Windows 10 is the upcoming version of Windows from Microsoft and was released in Technical Preview version and the final version is expected to be out in couple of months time. The new version of Windows 10 comes with quite a lot of changes and also new features including Cortana, improved start screen/ menu and lot of new additions like task view.
Today, Microsoft has shared the details on the editions of Windows 10. Windows 10 will power an incredibly broad range of devices everything from PCs, tablets, phones, Xbox One, Microsoft HoloLens and Surface Hub. Windows 10 will come in 7 editions based on devices and business.
Here are the different Windows 10 Editions:
1. Windows 10 Home:
As the name indicates, this is a consumer-focused desktop edition. It offers a familiar and personal experience for PCs, tablets and 2-in-1s and will feature Cortana, new Microsoft Edge web browser; Continuum tablet mode for touch-capable devices; Windows Hello face-recognition, iris and fingerprint login; and right out of the box, a broad range of universal Windows apps like Photos, Maps, Mail, Calendar, Music and Video.
2. Windows 10 Mobile:
This is specifically for mobile devices and delivers the best user experience on smaller, mobile, touch-centric devices like smartphones and small tablets. It comes with new universal Windows apps that are included in Windows 10 Home, as well as the new touch-optimized version of Office. Windows 10 Mobile will enable some new devices to take advantage of Continuum for phone, so people can use their phone like a PC when connected to a larger screen.
4. Windows 10 Pro:
This is another desktop edition for PCs, tablets and 2-in-1s. It is based on Windows 10 Home and comes with many extra features to meet the diverse needs of small businesses. Windows 10 Pro helps to effectively and efficiently manage their devices and apps, protect their sensitive business data, support remote and mobile productivity scenarios and take advantage of cloud technologies. Windows 10 Pro devices are a great choice for organizations supporting Choose Your Own Device (CYOD) programs customers.
4. Windows 10 Enterprise:
This version builds on Windows 10 Pro, adding advanced features designed to meet the demands of medium and large sized organizations. It provides advanced capabilities to help protect against the ever-growing range of modern security threats targeted at devices, identities, applications and sensitive company information.
5. Windows 10 Education builds on Windows 10 Enterprise, and is designed to meet the needs of schools – staff, administrators, teachers and students. This edition will be available through academic Volume Licensing, and there will be paths for schools and students using Windows 10 Home and Windows 10 Pro devices to upgrade to Windows 10 Education.
6. Windows 10 Mobile Enterprise is designed to deliver the best customer experience to business customers on smartphones and small tablets. It will be available to our Volume Licensing customers. It offers the great productivity, security and mobile device management capabilities that Windows 10 Mobile provides, and adds flexible ways for businesses to manage updates.
7. Windows 10 IoT Core:
This version is basically for small footprint, low cost devices like gateways.
Free Upgrade:
Previously Microsoft has mentioned about the free upgrade to Windows 10 and today the company has made it clear on this aspect as well. Microsoft will be offering the full versions of Windows 10 Home, Windows 10 Mobile and Windows 10 Pro as a free and easy upgrade for qualifying Windows 7, Windows 8.1 and Windows Phone 8.1 devices that upgrade in the first year after launch. Once you upgrade, you have Windows 10 for free on that device.
