Which version of Windows 10 - Home or Pro?

[UKSBD]

I will be getting a new PC soon

Having read lots of contradictory information Online about whether you can use the Home edition of Windows 10 and the Home edition of Office when a small home based business, I'm still little wiser.

I've just read this by a Microsoft MVP

"Certainly. Words like "Home" and "Business" in the edition names are just
names. They don't say anything about where you can use those editions."

Does anyone know where to find a definitive answer?

 

[ffox]

Windows 10 -
http://www.techradar.com/news/softw...-10-pro-the-key-differences-explained-1299310

This is quite old (2016) but it covers the main OS differences (use the embedded page viewer to scroll through the screen shots). I use Windows 10 Home for all my business activities. The only thing lacking for me is the facility to RDP (remote desk top) back to the Windows 10 Home machine from another machine. You can RDP out from the Win 10 home device to a server though.

Office is different and it depends on what you want to do -
https://products.office.com/en-GB/compare-all-microsoft-office-products?tab=1

I use an E3 licence, not the cheapest, but it delivers all of the Office apps for use on up to 5 devices. Great for testing across IoS, Android, mobile phones etc.

Hope this helps

 

[Leo-InstallingIT]

You can use Windows 10 (Home) in a business without violating anything. Microsoft representatives have confirned it a number of times.

However the most definitive reason is non of the Windows license agreements make any mention of restrictions of use at Home/Business.

 

[UKSBD]

There is a section in the Windows 10 License that says,

"If the software version you acquired is marked or otherwise intended for a specific or limited use, then you may only use it as specified. You may not use such versions of the software for commercial, non-profit, or revenue-generating activities."

As it is called Home, could that not be interpreted that it is marked for Home use?

Office 365 Home shouldn't be used for Business, despite what a lot of Microsoft MVP's say, so why can Windows Home be used for business but not Office Home?

 

[Leo-InstallingIT]

That quote is from item 13 in the license agreement, which then goes onto define the restrictions - home not being one of them.

 

[MartinCivil]

Is it just one machine you will be running it on?

Realistically I wouldn't worry about it for either Windows or Office, I cant believe that anyone will have any way of telling what you are using it for, and even if they did, would it be worth Microsoft's time to track you down?

 

[SuffolkLad]

oddly enough, one of the reason MS introduced the 'home editions' was to get 'some' revenue as opposed to the none they were getting from work place licenses being abused. £60 much better than one - and it gets you and keeps you as a customer

 

[Violinni]

I will be getting a new PC soon

Having read lots of contradictory information Online about whether you can use the Home edition of Windows 10 and the Home edition of Office when a small home based business, I'm still little wiser.

I've just read this by a Microsoft MVP

"Certainly. Words like "Home" and "Business" in the edition names are just
names. They don't say anything about where you can use those editions."

Does anyone know where to find a definitive answer?

I always used the Pro version.

Main benefits are:

1. You have BitLocker. Means you can lock your USB drives, internal or external HDD drivers with a super secure password, and by my simple calculations — BitLocker is probably the most secure piece of code the regular consumer can have available at his disposal. Me personally, I don’t want anyone snooping around my data when I’m gone or if I lost my stuff;
2. No Hyper-V on the Home version, means you can’t create virtual machines. Virtualization creates a secure operating environment within your PC that allows you to run different operating systems, like Linux or Hackintosh;
3. Remote Desktop;
   
4. No Group Policy Management on the Home version. The Group Policy Management allows an IT admin to control which PCs do what. This is a serious drawback as we need the group policies even for managing settings of the local computer. The group policy is better than changing the settings through Windows Registry which is much more risky. Most of the group policy settings can be reverted easily while Registry editing can have adverse effects on the system.

You can use all versions for business, from what I’ve heard, and from my personal experience over the years. It’s licensed, so no problem. Nobody can force you to use a commercial truck over a hatchback as your company car.

Please, anyone, correct me if I’m wrong.

 

[SuffolkLad]

I think that with benefits 1 & 2 you have some really valid points.

With benefits 3 & 4, not sure they will benefit UKSBD. Remote Desktop and GPM do not seem to be issues they have had any dealings with, or are likely ot have any dealings with.

I think the simple truth is - what is the difference in price and what will you get that you need from that extra outlay.

I've always used the Pro version of Windows, but then I've enjoyed a history of getting MCP certifications in various aspects of Microsoft software and OS - so I understand how to make use of the extra benefits. Though I have to admit, I've not got an MCP for Win 10!

 

[Violinni]

I think that with benefits 1 & 2 you have some really valid points.

With benefits 3 & 4, not sure they will benefit UKSBD. Remote Desktop and GPM do not seem to be issues they have had any dealings with, or are likely ot have any dealings with.

I think the simple truth is - what is the difference in price and what will you get that you need from that extra outlay.

I've always used the Pro version of Windows, but then I've enjoyed a history of getting MCP certifications in various aspects of Microsoft software and OS - so I understand how to make use of the extra benefits. Though I have to admit, I've not got an MCP for Win 10!

The group policy stuff too. I use it often.

To disable the Windows 10 pass, you need to edit the Group Policies.

Some people hate having a Windows 10 password. When you restart, you have to be around the computer to type your password. And if you have an update going on, you’ll have to type your password in for 3 or 4 times in a row. Well that’s plain annoying. Especially if you’re at home.