Is Windows 10 Pro and Professional the same

Windows 10 Pro is the business version of Windows 10 that comes pre-installed on most PCs when you buy them from Dell, HP, Microsoft, etc. Windows 10 Enterprise however, is an add-on that sits on top of Windows 10 Pro for added security and mobile device management benefits. Windows 10 Enterprise can be purchased as a monthly subscription for $7 or $11 per user/month, similar to the other Office 365 licenses. There are two Windows 10 Enterprise licenses, they are called Windows 10 E3 and Windows 10 E5.

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Do I need Windows 10 Enterprise?

Windows 10 Enterprise is basically the fanciest anti-malware / anti-virus on the planet (specifically the Windows 10 E5 license). Windows 10 E5 can operate on all your devices no matter the OS (Linux, macOS, Windows 10), will automatically clean up any virus/malware it finds, then will give you a report as to whose devices are causing problems and where the attacks came from. It really is beautiful, you don't have to do any work.

Windows 10 Enterprise Pricing

If you do not already have Windows 10 Pro pre-installed on your PC then you have 3 options for pricing:

If you are on Windows 10 Home then you can upgrade to Windows 10 Pro for $49 per device
If you are upgrading from Windows 7 Pro then it's going to cost you $199 on the Microsoft website, but you can probably find it on Amazon for $99-$150
If your PC is old enough, maybe it's time to just use that money towards a new PC?

When it comes to Windows 10 Enterprise, there are two versions, 'E3' and 'E5'. And honestly, we think that only Windows 10 E5 is worth buying, don't even bother with E3. That's because E5 comes with Microsoft Defender for Endpoint, which you can learn more about and watch all the videos about it in our Windows 10 E3 vs E5 blog post.

In addition to buying Windows Enterprise 'a-la-carte' you can also buy them bundled in Microsoft 365 plans:

Lastly, you can also buy Microsoft Defender for Endpoint (previously called Microsoft Defender ATP) separate from Windows 10 E5, for $5.25 per user/mo.

Windows 10 Pro vs Enterprise Features

Windows 10 Enterprise has 37 additional features that Windows 10 Pro does not have. To see the extensive table with an explanation of each of those features (and see if they are relevant to you) check out the detailed Windows 10 Pro vs Enterprise table.

But the question is, do I need it? Yes for 2 reasons:

1. It integrates into the rest of the Microsoft tech stack. Having full control of everything IT under one roof and one admin center for your servers in Azure, users in Microsoft 365, and even managing their devices, their operating systems all in one place??? Sign me up.

2. If you're going to buy it, just pay the $4 extra for Windows 10 E5 simply for the Microsoft Defender for Endpoint and the automatic rumination tool. If you get some sort of ransomware or malware, E5 will actually automatically take action and clean it up and remove it without you the IT person having to do anything, which really saves your butt, and one or two stressful all-nighters cleaning that up yourself.

With Enterprise clocking 37(!) additional features to Pro, it's no doubt which one we think the best but only you can decide what's right for your organization. Questions? Comments? Leave us yours in the comments below or, feel free to start at chat with Mocha the Office Pug. He's very knowledgeable 😉

Over four years have passed since the release of Windows 10. With Windows 7 support ending in January 2020, many organizations are overseeing a complete transition to Windows 10. Here we will break down the differences between two business-oriented editions of Windows 10: Windows 10 Pro and Windows 10 Enterprise.

For those considering making the switch to Windows 10 from older versions, this overview will outline key differences between each edition so you can choose the one that will best fit your company’s needs.

Windows 10 Pro vs. Enterprise

One major difference between the editions is licensing. While Windows 10 Pro can come preinstalled or through an OEM, Windows 10 Enterprise requires the purchase of a volume-licensing agreement. There are also two distinct license editions with Enterprise: Windows 10 Enterprise E3 and Windows 10 Enterprise E5. As the chart below shows, E5 offers comparatively more security features than E3. You can find more information on how these editions compare on Microsoft’s website (https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/windowsforbusiness/compare).

Management and Deployment

Windows 10 ProWindows 10 Enterprise E3Windows 10 Enterprise E5MDM (Mobile Device Management)✓✓✓AAD (Azure Active Directory) Join✓✓✓Domain Join✓✓✓MAM (Mobile Application Management)✓✓✓Shared PC Mode✓✓✓Microsoft Store for Business✓✓✓Windows Hello Management✓✓✓Kiosk Mode✓✓✓Windows Store Access Management✓✓CEM (Customer Experience Management)✓✓Cortana Management✓✓Microsoft Dynamic Management✓✓App-V (Microsoft Application Virtualization)✓✓UE-V (Microsoft User Environment Virtualization)✓✓

Security and Identity Information

Windows 10 ProWindows 10 Enterprise E3Windows 10 Enterprise E5Conditional Access✓✓✓Windows Hello✓✓✓BitLocker and BitLocker To GO✓✓✓Windows Information Protection✓✓✓Direct Access✓✓Direct Guard✓✓Credential Guard✓✓Windows Defender Threat Protection✓

Analysis and Service Support

Windows 10 ProWindows 10 Enterprise E3Windows 10 Enterprise E5Windows Analytics✓✓✓Windows Update for Business✓✓✓

Windows Basic Features

Windows 10 ProWindows 10 Enterprise E3Windows 10 Enterprise E5Remote Desktop✓✓✓Windows To GO✓✓BranchCache✓✓Microsoft Desktop Optimization Pack✓✓

Feature Overview

To understand the above charts a bit better, let’s overview some of these key features.

