How Does it Compare to Windows 10 Enterprise? Windows 10 Pro for Workstations is not a superset of Enterprise—they are on par with each other and Microsoft plans to provide the same features in.
-->Note
Windows 10 Containers can only be used with Windows IoT Core and Windows IoT Enterprise for commercial deployments utilizing Microsoft Azure IoT Edge.
What is Windows 10 IoT Enterprise?
Windows 10 IoT Enterprise is a full version of Windows 10 that delivers enterprise manageability and security to IoT solutions. Windows 10 IoT Enterprise shares all the benefits of the world-wide Windows ecosystem. It is a binary equivalent to Windows 10 Enterprise, so you can use the same familiar development and management tools as client PCs and laptops. However, when it comes to licensing and distribution, the desktop version and IoT versions differ. Note that Windows 10 IoT Enterprise offers both Long-term Servicing Channel (LTSC) and Semi-Annual Channel (SAC) options. OEMs can choose the version they require for their devices.
Getting started
In order to start your journey in manufacturing with Windows 10 IoT Enterprise, you'll need to reach out to a distributor from this list.
From there, you can learn how to manufacture with Windows 10 IoT Enterprise with our the Windows 10 IoT Enterprise Manufacturing Guide.
Fixed purpose devices
Tip
See your licensing agreement for complete guidance on all Windows 10 IoT Enterprise usage scenarios. If you do not have this licensing agreement, ask the OEM you work with for the commercial agreement.
Windows is well known as the operating systems on laptop and desktops used by consumers and businesses world-wide. What is less well known is that for years, Windows has also powered many ATM machines, point-of-sale terminals, industrial automation systems, thin clients, medical Devices, digital signage, kiosks, and other fixed purpose devices. Windows 10 IoT Enterprise allows you to build fixed purpose devices with specific allowances and restrictions in the license agreement.
A fixed purpose device differs from a general purpose device in the following ways:
- The device is locked down to a single application or fixed set of applications through the Assigned Access or Shell Launcher features.
- The device experience is immediate when the customer powers-on. This is achieved by configuring the device image to skip the normal Windows out-of-box experiences.
- Keyboards, USB ports, and device policies are locked down to constrain the device to be used only in its fixed purpose.
- The OEM licenses the device to the user with the software attached to the device as a complete product and passes through specific Windows terms in their own agreements.
- The OEM provides the customer support for their complete product, including the functions performed by the operating system.
Long-term Servicing Channel (LTSC)
Specialized systems, such as PCs that control medical equipment, point-of-sale systems, and ATMs, often require a longer servicing option because of their purpose. These devices typically perform a single important task and don’t need feature updates as frequently as other devices in the organization. It’s more important that these devices be kept as stable and secure as possible than that they be up-to-date with UI changes. The LTSC servicing model prevents Windows 10 IoT Enterprise LTSC devices from receiving the usual feature updates and provides only quality updates to ensure that device security stays up-to-date. With this in mind, quality updates are still immediately available to Windows 10 IoT Enterprise LTSC clients, but customers can choose to defer them by using one of the servicing tools mentioned in the Servicing tools section.
Note
Due to the long life of the LTSC releases and the benefit of remaining on a specific release for 10 years, an upgrade fee will be charged for customers moving from one LTSC release to another.
Long-Term Support Silicon Details
The Windows 10 IoT Enterprise 2019 release will be a LTSC release. The list below encompasses all processors expected to be supported for this release. If you are planning to use an earlier release of Windows 10 IoT Enterprise, you can find details on the processor support here.
Windows 10 IoT Enterprise |
---|
AMD® 6th Generation Processors Series Ax-8xxx & E-Series Ex-8xxx & FX-870K |
AMD® 7th Generation Processors Series Ax-9xxx & E-Series Ex-9xxx & FX-9xxx |
AMD® Ryzen™ 3/5/7 1xxx |
AMD® Ryzen™ 3/5/7 2xxx |
AMD® G-Series |
AMD® R-Series |
AMD® V1xxx |
4th Generation Intel® Core™ Processors |
5th Generation Intel® Core™ Processors |
6th Generation Intel® Core™ Processors |
7th Generation Intel® Core™ Processors |
8th Generation Intel® Core™ Processors |
Intel® Atom™ processor E3900 series |
Intel® Atom™ x5-E8000 Processor |
Intel® Atom™ x5-Z8350 Processor |
Intel® Atom™ Processor E3800 Product Family |
Intel® Pentium® and Celeron® Processor N and J Series |
Helpful resources
Note
Additional resources may be available from your distributor to explain Windows EPKEA OEM Activation and provide guidance in generating your manufacturing-ready Windows IoT Enterprise WIM device image.
