The best version of windows 10. Which version of Windows to choose for work? Mobile versions of Windows OS

Today, the version of Windows 10 has already become a favorite among many users. Some people comfortably use the professional version of this software, others “use” the home version and remain quite satisfied with this state of affairs. However, those who decide to install this operating system for the first time are scratching their heads over the question of whether Windows 10 Enterprise or Professional is better?

How many versions are there in total?

Today, there are only seven versions of this OS available for users to choose from:

professional;
audit;
mobile;
home;
corporate;
server;
mobile-corporate.

But which build of Windows 10 is the best? Each of these versions is ideal for certain categories of users. If you make the right choice, you can use the new product from Windows with complete comfort.

Description of editions

Home

Today it is the most popular version of Windows 10 around the world. It comes with the Edge browser, as well as a biometric system that identifies users of the system. For security, this version does not require passwords; it recognizes the user by face and fingerprints. The computer running the Home version can run Xbox games.

Pro

This version is ideal for cases where the computer supports business applications. The developers claim that Windows 10 Pro is designed specifically for small organizations.

Supports Hyper-V virtualization, as well as the ability to encrypt the disk. You can use Windows Update for Business to update your software.

Enterprise

This version is actively used by the largest corporations and companies, as it works with support for complex functions such as:

Direct Access – the ability to remotely access without using a VPN.
BranchCache is an option that makes the update and download process much easier and faster.
Credential Guard and Device Guard are applications that increase your computer's security significantly.

Education

The Windows 10 version, as the name suggests, was created specifically for educational institutions and students in particular. Much like the Enterprise version, but without support for some specific features.

Mobile

This OS is applicable for Microsoft smartphones. Also, users of some Lumia with Windows 8.1 can. Mobile for business supports some business segment functions and has more fine-grained settings for updates and security policies.

Differences in editions

If you want Windows 10 to reach its full potential at home, then give preference to the Pro version. It is replete with all kinds of devices and professional applications, knowledge of which will help you use the system with maximum comfort.

Before you think about which Windows 10 is best to install, analyze for what purposes you will need it.

The new Windows 10 operating system has several official versions. These are: Windows 10 Pro, Home, Enterprise, Education and mobile versions Mobile and Mobile Enterprise. All these builds have their own number, which depends on the number of installed updates. These differences raise doubts among users, and therefore the problem of choice arises: which version and build of the Windows 10 operating system is better and which build to install on your PC?

Key Features of Windows 10 Versions

All 6 versions of Windows 10 can be divided into 2 categories:

For PCs, laptops, Transformer devices, tablets;
For mobile devices.

It is worth considering each of them to understand which version of Windows 10 is best to install on your computer.

Home build of Windows 10 considered a stripped-down version for desktop computers. This build has the Microsoft Edge browser, an accessible voice and fingerprint authentication system. The home version also supports games for Xbox One and most programs designed for Windows 7 and 8. However, data encryption, remote access and other useful functions are missing in this edition. The home edition of the new system build will be installed on all devices by default.

Windows 10 Professional Designed for those users who frequently use business applications and mechanisms such as Azure Active Directory. This OS supports disk encryption, Hyper-V virtualization, and multiple desktops. The system is updated through a separate utility, Windows Update for Business.

Windows 10 Enterprise is a corporate build for large companies. It is intended only for working with business applications, cloud hosting, and supports the function of remote access to a PC without using VPN technology. This version does not have the Microsoft Edge browser.

Name Education indicates that this OS is designed specifically for educational institutions. It has mixed characteristics of the home and enterprise versions.

How do computer versions of Windows 10 differ from each other?

To find out which version of Windows 10 you should install on your computer, we recommend looking at the key differences between versions.

Functions and components	Windows 10 Home	Windows 10 Pro	Windows 10 Enterprise	Windows 10 Education
Windows Update	+	+
Windows Update for Business			+	+
Start menu and its settings	+	+	+	+
Firewall and built-in Windows Defender	+	+	+	+
EFS Encrypted File System		+	+	+
Protecting corporate data		+	+	+
TPM support	+	+
Microsoft Edge browser	+	+
IE Enterprise Mode		+	+	+
Business Store			+	+
Windows Store	+	+
Ability to join a corporate domain		+	+
BitLocker Drive Encryptor		+	+
Hyper-V Virtualization		+	+	+
Remote Desktop	In client mode	In host/client mode	In host/client mode	In host/client mode
Device Guard protection			+	+
Cortana voice assistant	+	+	+	+
Group Policy Management		+	+	+
Direct access to PC bypassing VPN technology			+	+
Mobile Application Management	+	+	+	+
Upgrade to Enterprise version		+

Given the differences, the most fully featured version of Windows 10 is Professional. However, you should choose the edition and Microsoft product number based on personal preferences and the physical parameters of the computer itself.

