as deferring and managing updates, telemetry control, and more powerful deployments.

Windows 10 IoT (Internet of Things)

For previous versions of Windows, Microsoft provided a shortened version called Windows Embedded. For example, Windows XP Embedded was and is still extremely popular for lightweight devices such as ATMs, cash registers and watches. Embedded editions of Windows contain only the essential components, reducing the footprint on the machine while still allowing the device to take advantage of the benefits of Windows. Now the successor to Windows Embedded is known as Windows IoT.

IoT is connected by internet connections to everyday household objects. For example, it is popular among smart things like the Alexa speaker from Amazon and this version of Windows serves to allow hobbyists and enterprise users to use it. Windows 10 IoT can run on popular small devices that don't have powerful resources.

Microsoft offers two options: Windows 10 IoT Core and Windows 10 IoT Enterprise. Core is free to download and you can install it on devices like the Raspberry Pi. Enterprise Flavor is equivalent to Windows 10 Enterprise and therefore more powerful. Enterprises can install it on industrial robots, cash registers and other IoT devices.

Windows 10 Team

The Microsoft Surface family includes an interactive whiteboard known as the Surface Hub. Like other smart cards, it is designed for business use so employees can collaborate and video conference between locations. This device runs a special version called Windows 10 Team. It is based on Enterprise but offers a few differences as it is specifically designed for the giant board. The user interface is optimized for mega touch screen. Any user can come up and log into a low-level user account without logging in. When your session ends, the system deletes your local files unless you save them to OneDrive. And like Windows 10 S, you can't install traditional desktop apps. Team is a specialized version because it only applies to one device. You'll probably never run into this.

Windows 10 Pro for Workstations

Because 11 editions weren't enough, Microsoft recently announced another version of Windows 10. This product is called Pro for Workstations, and it's designed for high-end PCs that require heavy workloads. New features include Resilient File System (ReFS), persistent memory, faster file sharing and enhanced hardware support. Essentially, this results in a host of internal improvements that make the daily grind of computing information throughout the day smoother. Microsoft explains that these changes will result in less data corruption, faster network transfers, and up to 6TB of RAM usage. Windows 10 Pro for workstations will launch with the Fall Creators Update in fall 2017. This edition will likely only see business use.

The Windows operating system is the most popular in the world. It works on 90% of devices owned by housewives, office workers, large companies, schools, IT professionals and developers. Each category of user uses the computer in its own way. For some, a web browser is enough and Office package, someone needs more fine tuning systems, and some simply need powerful defense mechanisms. In this regard, several editions of Windows have emerged, differing in different functionality, license price and purpose. In this article, we will look at how they differ, and also explain what certain terms mean that you may come across on the Internet.

What editions of Windows 10 are there?

There are only 6 main editions of desktop Windows 10:

  • Home Single Language (Home SL)- Homemade for one language.
  • Home- Homemade.
  • Pro- Professional.
  • Enterprise- Corporate.
  • Education- For educational institutions.
  • S- publication for students and educational institutions.
  • Lean- not yet officially released, but only an edition under development for tablets with 16 GB internal memory. Information on it will appear later.

Of course, there are other highly specialized editions. For example, the operating conditions of IT companies in China are slightly different than in the other world, so Microsoft created a special version of Windows 10 - Windows 10 China. However, an ordinary user from a CIS country is unlikely to encounter this, so disassemble similar systems we will not.

Note that Windows 10 editions often include Windows 10 Mobile, which is available in two versions:

  • Windows 10 Mobile.
  • Windows 10 Mobile Enterprise.

In fact, Windows 10 for smartphones is a separate operating system, so we won’t talk about it here either.

What is the difference between different editions of Windows 10

There are quite a lot of differences between the editions, but not everyone can understand them. We will look at the available editions based on a couple of criteria that can influence your choice of one or another Windows 10.

Where to buy a license for Windows 10, and how much does it cost?

In this section we will consider the possibility of purchasing a license for a particular edition of the system from the point of view of an ordinary user.

