Windows 10 editions compared
The information on this page applies only to SFU's subscription to "Microsoft Azure Dev Tools for Teaching" - similar to the old "Microsoft Developer Network Academic Alliance (MSDNAA)" program the School had subscription to.
The information on this page is provided "as is" with no express or implied warranty of any kind.
For official edition comparison sheet, please follow this external link.
For official Windows 10 licensing, please follow this external link.
If you like to install Windows 10 from scratch, please check out this Q&A.
Special notes on the Windows Updates (or Microsoft Updates):
The option to select certain updates for installation is no longer available for most of the Windows 10 editions and most installations.
So, please keep a close eye on which updates are installed. If there is one update causes issue on your system, you should uninstall the specific update and report the bug back to Microsoft.
The capability of customize the installation of the updates is now reserved on Enterprise environment which are supported by IT professionals.
We have a few Q&As which help resolving the issues related to Windows 10 updates.
Comparison of Windows 10 editions (partial)
Hint: the "Education" edition is the most powerful one available for CMPT users from our subscription. Please purchase a license ($0.00) for this Education edition and download the latest ISO media for installation. As of 2022.01.04, please get "Windows 10 Education, version 21H2 - DVD".
| Edition | Description |
Remarks |
| Windows 10 Education | Windows 10 Education is available just for education customers in volume licensing programs. Windows 10 Education includes features from Windows 10 Enterprise that are ideal for advanced security, and the comprehensive device control and management needs of today’s educational institution. Windows 10 Education also enables simplified deployment in the education space; this edition provides a direct path for many devices to upgrade from Windows 10 Home or Windows 10 Pro. |
Recommended! Please purchase a license for it |
| Windows 10 Education N |
Windows 10 Education N includes the same functionality as Windows 10 Education, except that it does not include certain media related technologies (Windows Media Player, Camera, Music, TV & Movies) and does not include the Skype app. |
no longer available |
| Windows 10 (Multiple Editions) | The installation file contains Windows 10 Education, Windows 10 Professional and Windows 10 Home. Windows 10 Pro is designed for small and medium businesses enabling organizations to manage their devices and apps, protect their business data, facilitate remote and mobile scenarios as well as take advantage of the cloud technologies for their organizations. In addition to small and medium businesses, Windows 10 Pro devices would be a good choice for organizations supporting CYOD programs. |
no longer available
|
| Windows 10 N (Multiple Editions) |
The installation file contains Windows 10 Education N, Windows 10 Professional N and Windows 10 Home N. Windows 10 * N includes the same functionality as Windows 10 *, except that it does not include certain media related technologies (Windows Media Player, Camera, Music, Movies & TV) and does not include the Skype app. Windows 10 Home N - CMPT users: please do not use. |
no longer available |
| Windows 10 Enterprise | Windows 10 Enterprise builds on Windows 10 Pro adding premium features designed to address the needs of large and mid-size organizations (including large academic institutions), such as advanced protection against modern security threats, full flexibility of OS deployment, updating and support options; as well as comprehensive device and app management and control capabilities. | Access restricted to MSDNAA admins. |
| Windows 10 Enterprise N | Windows 10 Enterprise N includes the same functionality as Windows 10 Enterprise, except that it does not include certain media related technologies (Windows Media Player, Camera, Music, TV & Movies) and does not include the Skype app. |
Access restricted to MSDNAA admins. |
(obsolete) Special notes on the Windows 10 multi-edition Consumer media
This piece of information is obsolete as of year 2022.
From early 2018, we believe this media would be suitable for most of our users. You should always purchase/get this one (Windows 10 Multiple Editions) for home academic use.
This multi-edition Consumer media includes the following editions:
Windows 10 Education
Windows 10 Education N
Windows 10 Pro
Windows 10 Pro N
Windows 10 Pro for Workstations
Windows 10 Pro for Workstations N
Windows 10 Pro Education
Windows 10 Pro Education N
Windows 10 Core Single Language
Windows 10 Home
Windows 10 Home N
I have trouble updating Windows 10 with Feature Update, what I should do?
Please click here for answers.
Click here to get the detailed instructions on getting Windows 10 for your own computer.
Initialized @ 2015.07.30.