{"id":900,"date":"2024-05-16T21:38:00","date_gmt":"2024-05-16T21:38:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.lakesidesoftware.com\/2019\/11\/14\/windows-10-pro-vs-enterprise\/"},"modified":"2024-06-21T14:31:25","modified_gmt":"2024-06-21T14:31:25","slug":"windows-10-pro-vs-enterprise","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.lakesidesoftware.com\/blog\/windows-10-pro-vs-enterprise\/","title":{"rendered":"Windows 10 Pro vs. Enterprise: What is the difference? Or is it time to upgrade?"},"content":{"rendered":"

Over four years have passed since the release of Windows 10. Windows 10 support will officially end in October 2025<\/a>. However, according to Lakeside\u2019s anonymized global endpoint data, only about 12% of Windows endpoint devices have been upgraded to Windows 11. And 88% of Windows endpoint devices are still on Windows 10. If your organization is one of the majority still on Windows 10, we will break down the differences between two business-oriented editions: Windows 10 Pro and Windows 10 Enterprise.<\/p>\n

And if you\u2019re already considering migrating to Windows 11, check out how to simplify your Windows 11 migration using data<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Windows 10 Pro vs.\u00a0Enterprise<\/h2>\n

One major difference between the editions is\u00a0licensing. While Windows 10 Pro can come preinstalled or\u00a0through 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\u2019s website (https:\/\/www.microsoft.com\/en-us\/windowsforbusiness\/compare<\/a>).<\/p>\n

Management and Deployment<\/h3>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
\u00a0<\/th>\nWindows 10 Pro<\/th>\nWindows 10 Enterprise E3<\/th>\nWindows 10 Enterprise E5<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
MDM (Mobile Device Management<\/b>)<\/th>\n\u2713<\/td>\n\u2713<\/td>\n\u2713<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
AAD (Azure Active Directory) Join<\/th>\n\u2713<\/td>\n\u2713<\/td>\n\u2713<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Domain Join<\/b><\/th>\n\u2713<\/td>\n\u2713<\/td>\n\u2713<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
MAM (Mobile Application Management<\/b>)<\/th>\n\u2713<\/td>\n\u2713<\/td>\n\u2713<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Shared PC Mode<\/b><\/th>\n\u2713<\/td>\n\u2713<\/td>\n\u2713<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Microsoft Store for Business<\/b><\/th>\n\u2713<\/td>\n\u2713<\/td>\n\u2713<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Windows Hello Management<\/b><\/th>\n\u2713<\/td>\n\u2713<\/td>\n\u2713<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Kiosk Mode<\/b><\/th>\n\u2713<\/td>\n\u2713<\/td>\n\u2713<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Windows Store Access Management<\/b><\/th>\n\u00a0<\/td>\n\u2713<\/td>\n\u2713<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
CEM (Customer Experience Management<\/b>)<\/th>\n\u00a0<\/td>\n\u2713<\/td>\n\u2713<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Cortana Management<\/b><\/th>\n\u00a0<\/td>\n\u2713<\/td>\n\u2713<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Microsoft Dynamic Management<\/b><\/th>\n\u00a0<\/td>\n\u2713<\/td>\n\u2713<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
App-V (Microsoft Application Virtualization<\/b>)<\/th>\n\u00a0<\/td>\n\u2713<\/td>\n\u2713<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
UE-V (Microsoft User Environment Virtualization<\/b>)<\/th>\n\u00a0<\/td>\n\u2713<\/td>\n\u2713<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

Security and Identity Information<\/h3>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
\u00a0<\/th>\nWindows 10 Pro<\/th>\nWindows 10 Enterprise E3<\/th>\nWindows 10 Enterprise E5<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
Conditional Access<\/b><\/th>\n\u2713<\/td>\n\u2713<\/td>\n\u2713<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Windows Hello<\/th>\n\u2713<\/td>\n\u2713<\/td>\n\u2713<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
BitLocker and BitLocker To GO<\/b><\/th>\n\u2713<\/td>\n\u2713<\/td>\n\u2713<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Windows Information Protection<\/b><\/th>\n\u2713<\/td>\n\u2713<\/td>\n\u2713<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Direct Access<\/th>\n\u00a0<\/td>\n\u2713<\/td>\n\u2713<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Direct Guard<\/th>\n\u00a0<\/td>\n\u2713<\/td>\n\u2713<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Credential Guard<\/th>\n\u00a0<\/td>\n\u2713<\/td>\n\u2713<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Windows Defender Threat Protection<\/b><\/th>\n\u00a0<\/td>\n\u00a0<\/td>\n\u2713<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

