Microsoft reveals six separate Windows 10 Editions will launch this summer

Microsoft has upped the amount of SKUs its Windows OS will be spread across as Windows 10 will launch six different versions.

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Microsoft has finally revealed the multiple editions it’ll be making available of its new Windows 10 operating system when it launches later this summer.

A total of six different Windows 10 SKUs will be available when the OS officially launches: Home, Mobile, Pro, Enterprise, Education, and Mobile Enterprise. Unfortunately, Microsoft has not disclosed the standalone pricing for each SKU, nor what each edition will feature and licensing specifics. Fortunately, Microsoft will be offering a free upgrade to Windows 10 for those who are running a machine with Windows 7, Windows 8.x and Windows Phone 8.1 for the first year of availability.

Here’s the Windows 10 SKUs Microsoft announced today:

Windows 10 Home: This is the consumer-focused desktop edition. It will offer a familiar and personal experience for PCs, tablets, and 2-in-1s and will include core features like Edge browser, Cortana integration, Music and Video apps, free Photos, Maps, Mail, and Calendar, and Windows Hello face-recognition/iris/fingerprint log-in capabilities. Those use Windows 10 Home on devices with screen sizes of 10.1 inches or less will also be able to receive Universal Office apps for free.

Windows 10 Pro: Mobile workers, tech enthusiasts, and other power users are being targeted for this SKU. Pro and Enterprise users can opt for Windows Update for Business which allows admins to opt to not receive all feature and security updates as soon as they become available.

Windows 10 Enterprise: Volume-licensing customers will be able to pick up this version of Windows 10. It’ll allow users to gain access to the Long Term Servicing Branch of Windows 10, which they can opt to receive security fixes only and no new features from Microsoft as they roll out.

Windows 10 Education: Staff, administrators, students, and teachers will be able to receive this version of Windows 10 through academic Volume Licensing. Microsoft says there will be paths for schools and students to upgrade from Windows 10 Home and Pro, although no information on how exactly that’ll occur has been detailed.

Windows 10 Mobile: This Windows SKU is designed for Windows Phones and small Intel- and ARM-based tablets. The core Windows 10 features are included as well as free Universal Office apps and Continuum for Phone support.

Windows 10 Mobile Enterprise: This version is for volume licensing customers only as it incorporates the latest security and feature updates to Windows 10 once they’re available.

A total of four main SKUs were made available for Windows 8: Windows 8, Windows 8 Pro, Windows RT, and Windows 8 Enterprise. With the announcement of six different SKUs, it’s obvious Microsoft wants to branch its next operating system to as many devices as possible, which could very well make it much easier to integrate many of its features. But one question still remains: Will we be able to stream our Xbox One games to all of these Windows 10 SKUs?

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From The Chatty
  • reply
    May 13, 2015 1:30 PM

    Daniel Perez posted a new article, Microsoft reveals six separate Windows 10 Editions will launch this summer

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      May 13, 2015 2:33 PM

      Windows 10 IoT Core for small footprint, low cost devices like gateways.

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      May 13, 2015 3:24 PM

      Is the pro version going to be free? Or only the Home one?

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        May 13, 2015 3:29 PM

        [deleted]

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          May 14, 2015 1:50 AM

          Their goal with Windows 10 is to get it on as many machines possible. I can't see why they would charge for the pro, since that is probably a large % of installed versions.

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        May 13, 2015 3:35 PM

        I'm sort of guessing that the Pro version will be a free upgrade for anyone on Win 7 Pro/Ultimate or 8 Pro

        But that's just a guess on my part at this juncture.

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          May 13, 2015 4:48 PM

          I'd hope so otherwise the WIndows 10 will be free is sort of a lot of hot air no? I've got Windows 8.1 Pro, I dont really want to downgrade.

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        May 13, 2015 3:50 PM

        yeah, does it depend on what you had before? Like, upgrading from win7 prof?

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      May 13, 2015 3:33 PM

      [deleted]

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        May 14, 2015 12:13 AM

        Win10Phone+large
        Win10noPhonePhablet-small
        Win10onaPlane
        Win10fortheBusLane

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        May 14, 2015 7:33 PM

        You forgot Windows10 2DS

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      May 14, 2015 7:11 PM

      My tablet just threw up a toast notification saying "Windows10 is ready". When I tried to open the notification it didn't show any more information and I can't find out where the notification came from so am investigating at the moment.

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        May 14, 2015 7:23 PM

        After further investigation it would seem that there is a new link to the Windows10 technical preview which only opens Windows Update.
        As the shortcut seemed to be added a while after the toast notification it may evolve during the day and I will be back to tell everyone what happens.

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      May 15, 2015 11:16 PM

      Because, through past experience, MS has learned that customers love being blasted with as many SKU's as possible.

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