Optimizing the Choice of Windows 10 Editions

• Generally, organizations can choose between three different editions of Windows 10: Windows 10 Pro, Windows 10 Enterprise E3, and Windows 10 Enterprise E5.
• The choice between Pro and Enterprise editions balances management and security against cost.
• The choice between Enterprise E3 and E5 is a function of security.

Windows 10 has several editions that target different audiences with different features. The editions targeting organizations (versus consumers) include Windows 10 Pro and Windows 10 Enterprise. Windows 10 Enterprise is in turn split into two editions, Enterprise E3 edition and Enterprise E5 edition. Another edition, Education edition, is substantially similar to Enterprise edition. Choosing or standardizing on the right edition for an organization means balancing security and management features in the OS against licensing and operating costs.

(Windows 10 Pro for Workstations can be considered another edition, but it is not a factor in deciding on a commercial edition of the OS. See “Windows 10 Pro for Workstations.”)