Since its debut in July 2015, Windows 10 has quickly become one of the most popular and most widely used operating systems in the world, especially in professional settings.
Also see our article How To Speed Up Windows 10 – The Ultimate Guide
Microsoft offers two business-oriented platforms based on Windows 10 OS – Windows 10 Pro and Windows 10 Enterprise. If you are looking to switch your company to Windows 10, there are many things to consider before making the final decision.
Read on to find out how Windows 10 Pro and Enterprise compare in some of the most important areas.
Windows 10 Pro
As its name says, Windows 10 Pro is Microsoft’s standard option for professional use. It is primarily oriented towards small and intermediate businesses looking for a good all-round solution and a solid OS. Windows 10 Pro offers many advanced features and functionalities unavailable in Home and other editions oriented towards casual users.
Windows 10 Pro scores high in the security section, offering significant improvements over the previous generations of Windows operating systems. It is easy to update and maintain, being almost identical to the Enterprise variant in this regard. However, it does lack some mobility options in the management section.
Windows 10 Enterprise
Enterprise is Microsoft’s top Windows platform designed for business use. It is primarily oriented towards intermediate and large companies and is only available through the Volume Licensing Plan. While visually almost indistinctive from the Pro version, Enterprise has many aces up its sleeves, especially in the security and management areas.
Windows 10 Enterprise scores exceptionally high in all major categories, with security section being its strongest suite. It also outperforms the Pro edition in the Management section. Enterprise is available in two tiers – E3 and E5 – with the E5 being the absolute pinnacle of Microsoft’s Windows for Business program.
Security
In terms of security, Windows 10 Pro outperforms earlier business-oriented Windows platform by a wide margin. It comes with Virtualization-Based Security (VBS) which can isolate parts of the operating system and prevent it from being corrupted and changed by malware and viruses. The Bitlocker is still there, allowing encryption of hard disks and removable storages. Hello for Business (used to read biometric data) is also featured on the Pro platform.
Windows 10 Enterprise contains all of the abovementioned features, as well as some additional ones. The bonus features include Windows Defender Credential Guard, Windows Defender Advanced Threat Protection, and Windows Defender Application Control. The ATP is available only with the E5 version of the Enterprise system and it uses machine-learning, analytics, and endpoint behavioral sensors to identify attacker procedures, techniques, and tools.
Upgrades, Migration, and Deployment
In this area, Windows 10 Pro features advanced Microsoft Deployment Kit (MDT) and Assessment and Deployment Kit (ADK), which allow seamless migration, updating, and deployment. They can be used in two ways – they can create reference images, as well as work as a full deployment platform (through server and domain controller).
Windows 10 Enterprise doesn’t differ much from the Pro version in this category, offering pretty much the same level of experience. This is probably the only segment of the Windows 10 Pro and Enterprise comparison where the two platforms are tied.
Management and Productivity
Windows 10 Pro scores pretty high in this category. It features the fantastic Universal Windows app which allows users from different platforms to simultaneously access the same app, using the same account. The apps accessible this way include OneNote, PowerPoint, Excel, Word, and Outlook. Pro users can also use Azure Active Directory, Business Store, and Group Policy management with a single account.
In addition to the above mentioned apps and features, Enterprise edition users also have access to AppLocker and DirectAccess. With the AppLocker, admins can prohibit certain apps from being accessed from mobile devices. DirectAccess, on the other hand, enables users from remote networks to access the internal networks.
Pricing
As of this writing, Windows 10 Pro will set you back around $200 per year, per one copy. It is possible to buy it through the Volume Licensing Program if you intend to buy five or more copies. However, make sure to check the prices with Microsoft before buying.
Windows 10 Enterprise copies can’t be bought individually, as they are available only through the Volume Licensing Program. The price depends on the size of the volume, which makes it hard to make a clear comparison between the two platforms. Also, the ability to buy long-term licenses further complicates the calculation.
Which One Is Better For You?
Windows 10 Pro might be a better solution if you’re running a small business and need a stable, reliable OS to run things. Also, Pro might be a good way for intermediate companies to test the waters before going all-in and switching to Enterprise.
Windows 10 Enterprise would probably be a better solution for big companies with a large number of employees, as they can take advantage of the License Volume Program. Also, the Enterprise is recommended to companies that need top-notch system security.