How Windows 10 Home is Different to Windows 10 Pro
Unless you have been living under a rock, or on holiday you could not have failed to notice the launch of Microsoft Windows 10 earlier this month. The objective is to have the same OS across a myriad of devices and finally have something to compete with and beat Android. At a practical level it’s worth pondering how Windows 10 home is different to Windows 10 pro. This is a key question for enterprise mobility projects with a preference for Windows considering a BYOD deployment.
What version of Windows 10 you are looking at will be optimised for smaller screen sizes allowing apps to look the same and sync across mobile and desktop devices instantly.
In the enterprise this effectively means the end of the .NET based Windows Mobile 6.5 which has for many years been the stalwart line of business OS for the PDA format. Windows 10 mobile is due to be made available at the end of 2015 and will have all the new ingredients of Windows 10 including the Edge browser but not IE. Given the right device hardware you will be able to plug into a display and utilise the Continuum interface.
Upgrade
If you are already on a previous Windows version and upgrade those running Windows 7 or Windows 8.1 will move to Windows 10 Home Edition. Windows 10 Pro replaces Windows 7 Ultimate, Windows 7 Professional and Windows 8.1 Pro. Even Home Edition gets the Edge browser Cortana voice controlled assistant and biometric login.
Windows 10 Pro will be the OS of choice for those businesses looking for more compatibility and security. Home Edition will be just fine for those looking to leverage the Edge browser managing media and doing rudimentary Office functions.
If you are unsure that your machine is up to it get some advice, read this first or buy a book
Key Features of Windows 10 Home Edition
- Focus on the consumer – Lower price to compete with Android Chrome and iOS.
- Cortana virtual assistant.
- Edge browser.
- Continuum the tablet mode makes the taskbar and the Start menu way simpler than with Windows 8.1.
- Apps from the App store will run on any Windows 10 device.
Why will some Enterprise Mobility Users adopt Windows 10 Professional Instead.
- Ability to join a Windows domain.
- Azure Active Directory for single sign on to cloud services.
- Hyper-V for virtualisation
- Enterprise mode Internet Explorer.
- Remote Desktop.
- A version of the Windows Store for your own business.
- Enterprise Data Protection containers – coming at the end of 2015.
- Company Policy.
- Security and Management.
- Bitlocker and EFS for file encryption and protection.
- Custom applications loading and management.
Other Versions
Windows 10 Enterprise is aimed at larger companies with volume licensing, no free upgrade.
Windows 10 Education aimed at educational establishments and BYOD scenarios.
A new OS across a multitude of devices, a perfect companion to our “write once deploy anywhere” mobile apps. Get in touch to learn more.
