Multiple versions of Windows 10 have been released since it came into effect, each with different features. And through all those versions, which one should you be buying? Well, there are a few things that you need to know before choosing/buying Windows 10, especially when it comes to Windows 10 Home and Pro versions. Although they may feel the same, they have a few differences.

This guide highlights the differences between Windows 10 Home and Pro versions by covering the below-provided aspects:

• • Windows 10 Home
  • Windows 10 Pro
  • How Does Windows 10 Home Differ From Windows 10 Pro?
  • Windows 10 Home vs Windows 10 Pro, which is Better?

What Major Features Does “Windows 10 Home” Include?

“Windows 10 Home” comes loaded with all the features a normal user would desire, such as Cortana integration, Mail, Photos, Media Players, Syncing, Calendar, and much more. It has enhanced security features that provide enough protection against viruses, ransomware, and malware, with the need for a third-party antivirus. Here are some features responsible for providing robust security:

• • Microsoft Defender
  • Parental Controls
  • Network and Firewall protection
  • Parental Controls
  • Device Encryption

What Major Features Does “Windows 10 Pro” Include?

“Windows 10 Pro” is mainly focused on the business community. It adds additional features for data security and provides support for multi-user management. If you are using “Windows 10 Pro”, you should not worry about your data being misused after the device is misplaced or stolen. It is because of the inclusion of “Bitlocker device encryption” that provides full disk encryption. Other features include the following:

• • Group Policy Management
  • Bitlocker
  • Remote Desktop
  • Hyper-V for virtualization
  • Remote Desktop
  • Domain Connectivity
  • Access Management

What is the Difference Between Windows 10 Home and Pro?

Before we move on to the detailed discussion of the differences, here is a table showing the core difference between Windows 10 Home and Pro:

 
Here is a brief explanation of the above features.

BitLocker Device Encryption

To maintain the security of Windows Operating systems, “BitLocker Device Encryption” was introduced. It provides offline protection for the data even when the system is compromised. Using this, the data remains protected even when the operating system is not running by encrypting the whole system, including the OS.

It is not recommended for everyone, but it is highly useful for individuals who travel a lot and may lose their laptops, using which their data can be used against them.

Windows Information Protection

“Windows Information Protection” or “WIP” is a security feature supported by Windows 10 Pro version. It protects the system against data leakage. The administrators can view the audit report providing a detailed view of the behavior of users within the network, including the logs.

Group Policy

Windows 10 Pro includes “Group Policy,” using which the system administrators can efficiently configure and manage multiple users and computers on a network.

Active Directory Support

Windows 10 Pro is designed for business use and includes the ability to connect to a domain. It is used to manage their network and domain infrastructure more effectively.

Azure Active Directory Support

Windows 10 Pro supports a single login that users can access across all Microsoft Services. It is much easier to manage and work efficiently within a network.

Mobile Device Management

“Mobile Device Management(MDM)” is there to help administrators enforce the policies to prevent data leaks on the provided Windows devices.

Microsoft Business Store

Microsoft provides a business store using which the administrators can easily manage and distribute applications in volume. It can also manage the licenses on different apps.

Hyper-V

The “Hyper-V” allows users to run multiple operating systems on one PC in a virtual environment. It is a great tool for developers working on multiple OS and the ultimate replacement for “VMware” and “VirtualBox”.

Assigned Access

Windows 10 Pro comes with “Assigned Access” that allows the administrators to restrict user access to a single app, which is ideal for public shared workstations.

Note: All of the above-discussed features are not included in Windows 10 Home.

Windows 10 Home Vs Windows 10 Pro, which is Better?

Both editions of Windows 10, “Home” and “Pro”, are different as the Pro version has better management features and is considered more secure. Although these features (explained above) do not impact the normal user, it could be annoying as shutting down the Pro version takes some time. It is because shutting down all the services could take some extra seconds.

If you are a professional user, “Windows 10 Pro” is for you, however, if you are using it for normal use, opt for “Windows 10 Home”.

Conclusion

Both versions of Windows 10, the “Home” and “Pro”, have their own benefits. The “Home” version is suitable for normal use while the “Pro” version is for professional users. The Home version is clean and free from additional features/software, which is not useful for a non-professional user. However, the Pro version includes several enhanced features mainly focused on management and security.