Read in the review how the versions of Windows 10 differ – Home, Pro, Enterprise or Education. Which one should you choose and how to upgrade to the new version.

Microsoft developers have always released several versions of one operating system at once. Each of the assemblies differs from each other in available functionality, cost, supported bit depth and other parameters. Let's look at what versions exist and which one is best to use on your computer.

Windows 10 categories and their general capabilities

The developer divided all Windows 10 builds into 4 categories:

Home;
Professional (or Pro);
Enterprise;
Education.

The above assemblies relate to the Window 10 desktop OS. Microsoft has also developed a version of Windows 10 Mobile for smartphones and tablets.

What do Windows 10 versions have in common?

Before moving on to describing the differences between each OS category, let's consider their common features:

Support for virtual desktops. Windows 10 became the first system from Microsoft that has a built-in ability to work with multiple desktops at once. The user can launch a new workspace by clicking a single button on the toolbar. Switching between desktop tabs allows you to divide the work, but the desktop shortcuts will be the same for all screens;
Quick start. Now the user does not have to wait long for the operating system to turn on. Regardless of the characteristics of the computer, the tenth version of the OS will be launched on average in 10-20 seconds;
Economical battery consumption. This option is useful for laptops. The system has a built-in battery saving wizard, the use of which allows you to increase the autonomy of your portable device by 20%-30%;
Cortana assistant. All versions of Windows 10 allow you to work with a voice assistant. Commands can be spoken both to search for data on a computer and to surf the Internet. There is support for the Russian language. Also, Cortana recognizes more than 20 different dialects of English and will understand you even if you speak with an accent;
Multitasking. Windows 10 supports multitasking better than other Microsoft operating systems. This means you can run multiple heavy programs and games at the same time without significantly slowing down your PC. All tasks are loaded evenly into RAM;
Windows Defender pre-installed. Standard Windows Defender monitors all threats in real time, scans executable files and immediately warns the user about malware. Windows Defender is an excellent replacement for a classic antivirus if you use the operating system at home. Thus, there is no need to buy expensive antivirus software;
Personalization. The user can completely customize the desktop to suit their needs. Move the toolbar, adjust the size of shortcuts, the appearance of the Start menu, and many other options.

Also, each version of the system comes pre-installed with a new browser from Microsoft – MS Edge. The browser is distinguished by maximum compatibility with the OS, fast operation, absence of bugs and errors, a pleasant interface and the option to create notes directly on the web page screen.

You will have the opportunity to work with all of the above features of Windows 10, regardless of which OS version you choose.

Price range of Windows 10 versions

The official cost of each OS version is indicated in dollars. Please note that online stores or other points of sale may increase the retail price slightly (on average 10%-20%). Also, the price in the Russian Federation depends on the dollar exchange rate.

Prices (taken from the official Microsoft.com website):

Home – $119.19;
Professional – 199.99;
The Enterprise version is provided in the form of a paid subscription, which is purchased separately for each user. The annual subscription cost is $84. It is possible to purchase software monthly for $7 for one PC;
Education – $99.99. Also, this version is distributed free of charge to universities from all over the world that are participants in the DreamSpark project.

Windows 10 Mobile and Mobile Enterprise versions are free for users of Microsoft (Nokia) smartphones and tablets.

Let's take a closer look at the features of each build of Windows 10 OS.

Windows 10 Home

This version of the operating system is intended for private use. Perfect for installation on a home PC or laptop. The Home assembly is the most common, as it is with it that most computers and laptops are sold around the world.

Windows 10 Home supports all the basic features mentioned earlier and has Defender pre-installed. The system lacks utilities and applications that are not useful to the average user. Also, the developer removed support for the encrypted file system and network administration parameters. This made it possible to significantly speed up the operation of the OS and make it even more accessible for low-performance PCs.

Please note that the lack of hard drive encryption does not mean that the operating system is not secure. All user files and executable programs are scanned by the Firewall, and the OS update service always regularly installs the latest security and error correction packages on the PC.

Windows 10 Enterprise

The ideal version of Vidovs for business. Today, Windows 10 Enterprise is used by tens of thousands of businesses around the world. Its advantage is that the built-in tools of the system are able to provide all the necessary software tools for both a small company and entire corporations and companies with many branches and.