  • Home SL: This edition is the cheapest, but the average user cannot buy a license for it. Microsoft licenses Windows 10 Home SL only to manufacturing companies that can pre-install it on tablets or laptops.
  • Home: the most common version of Windows 10 in the world. A license for it can be purchased by any user in Microsoft Store or Microsoft partner stores. The price in the USA is $120, but in other regions it may differ due to differences in exchange rates. The Russian Microsoft Store offers to buy Windows 10 Home for 8,699 rubles.
  • Pro: a more expensive edition created for IT professionals, developers and small organizations. Also available to every user. The original price is $200, but Russian Microsoft Store sells Windows 10 Pro for 15,299 rubles. We also note that a paid upgrade from Windows 10 Home to Windows 10 Pro is possible - to do this, just type the request Windows 10 Pro in the Windows Store.
  • Enterprise: edition created specifically for corporate clients. A license for it can only be purchased by legal entities.
  • Education: publication for educational institutions. The subtleties of its licensing are quite complex, but the main thing is that it is also inaccessible to the average user.
  • S: This edition is also aimed at educational institutions and is not available ordinary users. However, it can be preinstalled on laptops and tablets (in particular, Surface Laptop). In this case, the user will be able to upgrade to the Pro edition for $49.99.

In which editions can you disable Windows 10 updates?

Windows 10 users quite often complain about automatic update systems. Windows 10 itself downloads and installs security updates, bug fixes and new driver versions. Many people want it because possible problems V latest builds systems and drivers. Let's figure out how you can influence this process in different editions of Windows 10.

  • Home SL: no way. There's absolutely nothing you can do with updates. The system will automatically download updates and install them within 7 days.
  • Home: Similar to Home SL, there are no ways to control the update center.
  • Pro: in this edition you can disable driver updates, postpone any updates for 35 days, limit automatic download updates, and also switch to the corporate update branch - Current Branch For Business (instead of the standard Current Branch). New to the business branch Windows builds 10 are released only after thorough testing by Microsoft and ordinary users, so the likelihood of errors in them is minimal.
  • Enterprise: In addition to the Pro Edition features, you get the option to switch to the LTSB (Long Term Servicing Branch). Updates come here from long delays, and large updates - with huge ones. All for the sake of stability.
  • Education: everything here is similar to the Pro edition.
  • S: Update settings in Windows 10 S are also completely similar to the Pro edition.

What features differ between Windows 10 Home, Pro, Enterprise and other editions?

Let's look at others functional differences editions of Windows 10.

  • Home SL: This edition is the most limited. You only get the basic features of Windows 10. A rather unpleasant aspect is the lack official opportunity changing the system language. However, it is still possible.
  • Home: The functionality of this edition is absolutely similar to Home SL, with the exception of changing the main system language: in Home it is possible without problems.
  • Pro: Compared to Windows 10 Home, you get quite a lot additional functions. Note the availability of the editor group policies, which allows for flexible setup systems, built-in mechanism Bitlocker encryption, the ability to activate and . There are also some corporate features available that are not useful to the average user.
  • Enterprise: the most functional edition. In addition to Windows capabilities 10 Pro has powerful protection mechanisms (though you need to learn how to use them), Direct functions Access, Windows-To-Go (the ability to create a USB flash drive with Windows 10 that can be used on different computers), BranchCache and more.
  • Education: Functionality is similar to the Enterprise edition.
  • S: main feature this edition is blocking the installation classical programs. You will only be able to download apps from the Windows Store. In addition, the ability to change standard browser(Microsoft Edge) and search engine(Yandex in Russia, Ukraine, Belarus, Turkey, Bing in the USA and European countries). All other functionality is similar to the Pro edition, with the exception of a few proprietary features created specifically for educational institutions.

How to Download Windows 10 Home SL, Home, Pro and Enterprise ISO Images

We have already told how from the official Microsoft website. Let's figure out which sites listed in the corresponding article can be used to download specific editions.

Official site

On this site, any user can download without any problems Windows ISO 10 Home SL, Home and Pro. To download the desired edition, select the following image:

  • Home SL: Windows 10 for one language.
  • Home / Pro: Windows 10. You can select a specific edition when installing the system from this image.

