Windows 10 Editions as of Version 1709

Windows 10 editions are differentiated by the role and included features, the hardware Windows 10 can exploit, and the mode. Each of the curved-edge boxes in this illustration with a dark label, such as Home, represents an edition with a SKU that can be purchased in volume licensing or from an OEM.

Roles and features. The traditional differentiation of Windows editions is based on the availability of features and the supported hardware. In the center, Home includes features generally needed by consumers. Pro includes features for most users, including small business users and Windows enthusiasts. Enterprise E3 includes features designed for business users in larger organizations. Generally, each higher edition, such as Enterprise, includes all the features of a lower edition, such as Home. All three of these editions work with up to two processors and 2TB of RAM and support NTFS for file storage.

S mode. First introduced for Windows 10 Pro and later expanded to Windows 10 Enterprise, S mode refers to a locked-down implementation of either the Pro or Enterprise edition. On the left side, editions in S mode will typically be purchased preinstalled by the OEM on a device. Because S mode devices are locked down, a user cannot change most of the configuration settings, and only applications that are downloaded from the Microsoft Store (formerly the Windows Store) can be used, including an S mode-enabled version of the Office Suite. Because applications must come from the Microsoft Store, legacy Win32 applications cannot be used. However, Remote Desktop clients that support the Remote Desktop Protocol might allow such legacy applications, including a business’ proprietary line-of-business applications, to be accessed from Remote Desktop Services sessions or VMs.