There are many factors to consider when purchasing a new computer, with one of the most important being software.
One of the first choices to make is which operating system to choose. While macOS or ChromeOS have grown in popularity in recent years, Windows is still overwhelmingly the most popular operating system on the planet.
As it’s 5 years old at the time of this writing, Windows 10 is probably the OS you’ll pick. You may have noticed there are now three versions. Windows 10 Home, Pro and S each have their advantages and are designed for various users.
If you’re unsure which one is right for you, we’ll guide you through each step in an effort to make it easier for you to make that important decision.
Windows 10 S
The most straightforward and popular version of Windows 10 is S. Although it is in a few of the latest Microsoft devices including Surface Go, Surface Go, its restrictive nature means it doesn’t have an appeal to the masses.
Windows 10 Home vs Windows 10 Pro
Microsoft refers to Windows 10 S as being optimized for security and performance and provides a comfortable Windows interface’. The way it does this is by only allowing apps purchased from Microsoft Store Microsoft Store to be installed on the device. You’re also limited to Microsoft Edge as the sole browser. While this might be fine in the case of only Microsoft 365, Edge, and a handful of apps available from the store, you’ll soon run into problems if you decide to utilize any other program.
Windows 10 S is primarily intended for schools but it is also used for enterprise users too, but we’d not recommend it as your primary operating system due to the fact that there will be a day when you want an app that’s not available to find in Microsoft’s store. Microsoft store.
Fortunately, Windows 10 S is an operating system that is more of a mode than a complete OS, therefore, you can move out or upgrade to the regular Window 10 Home version for free by simply changing the settings on your device. It should be noted though that this is a one-way street which means that once you’ve switched out, you aren’t able to return to the previous version.
Windows 10 Prices
Price is one of the biggest distinctions, but you can purchase both versions cheaper than the official Microsoft price for both versions – PS119.99/$139.99 for Home, and PS219.99/$199.99 to purchase Pro.
As of this writing, you can purchase Windows 10 Home from Amazon at PS65.50/US$169.99 and Windows 10 Pro can be priced at surprisingly affordable PS63/US$109.95 at Amazon.
Beware of cheap offers as you may be emailed merely an activation key , which could or might not work. Make sure to stick to the official versions of retail versions. there’s no upgrade version that work with earlier version of Windows.
Windows 10 Pro features explained
What are these additional features in Windows 10 Pro and in particular, do you really need them if considering upgrading or installing Windows on a PC or laptop for use at home?
BitLocker
BitLocker is encryption software which lets security-conscious users fully protect their drives from hackers. Within Windows 10 Pro Microsoft has made some tweaks to the software.
The latest version allows users to secure individual files and keep the encrypted files alongside those that are not. Furthermore, they can be used in the same way as USB sticks, which improves the way that files can be shared among people with the appropriate clearance to read them.
Windows Update For Business
In Windows 10 Pro you get the option to defer updates, but this feature doesn’t really exist in Home. Microsoft forces patches and updates to Home machines automatically. You can stop them for a short period of time and then they’re gone, even in the latest Creators Update.
The capability to delay updates is designed to prevent unreliable updates from impacting business PCs. Additionally, updates may be put off for several months.
Hyper-V
Virtualisation is a further benefit of Windows 10 Pro, although few will want to use it. It’s like having a built-in VirtualBox. You’ll need to enable the feature in Windows 10 Pro manually, and it’s a good idea to check whether your PC has the necessary power for running virtualisation programs.
Offline files
The only way to access this feature is with Windows 10 Pro, Enterprise or Education, this enables you to work on files that are stored on the network when you’re not connected an external server, such as the NAS drive. This means you’ll be able to access and edit these files with having an internet connection. and the changes will be applied the next time you connect.
Windows 10 Pro for Workstations
It’s important to note that Microsoft offers a special version of Pro specially designed for more powerful PCs.
Features include a resilient file system and persistent memory, as well as faster file sharing and expanded hardware support. It is possible to purchase Windows 10 Pro for Workstation for US$309 or PS339.
Domain and other features of a business
Access to Group Policy Management and for access to Windows 10 Business Store are additional features that are reserved for WIndows 10 Pro. Microsoft has also announced the capability to sign up for Azure Active Directory, with one sign-on for cloud-hosted applications.
The only thing is that Windows 10 Pro support joining (or creating) a domain, which allows PCs to be added to a corporate network. With Windows 10 Home, you aren’t able to do this, and you’re pushed to use an Microsoft account instead of one that is local to you. This means that any PC or laptop you’d like to work on and access servers’ files will almost certainly need to run Windows 10 Pro.
Assigned Access permits a sysadmin make it possible for the Windows tablet to run an application (a extremely specific benefit that can be only used for the most affluent).
What do they have in common?
All versions of Windows 10 come with Cortana, Microsoft’s virtual assistant, which allows calendar entries, dictate opening applications, access local files, browse on the web, and even give directions all using speaking commands on your PC.
Windows 10 Home vs Windows 10 Pro
It’s also available on both versions of the Microsoft Edge browser is also accessible on both versions. It comes with a stripped-down Reading Mode that helps to clear out online articles, an Instapaper/Pocket style Reading List for saving articles which you’re not able take the time to read, plus the ability to annotate and share web pages.
A welcomed addition in Windows 10 is a fully integrated version of Virtual Desktops. This feature was available in past iterations of Windows however, it always required an additional program to get it working. Windows 11 pro can now create multiple workspaces on your PC with ease with the new Task View option. It is also possible to drag and drop open applications onto various desktops, making the whole process smooth, quick, and simple. For more information on this beneficial feature, check out our article on using virtual desktops in Windows 10.
Alongside these are the mobile-friendly features that work with Android phones so you can access texts and photos on your computer with parental controls and security features like device encryption to protect your information, Windows Defender anti-virus, security boot, firewall, plus touch-support and Windows Hello facial recognition on devices that have these capabilities.
Verdict
Windows 10 Home will suffice for the vast majority of users who just need to surf the internet and perform a little bit of work managing all their multimedia files. The advantages of the Pro version center on security and compatibility, however, of course, the benefit associated with these options will boil down to whether you actually intend to use these features or not. Many users don’t therefore, so you can save money and opt for Home instead.
If you go for a device running Windows 10 S then we suggest switching on Home or Pro unless there is a compelling reason to stay with it.