List and Comparison of Windows 10 Editions (SKUs)

Almost all of us are aware of the new operating system from Microsoft i.e. Windows 10. If you are not using Windows 10 yet, you can download and install the free Windows 10 preview build in a test computer or in a different hard disk partition to try the new features and enhanced UI. You can also install it virtually using a virtualization software such as Virtual Box which will not affect your existing Windows version.

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Many Windows users ask about the different editions of Windows 10 when it becomes available for purchase or upgrade? How many editions of Windows 10 will be released by Microsoft? Will there be a single edition this time or multiple editions as we have seen in past for older Windows versions?

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The good news is that Microsoft has announced the official list of all Windows 10 editions aka SKUs (Stock Keeping Unit). So without wasting time lets share the list:

Windows 10 will be released in following editions:

  • Windows 10 Home
  • Windows 10 Pro
  • Windows 10 Mobile
  • Windows 10 Enterprise
  • Windows 10 Enterprise LTSB (Long Term Servicing Branch)
  • Windows 10 Mobile Enterprise
  • Windows 10 Education
  • Windows 10 IoT Core (special versions for small footprint, low cost devices)

Also Check:

Windows 10 S: New Cloud-Based Version of Windows 10

Windows 10 Pro for Workstations: New High-End Edition for Power Users

Now lets talk about these different Windows 10 editions in details:

Windows 10 Home

It is the main edition of Windows 10 which will be available in all Desktop PCs, laptops, tablets, hybrid (2-in-1) devices, etc. If you purchase a new Windows 10 PC from market, you’ll get Windows 10 Home edition installed in it.

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This edition contains all new Windows 10 features except some advanced features such as Group Policy Management, BitLocker, Remote Desktop, Client Hyper-V, etc.

Windows 10 Home edition will be available as a FREE upgrade for Windows 7 Starter, Home Basic and Home Premium editions and Windows 8/8.1 (without Pro) users during first year of Windows 10 launch.

Windows 10 Pro

Windows 10 Pro edition contains a few advanced features which will not be available in Windows 10 Home edition such as Group Policy Management, BitLocker, Remote Desktop, Client Hyper-V, devices and apps management and Windows Update for Business service.

Basically Windows 10 Pro edition is useful for small businesses. If you are a home user, Windows 10 Home edition will be the best edition for you.

Windows 10 Pro will be available as a FREE upgrade for Windows 7 Professional/Ultimate edition and Windows 8/8.1 Pro users during first year of Windows 10 launch.

Windows 10 Mobile

Windows 10 Mobile edition will be available for mobile phones and small tablets having screen sizes under 8 inches.

Windows 10 Mobile edition will be available as a FREE upgrade for Windows Phone 8.1 devices users during first year of Windows 10 launch.

If you are not aware, you can test the new Windows 10 Mobile OS using following link:

Download Windows 10 Technical Preview for Mobile Phones

Windows 10 Enterprise

Windows 10 Enterprise edition will be available for medium and large sized organizations. It contains all Windows 10 Pro edition features along with some advanced features such as Windows To Go Creator, AppLocker, Direct Access, Credential Guard, Device Guard, operating system deployment and comprehensive device and app management.

It will be available to all Volume Licensing customers including Active Software Assurance customers.

Windows 10 Enterprise LTSB (Long Term Servicing Branch)

Windows 10 Enterprise  LTSB (Long Term Servicing Branch) edition is similar to Windows 10 Enterprise edition but it’ll not receive any feature updates which makes it the most lightweight and stripped down edition of Windows 10.

It contains all Windows 10 Enterprise edition features but doesn’t contain any modern (metro) app like Store, Xbox, Cortana, Microsoft Edge, etc. It also comes with classic Calculator and Windows Photo Viewer programs which are not present in any other Windows 10 edition.

Related: [Tip] Restoring Classic Programs and User Interface in Windows 10

Windows 10 Mobile Enterprise

It is a special version of Windows 10 Enterprise edition developed for smartphones and small tablets. Similar to Windows 10 Enterprise edition, Windows 10 Mobile Enterprise will also be available to Volume Licensing customers only.

Windows 10 Education

This edition will be available for schools and has been designed to meed the requirements of school staff, administrators, teachers and students.

This edition contains all features of Windows 10 Enterprise edition except Long Term Servicing Branch.

Windows 10 Education edition will be available through academic Volume Licensing.

Windows 10 IoT Core

Basically Windows 10 will be released in above mentioned editions but there will also be some special versions of Windows 10 Enterprise and Windows 10 Mobile Enterprise for industry devices like ATMs, retail point of sale, handheld terminals and industrial robotics. Also there is another edition of Windows 10 called Windows 10 IoT (Internet of Things) Core which will be available for small footprint, low cost devices like gateways.

Also Check:

Windows 10 Upgrade Paths and List of Deprecated Features

Who Will Get Free Windows 10?

[FAQ] Upgrading to Windows 10 from Non-Genuine Windows

Published in: Windows 10

About the author: Vishal Gupta (also known as VG) has been awarded with Microsoft MVP (Most Valuable Professional) award. He holds Masters degree in Computer Applications (MCA). He has written several tech articles for popular newspapers and magazines and has also appeared in tech shows on various TV channels.

Comments

NOTE: Older comments have been removed to reduce database overhead.

  1. Now that the release date and list of Windows editions are known. Will all editions be released on the same date or will they be staggered? I am particularly interested in the Windows 10 Enterprise release.

  2. Your comparison does not have enough technical detail.

    What about NFS?

    What about web server ect. ??

  3. Ya so i am going to buy windows 10 enterprise but I am confused in enterprise and education. Can anyone compare them in charts..
    Best web found

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