4.02 Identify basic features of Microsoft Windows editions

Introduction 

Windows is like a toolset with different versions and editions, each designed for specific tasks—whether for home use, professional environments, or educational settings. Just as you choose the right tool for a job, understanding the differences between 32-bit and 64-bit editions, their features, and compatibility helps users keep their systems running smoothly and effectively manage upgrades and updates. 

Window Versions 

Windows has been released in multiple versions, each introducing changes to the user interface, new features, and support for different hardware. 

32-bit Versus 64-bit 

  • 32-bit (x86) and 64-bit (x64) Editions: 

    • 32-bit CPUs can only run 32-bit editions of Windows. 

    • 64-bit CPUs can run both 32-bit and 64-bit editions. 

  • Memory Limits: 

    • 32-bit Windows is limited to 4 GB of system memory. 

    • 64-bit Windows supports much more RAM, with limits set for licensing purposes. 

  • Software Compatibility: 

    • 64-bit Windows can run most 32-bit applications, but 32-bit Windows cannot run 64-bit applications. A 32-bit version of Windows lacks the architecture needed to support the memory addressing required by 64-bit applications.   

    • 64-bit Windows requires 64-bit hardware drivers signed by Microsoft; without these drivers, hardware won't function. 

  • Recent Versions:  Windows 10 (from feature update 2004 onward) and Windows 11 are 64-bit only. 

Desktop Styles 

  • Core UI Elements: 

  • Desktop, Start menu, taskbar, and notification area are fundamental elements. 

  • Design Changes: 

  • The Start menu design has changed several times, including a phase with live app tiles. 

  • Feature update 1607 introduced dark theme support; subsequent updates refined theme options.

  • Windows 11 Updates: 

    • Taskbar is now center-aligned. 

    • New design for the Start menu. 

    • Improved support for multiple desktops, allowing separation of work and personal environments.

Windows Home Edition 

  • Target Audience: Designed for home users and small office/home office (SOHO) environments. 

  • Features: 

    • Windows 10 Home has fewer features compared to other editions. 

    • Cannot join a Windows domain network, which is more relevant for larger business environments. 

  • Common Uses: 

    • Managing secure use by family members. 

    • Sharing files (pictures, music, videos) within a home network or with smart devices (e.g., smart speakers, TVs). 

    • Configured for playing games. 

Windows 11 retains the same editions as Windows 10. Notably, setting up Windows 11 Home requires an Internet connection and a Microsoft account. 

Windows Home Licensing 

Windows Home supports two types of licenses: 

  • OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) License: 

    • Pre-installed on a PC or laptop and tied to that specific device. 

    • Support provided by the computer vendor. 

    • Most new devices with an OEM license can be upgraded to Windows 11. 

  • Retail License: 

    • Can be transferred between computers, but only installed on one device at a time. 

    • Supported directly by Microsoft and includes rights to upgrade to Windows 11. 

  • System Limitations for Windows Home 

    • Does not support multiple CPUs but does support multicore processors (up to 64 cores) and HyperThreading. 

    • The 64-bit edition can use up to 128 GB of RAM. 

Work and Education Editions of Windows 

Windows has editions designed specifically for work and education environments: 

  • Windows Pro: 

    • Targeted at small- and medium-sized businesses. 

    • Available through OEM, retail, or volume licensing. 

    • Includes management features for network administrators to control client devices. 

    • Pro for Workstations edition supports more advanced hardware. 

  • Windows Enterprise: 

    • Offers a full feature set. 

    • Available only through volume licensing, suitable for large organizations. 

  • Windows Education/Pro Education: 

    • Variants of the Enterprise and Pro editions. 

    • Designed for schools and colleges, available through educational licensing. 

Key Features of Pro, Enterprise, and Education Editions 

  • Domain Network Support: Unlike the Home edition, Pro, Enterprise, and Education editions can join a domain network, allowing centralized management of user accounts and system policies. This is essential in corporate networks where multiple machines and higher security are standard. 

  • Group Policy Editor (gpedit.msc): 

    • Used to create and apply settings for the OS and software applications. 

