Windows 10 Pro vs Windows 10 Home – Know the Difference
Buying a laptop can be overwhelming, we talked about this three blogs ago. In this blog we hone in on the two versions of Windows you’ll be considering. Windows 10 Home gets the job done, but Windows 10 Pro gets the job done better.
How to Know Which Windows is Which?
When buying a PC, if it doesn’t say Windows 10 Pro, it probably is Windows 10 Home. Windows 10 Home also goes by “Windows 10” or “Windows OS”. If in doubt, ask the sales person, or check the part number on the manufacturer website. If you really want to make the right decision, let Pluto Micro be your guide.
If you are wondering what Windows is installed on your current computer, click the Windows button and type “About” click [About your PC], and look for the Windows Specifications section.
What’s the Big Deal?
There are plenty of management and security features in Windows 10 Pro has that the Home version doesn’t, but unless you’re in a business with 20 or so people, you won’t be taking advantage of those features. The two features that a #microbusiness owner should consider carefully before saving $100 buying the Window 10 Home are BitLocker encryption and Azure Active Directory. These two features are only available in Windows 10 Pro.
BitLocker Encryption
BitLocker encryption, when enabled, prevents any information stored on your computer from being accessed, should your computer fall into the wrong hands. Your data can easily by retrieved from a Windows 10 Home computer, even if somebody doesn’t have the password, by simply taking it apart and connecting the hard drive to another computer. I’ve done it many times for the right reason, but that means it can easily be done for the wrong reason.
You might say, “I don’t have anything important.” A business always has important data on their computers. By law, if we expose our customers’ private information, (e.g. someone steals your laptop and gets your customer list or email records) we have to report it to one privacy commission or another. That’s not so bad, but you also have to report it to your customer. Talk about embarrassing at the least, and business destroying at the worst.
Azure Active Directory
I’ll admit, that is about as nerdy techno title as it gets. Azure is a color, but not relevant here. What is an active directory, is that like a phone book with appendages? Azure Active Directory connects your Windows 10 Pro computer with Microsoft 365 like a dream. We’ve talked about Microsoft 365, how it is the best business software suite for any business, from micro to fortune 500. Only Windows 10 Pro can take full advantage of Microsoft 365.
The first advantage is security. You can manage your computer’s login from your Microsoft 365 account, yours and your teams, and even prevent a login if your team member, or their laptop, goes rogue.
The second advantage is you computer’s integration with application. For example, you sign into your computer with your Microsoft 365 account, and when you open Outlook for the first time it automatically finds your email account and sets it up. Your OneDrive would automatically configure and Microsoft Teams. Getting a new computers or switching laptops between teams members is super easy.
If you run a business, we highly recommend Windows 10 Pro. Windows 10 Home gets the job done, but Windows 10 Pro gets the job done better
