Believe it or not, Microsoft serves up 12 versions of its Windows 10 operating system. But what are the differences between Windows 10 Home and Pro? And what is Windows 10 in S Mode? Which one is right for you? Are the versions of Windows 11 the same as Windows 10? Home is the standard version of Windows 10, the baseline package designed for the general user primarily accessing Windows at home.

This version contains all the core features targeting a broad consumer market, such as the Cortana voice assistant , Outlook, OneNote, and Microsoft Edge. Home is still compatible with the Windows Insider program, but it does limit the security and group management services made available to other versions.

Windows 10 Home includes all of the features that are likely important to the general user. The free version provides 5GB, whereas you can get additional storage through the Microsoft subscription. Generally speaking, Windows 10 Home is light on professional features, but it does include mobile device management.

That might be helpful for individuals or families that want to control apps and security settings for connected phones. The professional version of Windows 10 includes many extra features designed for businesses. It has virtually everything offered by Windows Home, plus additional security and management services. This version of Windows 10 is typically purchased in bulk by companies or schools, though you can configure desktops and laptops to include it versus using Home.

These versions include extra features to buy and upload content in bulk. That all said, the additional features in Windows 10 Pro are valuable to IT administrators but not to the general PC owner.

Note that Microsoft combines elements of Office , Windows 10, and Mobility and Security features. Windows 10 in S mode is a version of Windows 10 that Microsoft configured to run on lighter devices, provide better security, and enable easier management. You can opt out of this mode and revert to Windows 10 Home or Pro see below. Functionally, S mode supports the same basic services as the underlying Windows 10 license. Microsoft targets schools in particular and wants educators to have the necessary tools for class management.

However, S mode also removes some significant capabilities to get these results. The first and most significant difference is that Windows 10 in S mode only allows apps to be installed from the Windows Store.

This limitation enables Microsoft to root out malware more efficiently and ensure a certain level of app quality, but it does limit what people can download and use.

Similarly, Bing is the default search engine for S mode activities. Startup times and app activities are generally faster in S mode, which is a plus. The reason for the speed is that there are no Windows legacy apps to slow things down. Files automatically save in the cloud via OneDrive, which helps avoid bloat on smaller hard drives. Any PC can be compatible with Windows 10 in S mode. A few PCs currently ship with Windows 10 in S mode. Also, several manufacturers make low-cost notebooks running in S Mode.

Windows 10 S mode has numerous limitations, including browser restrictions to Edge and only letting you use Microsoft Store apps. Step 2: Here, you will see a heading for Switch to Windows 10 Home or Switch to Windows 10 Pro, depending on which version can be enabled on your device. Below that, select the option that says Go to the Store.

Choose Get to start running the update, and confirm. There is a chance that this requires Admin access. Many sometimes have trouble with this step. Errors usually come from an out-of-date OS. Update Windows 10 and try again after a few hours. It can be challenging to work through all 12 Windows OS options to decide which one is right for your needs.

All three mainstream versions are on this list and should give you the best choices for general computing or school. Windows 11 is still in beta testing but comes in the same flavors as Windows It introduces some big visual changes like a new Start Menu, Taskbar, and more rounded corners — we compared Windows 11 to Windows 10 in a separate piece , if you want to learn more — but the core of Windows 11 is much the same.

When it comes to Windows 11 editions, the differences are very minimal. Everything we mentioned above also applies to the new Windows 11 operating system. There is, however, one exception. In Windows 11 Home, Microsoft mandates you to use a Microsoft account for login.

This can be removed once you set up the PC and add a secondary account, but it will be required the first time you boot up the system. Using a Microsoft account gets you a lot of extra experiences like cross-device sync, the ability to download apps from the store, and more. The iPhone 14 Pro may be more expensive than we expected. Microsoft claims Sony pays to stop devs from adding content to Xbox Game Pass. VR in a pair of glasses?

New research just made it possible. Where to pre-order the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 4: best launch deal. Overwatch is ditching loot boxes ahead of sequel launch.

How to Get Windows 11 or Windows 10 for Free (or Under $20) | Tom’s Hardware

 
This article compares every aspect of Windows 10 Home Vs Pro so that you can choose the best version as per your requirements. Microsoft offers Windows 10 in two versions: Home and Professional. It’s easy to understand on a conceptual level what this means. It would be best to have a valid product key or a digital license to get a free upgrade. What’s the difference? When you purchase an operating.

Windows 10 home vs windows 10 free.How to Get Windows 11 or Windows 10 for Free (or Under $20)

 
The Home edition also supports Windows Update – eligible to snag automatic updates from Microsoft – and also provides security measures such as Microsoft Passport. The Russian government had passed a federal law requiring all online services to store the data of Russian users on servers within the country by September or be blocked. Functionality may vary by device. July 5, Go here for more details on this battery life claim. Even during the free upgrade period, if you did not already have an eligible Windows license, a Windows 10 license was not actually free.