TechBench website by WZT

On a resource created by amateurs, you can easily download images of Windows 10 Home SL, Home/Pro, as well as Windows 10 Enterprise or Windows 10 Education. You don't need instructions for this: everything is pretty obvious.

Third Party Resources

If you are using other image sources, look at the ISO name or description. Usually its author indicates the built-in publications.

What do the letters N, KN and LTSB mean in the name of the image?

Even on the official Microsoft website you can see images of Windows 10 N or Windows 10 KN. Windows 10 LTSB can also be found on various resources. Let's explain what these letters mean.

What is Windows 10 N

Postfix N denotes a different set of programs built into the system, in particular, the absence Windows components Media Player. This subtype of editions was created after Microsoft's litigation in the European Union.

Microsoft provides images of Windows 10 Home N and Pro N to ordinary users. For people from most CIS countries, it is enough to know that Windows 10 N is not available in Russian or Ukrainian, so its use in Russia, Belarus, Ukraine or Kazakhstan does not make sense. If on some third party resources If you still see the N-image in Russian, then know that this language is integrated into the image by its author, which is why you may have problems later.

What is Windows 10 KN

KN editions are similar to N editions with the only difference: while N editions are created for EU countries, KN ​​editions are only available for Korea and only in Korean.

What is Windows 10 LTSB

We have already mentioned the term LTSB above as one of the Update options in Windows 10 Enterprise. Windows images 10 LTSB are created only for corporate users. Their main features are the following:

  • Lack of any built-in metro programs, including including Windows Store and Microsoft Edge.
  • The default update center is set to the LTSB branch.

If you don't want to deal with the lack of metro programs, then you definitely shouldn't use these images. If you need as much as possible clean Windows 10, then you won’t find a better option. Just keep in mind that licenses for this version of Windows are sold only to legal entities, and you will have to do something about activation.

What does OEM, Box, Retail, FPP and VL mean?

While downloading images on the Internet or simply discussing them with someone, you may come across terms like OEM, Box or Retail. They are usually used in the context of Windows 10 editions, and many consider them to be separate editions. In fact, all these names have nothing to do with the editions of Windows 10 and, accordingly, the functionality of the system, but indicate Windows license delivery channel. Let's look at this point in more detail.

What is an OEM license

OEM license- Windows license, which is tied to motherboard devices. An ordinary user cannot purchase such a license; it is available only to PC manufacturers at a fairly low prices(usually $10-20 depending on the edition of Windows).

The catch with the OEM license is that, according to the license agreement, it cannot be transferred to other devices.

What is a Retail, Box or FPP license?

Retail license- a Windows license that is not tied to anything and can be transferred to other devices. Regular users receive this type of license when purchasing Windows 10 Home or Pro.

Since such licenses are most often sold in boxes (with a disk or flash drive), the name is also common Box (box license) or FPP (Full Packaged Product). Note that in the context of Windows 10 licensing, the concepts Retail, Box And FPP mean the same thing.

What is a VL license

If we consider licenses for Windows 10, then VL denotes a volume license that is not available to ordinary users: it is intended only for large enterprise customers. Its peculiarity is the ability to activate several hundred systems at once with the same license key.

What is a Not For Resale license?

If you have come across a similar term somewhere (although it is quite difficult to come across it by chance), then know that Not For Resale means literally Not for resale.

Is the functionality of Windows 10 OEM and Retail different?

No, it's no different. The functionality and configuration of Windows 10 OEM or Windows 10 Retail does not depend in any way on the license delivery channel for it.

What are RTM, Final, RC and Insider

In addition to abbreviations indicating Windows 10 license distribution channels, you may come across the terms RTM, Final, RC and others. As with OEM/Retail, they are in no way associated with Windows 10 editions, but indicate the system version. Let us give an explanation of the main notation.

What is RTM, Final or Gold

RTM (Release To Manufacturing, release) - Final version system, which is released as official. Words Final or Gold in this context they mean the same thing.