The advantage of this version of the system is its cost. It is more profitable to buy an Enterprise subscription for each computer for the required period than to install the professional version on all devices.

As for the Enterprise functionality, it differs from the professional version of the system (in which all management tools are available) only in the absence of a pre-installed MS Edge browser. If necessary, the browser can be downloaded from the official Microsoft application store.

Among the features of the assembly are the means of team interaction. The most important of them:

BranchCache is a utility that speeds up the process of finding and installing the latest updates;
Credential Guard Utility and Device Guard services are software whose task is to create a data protection system for the hard drive, RAM, incoming traffic, and network environment;
Direct Access is a system utility with which a local network administrator can set up remote control between two gadgets.

Windows 10 Pro

According to the developer, the professional build of the OS is also designed to work on home PCs and laptops. It is only suitable for advanced users who need to install business applications, virtualization and administration tools.

Distinctive characteristics:

Enhanced information security system (BitLocker). Thanks to the built-in ability to encrypt all files stored in disk space, you don’t have to worry about someone hacking your PC and gaining unauthorized access to the contents of the disk;
Hyper V utility is a built-in virtualization component. With its help, you can install and test the operation of other operating systems directly in the window of an existing Windows 10;
Built-in remote desktop access option (Remote Desktop);
A service for interacting with cloud storage, an application store, and a service for updating business application settings.

Windows 10 Education

The Education assembly is designed specifically for use by students and in educational classrooms. It is also oriented towards working with business programs and has MS Office installed.

Function support:

Direct Access – organizing remote access between two computers on the network;
Simplified setup of cloud hosting;
Built-in hard drive and RAM protection mechanisms.

In general, the capabilities of the “educational” version of Windows are similar to those of the Enterprise version, only the Cortana voice assistant is missing.

Mobile versions of Windows OS

All versions of mobile builds are intended exclusively for use by individuals on smartphones and tablets. The assemblies are distributed free of charge and are already installed in the purchased gadget. If it is necessary to use the enterprise version, the user can install it independently using the instructions on the Microsoft.com website.

Features of mobile versions:

Supports interaction with touch screens;
Continuum option, with which the user can enter the contents of the screen of a mobile gadget onto the display of another compatible device;
Pre-installed for working with documents and electronic presentations.

All updates to mobile builds are performed over the air. To check for the availability of new software, go to the system settings, section “Update and Security”, and install the available components.

How to find out the installed version of Windows 10?

You can find out which version and build of Windows 10 is installed on your PC using the built-in components. Follow the instructions:

Open the System Notification Center and click on the “All settings” field;

In the new window, click on “System”;

On the right side of the window, select the “About the system” section. Then on the right side of the screen, look for the Release and Version field.

OS update

To update the operating system, open the settings window again, as indicated in the previous section, and click on the “Update and Security” tile.

Make sure your computer is connected to the Internet. Click on the “Check for update” button. After receiving data from the Microsoft server, a field will appear notifying you about the need to update the system. If the most current update is installed on your PC, no messages will appear as a result of the scan.

To install the update, click on the “Restart now” button. During the system restart process, new components will be installed.

In the settings window, the user can configure automatic detection and installation of notifications.

Windows 10 versions - key differences

In conclusion, let’s summarize all editions of Windows 10 and their main characteristics:

Home is the version with the most reduced functionality. It can be installed even on a low-performance PC and is perfect for home use;
Enterprise is a corporate build type that the developer recommends for use in enterprises. Supports all the features of the professional build, but without the Edge browser;
Education – OS category for use in educational institutions;
Professional is the most complete and expensive version of the OS. Supports all administration tools, working with the network environment and has a powerful security system for the file system and user data. Has MS Edge pre-installed;
Mobile – assembly for mobile devices;
Mobile Enterprise – version for use by mobile corporate devices.

Share in the comments which build of Windows 10 is installed on your PC and why you chose it.

Which version of Windows 10 should I choose? What bit capacity? Which one is most suitable for gaming and which one is most suitable for mining? What should you pay special attention to when choosing? All this, and everything else that interests many users, will be discussed in this article.

Which version should I choose, 32 or 64 bit?

Depending on the bit depth, there are 32 and 64-bit operating systems.
The 32-bit system is designed for computers with up to 4GB of RAM. 64-bit, respectively, for computers with RAM from 4GB and above, up to 192GB.

You can view the amount of RAM on your computer in the system (computer) properties.

As for performance, modern processors (AMD or Intel) support both bit sizes. But there is no point in installing x64 on “old” computers; some commands may be missing, which can have a negative impact on performance.

