The news was announced on the Windows blog yesterday. Microsoft lifted the lid on Windows 10 Home, Mobile, Pro, Enterprise, Education and Mobile Enterprise. Windows 7 and 8.1 users will get upgraded to the applicable Windows 10 version depending on their current operating system edition so Pro users will get Pro and standard users will get Home.
Starting with the simple, Windows 10 Home will be the primary version of the operating system and is likely to be the one most heavily used. This edition will come preinstalled on consumer computers, laptops and tablets and includes all of the core features of Windows 10 including Cortana, the new Continuum tablet mode, all of the new rebuilt Windows apps out of the box, the Microsoft Edge web browser and a new Xbox gaming experience.
Home is comparable to the “Home Premium” edition of Windows 7 or the standard variant of Windows 8 and Windows 8.1. Like both of these older operating systems, Microsoft will also be offering a “Pro” version of Windows 10 though that adds some additional features aimed primarily at power users and business customers.
Pro will include support for Windows Update for Business which will make it easier for system administrators to control the installation of updates onto corporate systems. It will also make it easier to manage devices and apps.
Aimed at medium to large businesses only, Windows 10 Enterprise will be available to Volume Licensing customers with an emphasis on maximum security and ease of deployment of Windows onto new company devices. Meanwhile, for the first time ever, Windows 10 Education will provide a special build of Windows to schools and colleges to make it easier for students and teachers to collaborate together.
Many have been waiting to learn what Microsoft has decided to title Windows 10 on phones as. After using a confusing mix of different names online, at conferences and on Twitter, Microsoft has finally decided to close the doors on “Windows Phone” and instead return to the “Windows Mobile” branding of old.
Windows 10 Mobile will be made available for free on all current Windows Phone 8.1 devices and will be joined by a specialist Windows 10 Mobile Enterprise build for business customers. This connects with Windows 10 Enterprise on desktops to make it easy for administrators to manage devices and again promises the latest security innovations.