What is RC or Insider

R.C.(Release Candidate) - a beta version of the system, which may contain shortcomings and bugs. This abbreviation was applied to Windows 7 and Windows 8. Starting with Windows 10, the designation is used Insider or Insider Preview. Insider builds are quite often unstable, so you should not install them unless absolutely necessary.

What is TH1, TH2, RS1, RS2 or RS3

Such terms refer to the codename of the version of Windows 10. We will provide information about all currently known versions of Windows 10, including codenames, version numbers and build numbers.

  • TH1 (Threshold 1)- version 1507 - assembly 10240 . Released in July 2015 under the name of the original version of Windows 10 ( IR). Status - RTM.
  • TH2 (Threshold 2)- version 1511 - assembly 10586 . Released in November 2015 under the name November Update NU). Status - RTM.
  • RS1 (Redstone 1)- version 1607 - assembly 14393 . Released in July 2016 under the title Anniversary Update(anniversary update AU). Status - RTM.
  • RS2 (Redstone 2)- version 1703 - assembly 15063 . Released in March 2017 under the name Creators Update (updates for designers C.U.). Status - RTM.
  • RS3 (Redstone 3)- version 1709 - assembly 16299 . Released in October 2017 under the name Fall Creators Update (autumn update for designers FCU). Status - RTM.
  • RS4 (Redstone 4)- version 1803 - assembly 17134 . Released in May 2018 under the name April 2018 Update. Status - RTM.
  • RS5 (Redstone 5)- version 1809 - assemblies 17xxx. Currently in active development, the update is expected to be released in September-October 2018. Status - Insider.

Now you know exactly how Windows 10 Home and Pro differ, and you also know how to distinguish the edition of Windows 10 from the license delivery channel or system version.

The proposed instructions will help you understand how to find out the version of Windows 10 using the operating system and using third party utilities. The first methods do not require the user to install any applications or even have an Internet connection. In the second case, you will have to download one of the many tiny utilities, which will provide the user with the required information.

What does it mean to find out the version of ten? This concept includes several definitions, which we will understand right now. Edition or Edition: Windows 10 comes in three editions - Home, Enterprise, Professional. Version - this value Windows changes after the release of sufficiently important or major updates. Assembly or build is the assembly number of the operating system in its current version. The bit depth can be 32-bit (also referred to as x-86) and 64-bit.

In this section, we will look at how to find out the version of Windows 10 using the tools provided by its developers, without downloading any applications.

Options menu

The simplest method to see information about the installed tenth version of the system is to go to the new “Options” menu.

It is called via Win+I or via “Start”.

In the window that appears with a tiled view of the elements, click on the icon labeled “System”.

Go to the last tab “About the system”.

Here all the information the user needs about the version, release and bitness of the system being used is visualized. It also displays information about the processor used and the amount of RAM.

About Windows

We execute the “winver” command by entering it into the command interpreter line (called using Win+R) or in search bar. After this, an information window will open with information about the installed version of Windows 10. It contains all the required information.

System Information

Another way to view information about the installed OS is the extended system information window. It is called by the “msinfo32” command, which is launched via command interpreter, command line or search line.

The window that appears contains all the information about Windows 10: its edition, version and build, bitness (type).

You can call the Start context menu and select “System” from the list that appears. In the information window that opens, you can find out the bit depth and Windows edition 10.

Command line

Universal system tool - command line allows you to visualize data about the version of the installed OS.

To launch it, use the Start context menu.

In the very first line of the window that opens, you can get data about the “tens” assembly.

After entering and executing the “systeminfo” command, the command line will display information about the bitness, build number and edition of the Windows 10 you are running.

Windows Registry

Direct access to the registry is provided by the registry editor built into the system. It is launched by the “regedit” command.

Then select the HKLM branch. In it we go to the “Software” section and then through the subsections: “Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion”.

Knowing English, you can easily extract the required information.

There are quite a few methods to find out information about Windows 10, but for beginners it is recommended to use the very first one - through “Settings”. Who can't get enough Windows tools 10, it is recommended to use one of the popular information utilities, for example, CPU-Z.

After launching the application, go to the last tab About or About the program. In the frame " Windows version or Windows Version" contains all the information you need.