Licensing Windows 10 Enterprise

• For a variety of reasons, most large organizations will have to purchase Windows 10 Enterprise-related subscriptions.
• The best licensing option depends on virtual desktop use, previous OS purchases, and security requirements.

Windows 10 Enterprise is an edition of Windows with exclusive security and management capabilities designed for large organizations. The only way to license the OS and to acquire use rights necessary to fully exploit it is through one of several subscription types available exclusively through volume licensing programs. All alternatives to Windows 10 Enterprise-related subscriptions offer inferior product support, weaker security, or more limited manageability. This report explains why Windows 10 Enterprise is inevitable for most large organizations and summarizes how to choose appropriate subscription licenses to reduce cost and license compliance risk.

Why Windows 10 Enterprise?

Besides making key security features (such as the AppLocker feature to control which applications can run) and management features (such as the ability to block the Windows Store using Group Policy) unique to Windows Enterprise edition, Microsoft makes certain use cases, deployment scenarios, and add-on technologies predicated on maintaining Software Assurance (SA). SA is available only as part of Windows Enterprise-related subscription offerings. Furthermore, Microsoft leverages its support policies and product interdependencies to undermine the viability of other OS alternatives, making Windows Enterprise-related subscriptions the only practical long-term OS option for most large organizations.