Microsoft just revealed a list of Windows 10 editions the company plans on releasing this summer. Windows 10 on all devices shares the same code, but the editions make it possible for certain products and customers to get highly optimized and tailored experiences. The software will be a free upgrade for existing Windows 7 and 8 customers when it launches in a few months. Luckily, you and I only need to worry about the Home edition because that’s geared towards everyday customers.
Normal Use
In total, there are seven versions of Windows 10 for varying needs. That may seem like a lot but, as started earlier, the normal consumer just needs to be concerned with one of them. The remaining six versions are geared towards professionals, phones, education and businesses. We don’t have to go out and decide which one to get. Windows 10 Home offers the core Windows 10 experience with features like the new Edge browser and Cortana. It also allows you to stream games from your Xbox One to your device. It’s designed for the everyday user. If you want business features like quick security updates, then you can always upgrade to Windows 10 Pro which will most likely be free with a product like the Surface Pro 3. Considering that the normal user doesn’t need access to that, Windows 10 Home is the version for them. That’s the one the majority of us need.
Fixed Editions
Windows 10 on phones and small tablets will be called Windows 10 Mobile. It will be the same across all mobile products. That’s about it. Many existing devices will automatically get it as a free upgrade. It’s just optimized for smaller screens that don’t have the processing power regular laptops do. Also, HoloLens will ship with Windows 10 and the Xbox One will get the update exactly the same way it does now.
If you’re a normal customer, you can stop reading here. Windows 10 Home is the only version you should be concerned with. If you run a company or are interested in robotics, you should read the next section to see what your options are.
Business Use
Enterprise, education and robotics customers will get other versions depending on their needs. Windows 10 Enterprise gives extra management features and companies can access it through a subscription. Windows 10 Mobile Enterprise is a modified version of Windows 10 Mobile that adds more management features that corporations want. Windows 10 Education is a version meant for schools and universities. Lastly, Windows 10 IoT Core is for individuals who wish to make sensors and robots. While Windows 10 is a free upgrade for normal consumers, the Enterprise versions will not be free for companies that wish to upgrade. Luckily, many small businesses only need Windows 10 Pro so it will be a free upgrade for them because they already own mobile workstations.
Microsoft has not yet revealed the standalone price for Windows 10. However, considering that Windows 10 Home, Pro and Mobile are free upgrades depending on the device, we don’t have to worry about it. I hope this article helped you make sense of the different versions and eased any concerns about the seven editions.
Let us know in the comments what you think of these versions. I’m glad there isn’t any Ultimate or other special version for regular consumers. Home is the one designed for the normal user so the majority of us only have to upgrade to that version. However, it’s great that Microsoft is offering a lot of flexibility to its business customers. What do you think?
Asher Madan is a games journalist, former News Writer (Gaming) at Windows Central. They contributed 182 articles to ICXM in 2015, focused on Windows and PC, and Xbox news: joined Future plc’s Windows Central in 2017 covering Xbox news, hardware, and reviews.