Windows 10 Professional Upgrade: Is It Worth It?
Understanding Windows 10 Home vs. Professional
Regardless of how you obtain Windows 10, whether through a free upgrade or with a new computer, the standard version is typically Windows 10 Home.
While functional for everyday tasks, upgrading to Windows 10 Professional requires an additional purchase.
Is the Upgrade Worth It?
Users who previously possessed a Windows 7 or Windows 8.1 Professional license are automatically eligible for a Windows 10 Professional upgrade via the free offer.
For all other users, the decision to upgrade hinges on whether the additional features justify the cost.
Key Features of Windows 10 Professional
Windows 10 Professional offers several functionalities not included in the Home edition.
- BitLocker Device Encryption: This feature provides enhanced data security.
- Remote Desktop: Allows you to access your PC from another location.
- Hyper-V: Enables virtualization, running multiple operating systems simultaneously.
- Group Policy Management: Offers centralized management of computer settings.
- Windows Update for Business: Provides control over update deployment.
These features cater primarily to business users and those with specific technical requirements.
Who Should Consider Upgrading?
If you require advanced features like remote access, data encryption, or virtualization, Windows 10 Professional is a worthwhile investment.
However, for typical home users, the benefits of upgrading may not outweigh the expense.
Windows 10 Home generally provides sufficient functionality for everyday computing needs.
Windows 10 Pro Upgrade Available for $99
For users interested in enhanced functionality, the Windows 10 Pro Pack provides a straightforward upgrade path.
Similar to the offering available for Windows 8, individuals running Windows 10 Home can upgrade to Windows 10 Professional directly within the operating system for a fee of $99.
This upgrade process doesn't necessitate a fresh installation of Windows. Upon payment, all features exclusive to the Professional edition are immediately activated.
Previously, with Windows 8.1, this upgrade was also distributed as a physical card containing a product code. Therefore, retail availability is likely to be present for the Windows 10 Pro Pack as well.
Targeted Features for Businesses and Advanced Users
The additional capabilities unlocked by the Pro upgrade are primarily geared towards business environments and users with more demanding needs.
Microsoft’s naming convention has evolved. While Windows 8 utilized "Windows 8" and "Windows 8 Professional," Windows 10 employs "Windows 10 Home" and "Windows 10 Professional," offering improved clarity.
It’s important to note that Windows Media Center is no longer available as a paid add-on. This feature has been discontinued by Microsoft.
Consequently, users who rely on Windows Media Center will need to either maintain older Windows versions or explore alternative media center software solutions.
Key Considerations
- The $99 upgrade unlocks all Windows 10 Professional features.
- No reinstallation of the operating system is required.
- The upgrade is accessible directly through Windows 10 settings.
- Windows Media Center is not included and is no longer supported.
The Windows 10 Pro Pack represents a convenient option for those seeking the advanced features of the Professional edition without the need for a complete system overhaul.
Assigned Access 8.1
This feature is linked to guidance on easily configuring a Windows PC for Kiosk Mode using Assigned Access.
Introduced within Windows 8.1, the functionality is still referenced as "Assigned Access 8.1" by Microsoft. It enables the restriction of a user account to launch a single, designated universal app upon login.
Ideal Use Cases
This is particularly useful for dedicated-purpose PCs, such as kiosks.
For instance, a computer could be configured to automatically open a web browser, limiting user access to only that application.
The system effectively runs in a locked-down state, providing a controlled computing environment.
BitLocker and EFS
BitLocker, Microsoft’s disk encryption solution, remains exclusive to Windows Professional editions. Utilizing this robust tool necessitates an upgrade for users of the Home edition.
BitLocker provides the capability to encrypt both internal storage devices and external USB drives. Furthermore, it supports the creation of encrypted container files for enhanced data security.
The Encrypting File System (EFS) offers comparable functionality. Like BitLocker, its full feature set is unavailable within the Windows Home operating system.
Device Encryption in Windows Home
Windows Home does include Device Encryption, which activates automatically on qualifying new computers. However, this feature is limited in its configurability.
Device Encryption functions only when logging in with a Microsoft account on a new PC equipped with the necessary hardware. Critically, it consistently uploads your encryption recovery key to Microsoft servers.