    • Allows uniform desktop styles and settings across multiple client machines via policies configured on Domain Controller (DC) servers. 

    • Not available in the Home edition. 

  • BitLocker: 

    • Provides full disk encryption, protecting data even if the device is stolen (assuming the user password isn't compromised). 

    • Not supported in the Home edition. 

  • Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP): 

    • Enables remote access to a computer over a network. 

    • While the Home edition includes the RDP client software, it does not support hosting an RDP server.  

Windows Pro and Enterprise Editions 

Windows Pro is available in three main licensing formats: 

  • OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) License: Pre-installed on a PC or laptop. 

  • Retail/Full Packaged Product (FPP) License: Can be purchased separately and installed on a single device. 

  • Volume Licensing: Allows businesses to obtain discounts for bulk purchases and create custom installation images for rapid deployment.

Windows Pro for Workstations includes all the features of Windows Pro but supports more advanced hardware, including: 

  • More maximum RAM. 

  • Technologies like persistent system RAM (NVDIMM). 

Windows Enterprise and Education editions are exclusively available through volume licensing. These editions offer additional features not found in Windows Pro, such as: 

  • DirectAccess: A virtual private networking technology by Microsoft. 

  • AppLocker: Controls which applications and files users can run. 

  • Microsoft Desktop Optimization Pack: Provides enhanced management and monitoring capabilities. 

For a full list of features for each edition, visit microsoft.com. 

As of Windows 11 feature version 22H2, Windows 11 Pro requires an Internet connection and a Microsoft account for setup if the computer is for personal use. 

Hardware and System RAM Support 

Windows Pro, Enterprise, and Education editions have more flexible hardware support than Windows Home: 

  • Multiprocessing Support: 

  • Pro and Education editions: Up to 2 processors and 128 cores. 

  • Pro for Workstations and Enterprise editions: Up to 4 processors and 256 cores. 

  • RAM Support: 

  • Pro and Education editions: Up to 2 TB of system RAM. 

  • Pro for Workstations and Enterprise editions: Up to 6 TB of system RAM. 

These expanded capabilities make Windows Pro and Enterprise suitable for businesses and advanced users needing robust performance and security features.  

Windows Upgrade and Update Guide 

In-Place Upgrades 

An in-place upgrade installs a new Windows version directly over the current OS, keeping apps, settings, and files—if they're compatible. Before upgrading, use a compatibility advisor tool to identify and remove incompatible software or hardware. 

Upgrade Paths 

Check that your current OS version supports an upgrade to the desired version. Vendors like Microsoft provide lists of supported upgrade paths. For example, Windows 10 paths are available here. 

Edition matters when upgrading. You can upgrade to the same or a higher edition (e.g., Windows 10 Home to Pro), but not from Home to Enterprise. Downgrading (e.g., Windows 10 Pro to Home) keeps files but not apps and settings. Downgrading from Enterprise is not supported. 

Feature Updates 

Microsoft Windows major updates that introduce new features or significant changes to the Operating System. Feature Update Versions are identified by a version number that uses the letter “H” in their names to indicate the half of the year in which the update is released.

For example, "22H1" refers to the first half of 2022.  The latest and final version of Windows 10, is 22H2 which refers to the second half of 2022; Windows 11 is currently in version 24H2 which was released in October of 2024.  

This naming convention helps to clearly communicate the timing of the updates, making it easier for users and administrators to understand when a particular version was released. This system replaced the previous method of using month-based version numbers, like "1607" for July 2016, to avoid confusion and better align with release schedules.

Quality updates focus on security and performance improvements. These updates are less likely to cause compatibility issues than feature updates but can occasionally affect hardware or software. 

Summary 

Understanding Windows versions and editions helps you choose the right tools for your needs, whether at home, in a small business, or a larger organization. Knowing the differences between editions like Home, Pro, Enterprise, and Education, as well as understanding 32-bit vs. 64-bit, licensing, and upgrade paths, ensures optimal performance and security. With this knowledge, you're equipped to keep your systems current and make the most of your computing environment. Keep exploring, and you'll enhance your tech skills and adaptability!