This page provides a clear comparison and explanation of the major editions of Windows 10, Windows 11, and Windows Server. Understanding the differences helps in selecting the right OS for your environment — whether it's personal, business, or enterprise-level deployment.
| Edition | Target Audience | Key Features |
|---|---|---|
| Home | Home users | Basic features, no Group Policy, no domain join |
| Pro | Small businesses | BitLocker, Hyper-V, Group Policy, Remote Desktop |
| Enterprise | Corporates | AppLocker, Windows To Go, Credential Guard |
| Education | Academic institutions | Similar to Enterprise, with some student features |
| Pro for Workstations | Power users | ReFS, persistent memory, SMB Direct |
| LTSC | Embedded/Industrial | Long-Term Support (10 years), no major feature updates |
🔹 LTSC (Long-Term Servicing Channel) is useful for kiosks, ATMs, and embedded devices where stability > features.
| Edition | Target Audience | Key Features |
|---|---|---|
| Home | Consumers | TPM 2.0 required, Widgets, Microsoft Store |
| Pro | Professionals | BitLocker, Group Policy, Remote Desktop |
| Enterprise | Large companies | Windows Hello for Business, App Control, Analytics |
| Education | Academic setups | Similar to Enterprise, lower cost for schools |
| SE | Education-only | Lightweight OS for low-cost student laptops |
📝 Windows 11 Requirements:
| Edition | Use Case | Key Features |
|---|---|---|
| Essentials | Small businesses (<25 users) | Simplified UI, no Hyper-V, limited roles |
| Standard | General-purpose servers | Supports 2 VMs + 1 Hyper-V host, all roles/features |
| Datacenter | Virtualization-heavy environments | Unlimited VMs, Storage Spaces Direct, Shielded VMs |
| Azure Edition | Cloud-first servers | Hotpatching, SMB over QUIC, cloud-specific features |
🧩 Windows Server also includes Core edition (no GUI) and Desktop Experience edition (with GUI).
| Feature | Windows 10/11 | Windows Server |
|---|---|---|
| GUI by default | ✅ Yes | ❌ Core or ✅ Desktop Experience |
| Designed for daily use | ✅ | ❌ Primarily for services |
| Domain Controller capability | ❌ | ✅ Yes |
| Hyper-V | Pro+ editions | ✅ Built-in |
| Update cycle | Frequent | Longer (especially LTSC) |
| Licensing | Per device | Per core / CAL model |
| OS Edition | License Type | Activation Requirement |
|---|---|---|
| Windows 10/11 Home | OEM / Retail | Online activation (digital key) |
| Pro/Enterprise | Volume License / Retail | KMS or MAK keys |
| Windows Server | Volume License | Requires CALs, core-based licensing |
🧠 Choosing the right edition depends on your hardware, use case, licensing model, and whether the system is for personal, professional, or enterprise use.