The most popular build for ordinary users

An assembly is a modified Windows image in which unnecessary functions have been removed. Typically, such builds remove all services to increase performance and speed.

Let's look at the advantages and disadvantages based on the popular build of windows 10 uralsoft.
Advantages:

small size of the image and the system as a whole;
hacked windows, that is, an activation key is not required;
increased operating speed;
The assembly already includes all the necessary programs and settings for greater convenience.

Flaws:

possible registry errors;
Unstable operation of the system due to the removal of services.

It is worth noting that a lot depends on the assembler; there are assemblies with many disadvantages and only a small part of the advantages, and there are ones where one disadvantage cancels out all the advantages. Therefore, choosing windows by assembly is not the best option.

This is what a popular build from Uralsoft looks like.

Which version of Windows should I choose for gaming?

Windows 10 home is suitable for game lovers. This is the basic version that is installed by default, but with limited features compared to Windows 10 pro. The use of encryption, remote access, and group policy is not possible in this version.
However, in the home version, it is possible to open games from Xbox one. It is worth noting that programs for Windows 7 and 8 work correctly in Windows 10.

Which version of Windows should I choose for mining?

Windows 10 Pro is a popular version of the OS designed for using business applications. Suitable for small companies or home users. This version already includes everything you need - disk encryption, remote access and other functions.

Windows 10 Enterprice is another version of Windows 10 for mining, designed for large companies. Unlike previous versions, it is used exclusively for working with business applications. Features worth noting include Applocker for policy configuration and BranchCache for improving download and update flow. There is the possibility of remote access without turning on VPN, cloud hosting is available.

It should be noted that there are other equally useful versions of Windows 10.

Windows 10 Mobile. The name itself says that the OS is designed primarily for mobile devices. It is possible to connect to an external display. It is worth noting that users who have a windows phone-based smartphone should upgrade to windows 10.

The image above shows an example of displaying the mobile version.

Windows 10 Education is a version of the operating system for students and universities. The functions are the same as the Enterprice version. The difference is that this version should be connected to tablets, netbooks and smartphones with a diagonal of less than 8 inches.

Each version of Windows exists in several editions (releases). The older versions produced in the 90s had significantly fewer of them. The evolution of the operating system, Microsoft's adaptation to the modern market, as well as other circumstances have led to the emergence of new varieties of Windows. The latest version 10 is the leader in terms of their number. There are a huge number of its distributions - both functional editions and assemblies that record one or another state of the system. Let's try to understand them below.

Before starting a review of Tens distribution kits specifically, I suggest first looking at the original structure of the Windows varieties. This way we will understand the enormity of the scope of Microsoft’s main product.

Windows families

The main criterion for dividing Windows is families. The main families are:

Windows NT is a line of desktop systems (for PCs, laptops and tablets) and a line of server systems, starting with Windows NT 3.1 and ending with Windows 10 (and, accordingly, its server counterpart Windows Server 2016). Desktop NT are the ones that are used everywhere;
Windows Embedded – a type of system for terminals, ATMs, other machines and various equipment;
Windows 10 IoT is an operating system for production devices that has replaced Embedded, but with a large list of support for them. Among such devices are Smart Home automation systems;
Windows Mobile, also known as Windows Phone in an earlier release, is a platform for mobile devices.

Each family can have its own lines (as is the case with NT), its own versions, its own editions, its own sub-editions, etc. The “Ten” has even more divisions. If we download its installation ISO image not using the official utility from, but, for example, using the program, we will see a lot of possible distributions in the selection list.

In the case of “Ten,” we have not only a stable branch of the operating system, but also a branch within the framework of the project - a program for testing operating system innovations. Plus, since Microsoft has stated that at least in the near future there will be no new versions of the system, and the company is going to work on improving “Ten” in parallel with its use by the masses, as a result of this work, today we have a lot of builds and versions of version 10 itself We will return to all these varieties later, but for now let’s look at what editions of the system exist.

Windows 10 editions

Editions are the fourth generation of the Windows NT division. There are two lines in the family, the lines have their own versions, and each version has its own editions. Editions are provided primarily for the convenience of Microsoft itself, so it is more profitable for it to sell licensed copies of the operating system. The basis of trading is the Pro edition, from which it already dances in one direction or another. By cutting some functionality, the company reduces the license fee for using the operating system, thus making it affordable to a larger number of people. And by offering additional opportunities in editions for certain market segments, the company manages to sell the same thing, but according to the principle “For the poor, the price is a ruble, for the rich, two.”