MDM (Mobile Device Management)

In today’s increasingly mobile business environments, improper use of mobile devices often leads to costly security incidents. Central management of enterprise mobile devices is crucial in subverting these security incidents. MDM is able to monitor all enterprise mobile devices at once, analyze usage data for individual users, and apply appropriate security policies.

Shared PC Mode

This feature allows for the configuration of shared environments for multiple clients.

Microsoft Store for Business

A private store for organizations to manage application configuration, distribution, and creation.

Windows Hello

Offers password-less sign-in using biometric authentication, including facial, retinal, and fingerprint recognition. This feature has become increasingly important as cases of unauthorized third-party use of devices continue to rise.

Cortana

The virtual assistant loaded in Windows 10. Compatible with multiple languages, Cortana uses voice commands to assist in daily business tasks, including function calls and web searches.

AppLocker

Utilizes unique identities of files to create rules that permit or deny the running of select applications. These rules can be specified at the group or user level. This feature is vital in restricting access to important files and applications and improving security.

App-V (Microsoft Application Virtualization)

Allows for the virtualization of application execution environments. Separating the application environment from the client operating system greatly improves security and management efficiency.

UE-V (Microsoft User Environment Virtualization)

Captures, saves, and manages Windows 10 OS and application settings.

Direct Access

Allows for remote access to virtual environments.

Windows Information Protection

Prevents data leaks via email, etc. and improves security. This feature helps to maintain corporate confidentiality, as data leaks via emails sent in error are exceedingly common.

Credential Guard

Allows for virtualization-based security where access is granted to only privileged systems.

Remote Desktop

Allows users of one Windows 10 device to connect to another Windows 10 device on the same network or internet connection.

Windows To GO

Allows users to create an imaged version of the corporate Windows 10 environment on a USB flash drive and run it from their personal Windows 10-compatible device.

BranchCache

Allows for access to content on remote servers for branch office workers, reducing WAN bandwidth usage and improving application response time.

Microsoft Desktop Optimization Pack

A suite of functions that allow for application virtualization, group policy management, reduction of downtime, and monitoring of rule compliance.

Licensing and Subscriptions

Here we will go over the licensing options for Windows 10 Enterprise.

While Windows typically comes preinstalled with the purchase of a PC, Windows 10 Enterprise OEM has to be purchased and added separately. This additional license is a subscription-based fixed term contract, and assumes that the purchasing PC has an active Windows OEM license. Please note that white box PCs are ineligible for this volume licensing.

Also note that this license includes not only Windows 10 Enterprise privileges, but also that for connection to VDI environments. VDI can provide significant advantages in migrating to Windows 10, as well as in ensuring application compatibility.

Windows 10 Enterprise is loaded with the most widely-used Windows features in corporate environments. At the same time, update policies are subject to change, and enterprises should consider their own use cases regardless of the edition. In migrating from an older version of Windows, carefully compare the features of each edition to determine which is most appropriate for your company’s needs.

Free Windows 10 Migration Assessment

Before selecting a Windows 10 edition, the first step in any migration plan is an assessment of your IT environment. With Lakeside Software’s SysTrack, you can quickly and accurately collect data on your users’ PC environment to better inform your Windows 10 migration plan. SysTrack addresses hardware and software inventory migration concerns ahead of time, like whether your devices meet the hardware requirements for Windows 10, or whether certain applications or software versions will pose compatibility issues with migration. This allows enterprises to determine the necessary costs and scheduling of the migration process.

In selecting an assessment tool, get the most out of your investment by choosing a tool that can still be utilized after the migration is completed. Lakeside SysTrack is an assessment solution with an intuitive interface for managing desktop and application performance information.

Visit our Windows 10 assessment page to learn more about getting started with a free trial.

Lakeside Team

Lakeside Software is a leader in cloud-based digital experience management. Our team of experts explores the latest Lakeside features, digital employee experience strategies, and industry trends to provide readers with best information on end-user experience management, digital workplace optimization, IT asset rationalization, remote work management, proactive service desk operations, and other IT initiatives.

Are there different types of windows 10 pro?

Windows 10 has several editions, all with varying feature sets, use cases, or intended devices. Certain editions are distributed only on devices directly from an original equipment manufacturer (OEM), while editions such as Enterprise and Education are only available through volume licensing channels.

What's the difference between Windows 10 Enterprise and Windows 10 professional?

What is the Windows 10 professional?

Windows 10 Pro adds several advanced features, including Azure Active Directory, Domain Join, Windows Information Protection,¹ BitLocker,² Remote desktop,³ and a suite of tools designed for business use.