Analysis and Service Support<\/h3>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
\u00a0<\/th>\nWindows 10 Pro<\/th>\nWindows 10 Enterprise E3<\/th>\nWindows 10 Enterprise E5<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
Windows Analytics<\/th>\n\u2713<\/td>\n\u2713<\/td>\n\u2713<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Windows Update for Business<\/th>\n\u2713<\/td>\n\u2713<\/td>\n\u2713<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

Windows Basic Features<\/h3>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
\u00a0<\/th>\nWindows 10 Pro<\/th>\nWindows 10 Enterprise E3<\/th>\nWindows 10 Enterprise E5<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
Remote Desktop<\/th>\n\u2713<\/td>\n\u2713<\/td>\n\u2713<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Windows To GO<\/th>\n\u00a0<\/td>\n\u2713<\/td>\n\u2713<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
BranchCache<\/th>\n\u00a0<\/td>\n\u2713<\/td>\n\u2713<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Microsoft Desktop Optimization Pack<\/th>\n\u00a0<\/td>\n\u2713<\/td>\n\u2713<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

Feature Overview<\/h2>\n

To understand the above charts a bit better, let\u2019s overview some of these key features.<\/p>\n

MDM (Mobile Device Management)<\/h3>\n

In today\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n

Shared PC Mode<\/h3>\n

This feature allows for the configuration of shared environments for multiple clients.<\/p>\n

Microsoft Store for Business<\/h3>\n

A private store for organizations to manage application configuration, distribution, and creation.<\/p>\n

Windows Hello<\/h3>\n

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.<\/p>\n

Cortana<\/h3>\n

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.<\/p>\n

AppLocker<\/h3>\n

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.<\/p>\n

App-V (Microsoft Application\u00a0Virtualization)<\/h3>\n

Allows for the virtualization of application execution environments. Separating the application environment from the client operating system greatly improves security and management efficiency.<\/p>\n

UE-V (Microsoft User Environment Virtualization)<\/h3>\n

Captures, saves, and manages Windows 10 OS and application settings.<\/p>\n

Direct Access<\/h3>\n

Allows for remote access to virtual environments.<\/p>\n

Windows Information Protection<\/h3>\n

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.<\/p>\n

Credential Guard<\/h3>\n

Allows for virtualization-based security where access is granted to only privileged systems.<\/p>\n

Remote Desktop<\/h3>\n

Allows users of one Windows 10 device to connect to another Windows 10 device on the same network or internet connection.<\/p>\n

Windows To GO<\/h3>\n

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.<\/p>\n

BranchCache<\/h3>\n

Allows for access to content on remote servers for branch office workers, reducing WAN bandwidth usage and improving application response time.<\/p>\n

Microsoft Desktop Optimization Pack<\/h3>\n

A suite of functions that allow for application virtualization, group policy management, reduction of downtime, and monitoring of rule compliance.<\/p>\n

Is it time to upgrade to Windows 11?<\/h2>\n

With the clock ticking toward the end of support for Windows 10, your organization may be considering Windows 10 vs. Windows 11 instead of just Windows 10 Pro vs Enterprise. If that\u2019s the case, Lakeside has compared the performance of Windows 11 against previous Windows systems. Lakeside CTO share an in-depth LinkedIn article<\/a> on the topic recently.\u00a0<\/p>\n

The Lakeside SysTrack platform<\/a> is installed on millions of devices across the globe. In addition to providing a platform for these organizations to resolve and prevent IT issues, and optimize their application and hardware at the organization, Lakeside gathers anonymized community telemetry data used to help provide benchmark data for our customers in their industries.\u00a0<\/p>\n

We classify systems into Excellent, Good, Fair, and Poor in terms of performance. The performance data is based off a variety of categories of data including, but not limited to, CPU Usage, Disk Usage, Faults, Network Latency, Memory Usage, and Startup Time.<\/p>\n\n