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THROUGHOUT THE DEVELOPMENT of Windows 10, Microsoft regularly mentioned how it would be one version that would work across all platforms.
That’s still true, but if you were expecting one general version of Windows 10, you’re going to be disappointed.
Instead, there will be seven different versions that you can choose from which will cover personal, mobile, business and education. These include:
Windows 10 Home: The standard consumer edition for PCs and tablets.
Windows 10 Mobile: The version designed for Windows smartphones and the successor to Windows Phone. It will also be available to any tablets with a sub 8-inch screen.
Windows 10 Pro: Similar to the standard version except it’s designed for small businesses.
Windows 10 Enterprise: An upgraded version of Pro, designed for medium and large scale organisations.
Windows 10 Education: Based on Windows 10 Enterprise (confused yet) and is designed for use within schools. Schools and students using Windows 10 Home or Pro can upgrade to Education.
Windows 10 Mobile Enterprise: An upgraded version of Windows 10 Mobile for larger businesses.
Windows 10 IoT Core: A small, stripped down version of windows 10 for cheap devices like Raspberry Pi and Internet of Things (IoT) devices.
This isn’t the first time that Microsoft has released different versions of Windows, it did something similar for previous versions, but the likely reason for different versions is why products like Office and OneDrive have enterprise versions.
Businesses pay more for services if it means extra perks and functionality and Microsoft is following the same logic here with Windows 10.
While upgrading from older versions of Windows is free for the first year of release, those who miss the window or need a new licence will have to pay for the privilege. The same will likely apply to those who want to upgrade to a better version (Home to Pro for example).
Windows 10 will arrive this summer although no official date has been provided yet.
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It’s not really any different than it has been before, you look back across all Windows versions and you see similar other versions. Just because people aren’t aware of them doesn’t mean they don’t exist.
For 99% of people there is only one version, the home one.
Great to be one of the 1%
Exactly. There was an enterprise version of NT 4.0 but nearly no one I have met had heard of it. £1500 a copy in 99 , no small wonder.
Makes sense.
The Core IOT system could be extremely handy for much older laptops/pc`s with less powerful processors and ram, thats if all the drivers needed are either digital and or compatible.
It’s for embedded devices rather than for laptops, not for user interfaces.
I don`t think so JH, but i am open to correction,
To my mind the kernel in the OS of windows 10 would essentially be the same throughout the range, just IOT would be a very very stripped down version ,and seeing as they all use the same apps I`m inclined to think that it will be able to work, no worries.
I am open to correction, and TBH time will tell as to what the limits are.
But, if it is possible, you could have an old PC that acts like a rocket with a keyboard whilst surfing the web.
I have a stripped down version of Win XP (named black edition) which does something very similar for older lappy`s and PCs.
I am open to correction JH, but i am leaning to towards it being able to be done, as it is essentially the same operating kernel at its foundation, plus that it can be used in conjunction with Arduino and microsoft visual, and uses the same apps as all the rest of the windows platforms.
Time will tell
I still use a win XP pared down os (XP black edition) for older pc`s from time to time
is like a rocket for web surfing
I have XP black on my living room desktop for streaming tv shows etc and also on my old work laptop. Honestly if your system has less than 4gb of RAM it’s the best OS. If XP could support 16gb I’d have it on my gaming PC too.
Windows has been offering different versions for years. How is this new ?
And this is the reason Microsoft will remain rubbish, have they still not learned from Apple that simplicity is key….
I hate simplicity I prefer to be able to do whatever I want with my computer not be locked down. Apple also haven’t learned to price people fairly. They’re prices are an absolute joke. They’re €3000 iMac has lower specs as my €1200 computer.
Did that work for windows 8?
Apple really have succeeded in dumbing down their users.
Yet people buy Apple. You’re pretty much forced to have Microsoft. Couldn’t agree more with all the other points, I type this on Windows 8 on a lapper that cost me a third of a macbook for the same specs. No denying Apples massive success through simplicity, sometimes I want to chuck Microsoft in the sea. Don’t make me update when I’m not ready Microsoft, I’m in the middle of something important.
I know someone who buys apple products because they look cool and because its apple. That is how most apple fanatics function, no thought into whether its worth it or not. And your not forced to use Microsoft. I have windows 7 on desktop because I like it and Linux on laptop. Windows also doesn’t force you to update you can postpone it for hours and it won’t bother you. Apple computers also need to update. Updates are not just a windows feature.
At least Microsoft are honest about their products. Apple is all spin. I Use an iMac, latest Mac Pro and two windows computers. Apple never reply directly to issues. They have dumbed the OS down so much recently that is is almost impossible to simple drag a few images off a memory card to the desktop! You keep being forced to use this new crappy Photos software. Look on the web to read the wonderful spin about the crappy Photos software that you cannot refuse to download if you want to keep your OS up to date.
Apple holds prisoners Windows open the doors.
Looking forward to the home edition of Windows 10.
A whole new market for Microsoft so…
Everyone making a big deal out of this…. It’s pretty normal and it’s a good thing! In reality, pretty much everyone will be using either Home or Mobile, so what’s the big problem? Home for your laptop, Mobile for your phone.
More versions =more ways for pulling your hair out.
Try running the enterprise version on a normal everyday home home computer and you will know what pulling your hair means. It makes complete semse
Cant wait for direct x 12 with the new os :-)
Anything to get the bucks, big corporations and greed. If they had only 2 or 5 versions ok but Education???
Education version is simply enterprise version but cheaper to education. It has the same issues to contend with re security sharing and networking.
How about a version for Apple products?
What Apple products do you have in mind?
There will be 14 different versions.
A 32bit and 64bit version of each of the 7.
(The 32 bit versions suit older machines).
7 Versions, and 2 types more like it.
Don’t think they are versions – they just handle memory efficiently for your chip type.
have your say