What are the differences between Windows 10 Pro and Windows 10 Enterprise?

Windows 10 is one of the most popular operating systems in the world, and it comes in several different versions. Two of the most popular versions are Windows 10 Pro and Windows 10 Enterprise. While both versions share many similarities, there are also some significant differences between the two. In this blog post, we will explore the differences between Windows 10 Pro and Windows 10 Enterprise.

Licensing and pricing

One of the most significant differences between Windows 10 Pro and Windows 10 Enterprise is how they are licensed and priced. Windows 10 Pro is designed for small businesses and individual users, and it is sold as a one-time purchase. On the other hand, Windows 10 Enterprise is designed for medium to large businesses and is sold through volume licensing. This means that businesses must purchase a certain number of licenses for their employees, and the cost of the licenses is based on the number of licenses purchased.

Security features

Another key difference between Windows 10 Pro and Windows 10 Enterprise is the security features that are included with each version. Windows 10 Pro comes with several built-in security features, such as Windows Defender Antivirus, BitLocker, and Windows Hello. These features provide basic protection against malware, ransomware, and other threats.

Windows 10 Enterprise, on the other hand, includes more advanced security features, such as Windows Defender Advanced Threat Protection (ATP), Device Guard, and Credential Guard. These features are designed to protect against more sophisticated cyber threats, such as zero-day attacks and advanced persistent threats (APTs).

Device management

Windows 10 Enterprise also includes more advanced device management features than Windows 10 Pro. This is because Windows 10 Enterprise is designed for medium to large businesses that may have hundreds or even thousands of devices to manage. Windows 10 Enterprise includes tools such as Microsoft Endpoint Manager, which allows IT administrators to manage devices and applications across the organization.

Update management

Another difference between Windows 10 Pro and Windows 10 Enterprise is how they handle updates. Windows 10 Pro users have some control over when updates are installed, but they must still install all updates eventually. Windows 10 Enterprise users, on the other hand, have more control over when and how updates are installed. This is because enterprise users often need to test updates before they are deployed to all devices in the organization.

Virtualization

Windows 10 Enterprise also includes more advanced virtualization features than Windows 10 Pro. This is because virtualization is becoming increasingly important for businesses that want to run multiple operating systems or applications on the same device. Windows 10 Enterprise includes features such as Hyper-V, which allows users to create and run virtual machines on their devices.

Conclusion

In summary, while Windows 10 Pro and Windows 10 Enterprise share many similarities, there are also some significant differences between the two. Windows 10 Pro is designed for small businesses and individual users, while Windows 10 Enterprise is designed for medium to large businesses. Windows 10 Enterprise includes more advanced security features, device management features, update management features, and virtualization features than Windows 10 Pro. Ultimately, the version of Windows 10 that a business or individual user chooses will depend on their specific needs and budget.