This automatic key upload represents a significant difference in control compared to BitLocker, where users typically manage their own recovery keys.
Consider these distinctions when evaluating your data security needs and the appropriate Windows edition.
Business Store and Private Catalog
Organizations utilizing Windows 10 have the capability to establish a dedicated, private area within the Windows 10 Store.
This private catalog allows users to explore and install applications that have been specifically vetted and authorized by their company.
Key Features for Businesses
Furthermore, businesses are able to purchase Windows Store applications in large quantities.
These bulk purchases facilitate streamlined deployment of software to company-owned devices.
Access to this functionality necessitates a minimum of the Professional edition of Windows 10.
The Business Store provides a controlled environment for app distribution.
- It ensures that only approved software is installed on company devices.
- Bulk purchasing offers cost savings and simplifies license management.
- The Private Catalog enhances security and compliance.
Essentially, the system allows for centralized control over the applications available to employees.
This is achieved through the creation of a curated selection within the familiar Windows Store interface.
The process of deploying applications is simplified, reducing the burden on IT departments.
It’s important to remember that the Windows 10 Professional edition, or higher, is a prerequisite for utilizing these features.
The Current Branch for Business in Windows 10
A related point to consider is the inability to disable or postpone Windows Updates on Windows 10 Home editions.
Microsoft’s policy dictates that Windows 10 systems should consistently remain current with updates. Specifically, users of Windows 10 Home are unable to defer the installation of feature updates.
Deferring Updates with Current Branch for Business
However, those utilizing Windows 10 Professional have an option to delay these updates by utilizing the “Current Branch for Business” (CBB) approach. This represents a more measured and cautious strategy regarding system updates.
The CBB allows for a period of testing; updates are initially rolled out to a large base of Windows 10 Home users for beta testing before reaching systems configured for CBB.
It’s important to note that Windows 10 Professional, by default, is configured to utilize the more rapid update cycle.
- Windows 10 Home: No ability to disable or delay feature updates.
- Windows 10 Professional: Option to delay updates via the Current Branch for Business.
This staggered rollout provides a degree of stability, as potential issues are identified and addressed by the broader user base before impacting organizations relying on the CBB.
Domain Join, Group Policy, and Microsoft Azure Active Directory Join
Related: What Is "Group Policy" in Windows?
For those needing to connect to a domain or administer PCs through group policy, the Windows Professional edition remains a necessity. These functionalities are typically deployed within business environments, rather than home networks.
The Local Group Policy Editor will still be inaccessible, preventing modifications to group policy settings on Windows 10 Home, mirroring limitations found in earlier Windows versions.
Organizations leveraging Microsoft’s Azure AD service can configure Windows 10 devices to authenticate directly with Azure Active Directory. This bypasses the need for a Microsoft account or a traditional Windows domain reliant on a local server.
This process involves selecting “This device belongs to my organization” during setup and subsequently logging in using Azure AD credentials.
Enterprise Data Protection
Enterprise Data Protection (EDP) represents a novel capability introduced within Windows 10. It addresses the scenario where devices house both personally owned data and corporate information.
EDP empowers organizations to designate specific universal applications as containers for privileged corporate data, thereby enabling enhanced protection measures.
This allows for the separate encryption of work-related data and, crucially, the possibility of remote wiping of that data without impacting the user’s personal files.
Furthermore, businesses gain the ability to monitor and track how this protected data is utilized.
How EDP Functions
Consider, for instance, an email application. It can be flagged as handling confidential email communications, triggering data protection and auditing protocols.
Should an employee depart the company, the organization retains the capacity to remotely erase all corporate data within that specific email app, leaving the remainder of the system untouched.
This granular control minimizes data breaches and ensures the security of sensitive company information when employees leave or devices are compromised.
- Data Segregation: Separates personal and corporate data.
- Remote Wipe: Enables selective data removal.
- Auditing & Tracking: Provides visibility into data usage.
The core benefit of EDP lies in its ability to secure corporate assets while respecting employee privacy, creating a more balanced and secure mobile environment.
Internet Explorer 11 Enterprise Mode
Related: A Guide to Enabling and Utilizing Internet Explorer 11’s Enterprise Mode
Despite Microsoft’s focus on the Edge browser as the default, Internet Explorer 11 remains a component of Windows 10. A specific feature, Enterprise Mode, is available within Internet Explorer on professional versions of Windows.