In terms of cutting opportunities, by the way, the company must be given its due. Unlike processor manufacturers who push models for low-end laptops onto the market, knowing that such processors are unsuitable for use in modern conditions, Microsoft knows its limits and does not go too far. The basic Home edition of any version of Windows is capable of fully satisfying the needs of the average person.

So, what editions of Windows 10 are there?

Home (Home) - a basic set of “Ten” features with reduced features of the Pro edition, such as: group policy, BitLocker, Hyper-V, remote connection tools, connection to Azure AD, etc. Home is also limited in its ability to defer system updates for a certain period of time, as can be done in the editions above. This is a budget option for legitimate use of the system, but not the cheapest.

Home Single Language

The Home derivative, Home Single Language, is limited to using Windows within one system language only. She has the cheapest license key.

Pro (Professional) – edition with an optimal selection of functionality for advanced users.

Pro for Workstations(Professional for workstations) - an advanced sub-edition for powerful computers, in particular for server equipment. It appeared quite recently, along with the autumn major update. Its key feature is improved reliability of data storage, in particular, work with the file system.

Enterprise

Enterprise (Corporate) – edition for organizations, which provides enhanced security technologies and functionality intended for professional systems engineers on top of Pro capabilities. “Corporate” has a functionally reduced and long-delayed delivery of updates for enterprises and services that need a stable environment for the functioning of their equipment. Microsoft does not sell Enterprise to ordinary users, only to legal entities on a subscription basis. The company states that purchasing this edition by individuals is impossible in principle, but you can buy a license for Enterprise on the Internet quite often. And, naturally, not all points of sale of digital keys will require us to confirm our involvement in the business sector.

Education

Education is essentially the same Enterprise edition, only with the missing Cortana and the impossibility of switching to LTSB. The main difference between Education is its focus on the market of educational institutions and, therefore, distribution at a price several times lower than Enterprise. The edition can be purchased by universities, vocational schools, libraries, museums, charitable organizations, teaching staff of educational institutions and students themselves, if they are not part-time students. As a condition of purchasing the edition, Microsoft has the right to require documentary evidence of the appropriate status of the buyer.

Windows N is not a separate edition, not even a sub-edition, it is a variation of Home and Pro without Windows Media Player and some other components. Microsoft was forced to create a stripped-down assembly in 2004 in accordance with the requirement of the European Commission, which began to protect the interests of third-party European developers who released their multimedia products.

Windows KN also appeared forcibly. A couple of years after the European precedent, the South Korean Trade Commission made a decision against Microsoft, satisfying the claim of the developer Daum Communications and obliging the software giant to release on the South Korean market an assembly of the operating system without a standard player and Instant Messenger (a messenger on board Windows XP).

Windows 10 N and KN builds do not come pre-installed with Windows Media Player, Groove Music, Movies & TV, Voice Recorder, or Skype. Also, system synchronization functions, webcam, Cortana, opening PDF files in Microsoft Edge and other things do not work. Windows 10 N and KN are intended for Europe and South Korea, respectively, the territorial jurisdictions of the authorities that ruled against Microsoft. And since the existence of these assemblies is forced, naturally, the company does not disseminate information about them unnecessarily.

Builds and versions of Windows 10

If we open the properties of “Tens”, in the characteristics column we will see a mark about its version and assembly.

The build number reflects information about a specific set of Windows 10 functionality and changes frequently as updates are introduced into the stable branch after they have been “run in” as part of the Windows Insider program. Version numbers of “Ten” change less frequently; their change is timed to coincide with a series of updates. Version numbers are not sequential; they contain information about the date and month of release. In addition to numbers, versions have names - technical (for Microsoft developers and insiders) and marketing (simple concepts for ordinary users). There are several versions of Windows 10:

1507, Threshold 1, abbreviated TH1 – the first cumulative update of the “Ten”, released in July 2015;
1511, Threshold 2, abbreviated TH2, simply put, November Update - the second cumulative update, released in November 2015;
1607, Redstone 1, abbreviated as RS1, simply called Anniversary Update - the third cumulative update, released in July 2016.
1703, Redstone 2, abbreviated as RS2, simply called Creators Update - the fourth cumulative update, released in March 2017;
1709, Redstone 3, abbreviated RS3, simply called Fall Creators Update - the fifth cumulative update, released in October 2017;
1803, Redstone 4, abbreviated RS4 – a cumulative update scheduled, as we can see from the number, for March next year, which is currently under development. Some of the upcoming functional improvements to the system can already be tested as part of the Windows Insider program.

That's how many tentacles the giant octopus called Windows 10 has.

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