Essentially, Enterprise Mode compels Internet Explorer 11 to emulate the functionality of Internet Explorer 8. This is particularly beneficial when dealing with legacy websites – often internal business applications – that exhibit compatibility issues with contemporary browsers.
Prior to accessing this functionality, it is necessary to enable it through group policy settings. Without this initial configuration, the option will not be available.
All Windows 10 editions incorporate Internet Explorer 11 to ensure compatibility with older web-based resources. Enterprise Mode simply represents an additional advantage for professional users.
Understanding the Need for Enterprise Mode
Many organizations continue to rely on web applications designed for older versions of Internet Explorer. These applications may not function correctly, or at all, in modern browsers due to changes in web standards and rendering engines.
Enterprise Mode provides a solution by allowing these older sites to be displayed and operated as if they were being accessed using Internet Explorer 8, preserving their intended functionality.
- It allows continued access to critical, legacy business applications.
- It avoids the costly and time-consuming process of rewriting or updating these applications.
- It ensures compatibility without requiring users to switch between different browsers.
The feature is designed to be a temporary workaround, facilitating a smoother transition to modern web technologies when feasible. It is not intended as a long-term solution.
Hyper-V
Hyper-V is a virtualization solution integrated within Windows 10.
Initially developed for Windows Server, it became available on desktop versions starting with Windows 8.
Functionality
Similar to platforms like VirtualBox and VMware, Hyper-V enables the creation and execution of virtual machines.
This capability allows users to operate different operating systems within a window on their existing desktop environment.
It's important to note that this feature is exclusively available in Professional editions of the Windows operating system.
Users with Windows 10 Home will not have access to Hyper-V without upgrading.
Key Benefits
- Virtualization: Run multiple operating systems simultaneously.
- Isolation: Keep virtual environments separate from the host system.
- Testing: Safely test software and configurations.
Hyper-V provides a robust environment for developers, IT professionals, and anyone needing to utilize multiple operating systems.
The integration with Windows 10 offers a convenient and powerful virtualization experience.
Consider upgrading to Windows 10 Professional to unlock the full potential of this technology.
Remote Desktop
Remote Desktop functionality is a key feature for many users. This article details how to connect to remote systems.
Similar to earlier Windows iterations, Windows 10 Home provides a client application for establishing connections to Remote Desktop servers. However, it does not include the server component itself.
Windows 10 Editions and Remote Desktop
To operate a Remote Desktop server utilizing Windows 10’s integrated functionality, Windows 10 Professional is a necessity. The Home edition lacks the required server capabilities.
Fortunately, numerous alternative remote desktop solutions exist that bypass the need for Windows 10 Professional and often present a more streamlined setup process.
Alternative Solutions
Several options are available for those who require remote access without upgrading to Windows 10 Professional. These alternatives often provide comparable functionality.
These solutions can be particularly useful for users who need to access their computers remotely but do not want the complexity or cost associated with upgrading their operating system.
Consider exploring these alternatives to achieve remote access capabilities on Windows 10 Home.
Managing Windows Updates in Corporate Environments
Windows Update for Business provides network administrators with enhanced control over the deployment of Windows Updates across their organization’s devices.
Administrators can utilize this feature to strategically manage update rollouts, initiating updates in phased deployments, often referred to as "waves."
Key Capabilities
Configuration of maintenance windows is a core function, enabling administrators to precisely define periods during which updates are permitted and prohibited.
This allows for scheduling updates outside of peak business hours, minimizing disruption to productivity.
Furthermore, Windows Updates can be distributed efficiently within a business network using a peer-to-peer delivery system, even across geographically dispersed offices.
The Enterprise and Education editions of Windows 10 provide an expanded set of functionalities.
Access to these advanced features, however, necessitates a volume licensing agreement.
Advanced Features
- Windows To Go allows for the installation and execution of Windows 10 directly from a USB flash drive.
- AppLocker provides a robust mechanism for controlling which applications are authorized to run on a system, enhancing security.
These tools offer greater flexibility and control for managing the Windows environment within larger organizations.
