Windows 10 education vs home – the differences explained

Windows 10 is globally one of the most used operating systems. Despite that, most people can’t decide on which version to use, so we will break all of the features down in our  Windows 10 Education vs Home comparison. 

Both operating systems are highly reliable and cost-effective. Nevertheless, we have figured out the differences and specific case uses of Windows 10 Education and Home. 

So, here’s our complete comparison between Windows 10 Education and Home without further ado.  

Windows 10 Education vs Home 

Windows 10 Education

Pros 

• More parental controls
• Easy sharing and networking
• Has education-specific features
• Features an AppLocker
• Cheaper

Cons

• No Cortana
• Not made for gaming

Windows 10 Home 

Pros 

• Made for gaming and video streaming
• Features Cortana
• Has multiple security features
• Is compatible with Continuum for tablets and Windows phones
• Easy To use for newbies

Cons 

• Not very cheap
• Limited parental controls 

Differences Between Windows 10 Education vs Home 

There are many differences between Windows 10 Education vs Home. These include: 

• Windows 10 Education is a lot cheaper than the Home version. This allows more students to work on computers without compromising the school’s budget. 
• Windows 10 Home features Cortana, your digital assistant powered by Microsoft. Windows 10 Education doesn’t have Cortana. 
• Windows 10 Education features an AppLocker along with credential protection security. 
• Windows Home is the best platform for supporting gaming and realistic in-game lighting. Windows 10 Education doesn’t feature any support for games.  

Similarities Between Windows 10 Education vs Home 

Despite their differences, there are a few similarities between Windows 10 Education vs Home 

• Both Windows 10 Education and Home allow you to maximize your physical memory.  
• These Operating Systems also feature hardware device encryption. This is a new safety feature on the Operating Systems.  
• Both the Operating Systems have family safety and parental controls to limit your child’s use of the internet.  

Comparison Chart

Feature	Windows 10 Education	Windows 10 Home
Maximize physical memory	Yes	Yes
Hardware device encryption	Yes	Yes
Parental/Teacher control	Yes	Yes
Cortana	No	Yes
AppLocker	Yes	No
Supports gaming	No	Yes
Cost	Cheaper	Expensive

Windows 10 Education Features 

Windows 10 Education is made for schools and small organizations to make teaching and testing easier. Here’s what it features:

Education Specific Settings 

One of the most significant differences between Windows 10 Education vs Home is its education-specific features. For instance, Windows 10 Education lets you set up school PCs using dedicated apps. This streamlines the process of a centralized school PC network, something that many newbies struggle with.  

In addition, Windows 10 Education features the Take a Test software. This is a digital assessment tool that helps you take tests on PCs. And that’s not all. Windows 10 Education also features faster login among shared devices. So, there is no lag in the school computer network.  

The result is a streamlined learning environment that doesn’t require an IT expert and is extremely easy to navigate. Windows 10 Education is teacher-oriented, meaning you always have complete control of what is being accessed on the computers. 

AppLocker 

Microsoft Windows 10 Education has another feature missing from the Windows 10 Home: the AppLocker. The AppLocker allows you to block out any harmful content, games or other unnecessary apps. This helps the students focus on the work at hand instead of wasting time on distracting apps. Additionally, it adds parental control on what the children are exposed to online.

Cost Benefits 

Windows 10 Education is significantly cheaper than the Home version since it’s made for larger organizations. This encourages schools and colleges to go digital and promote computer learning among young students.  

Windows 10 Education is also cost-effective for students who can’t afford Windows Pro or Home. They can simply access the computers at their school or college with ease.  

BranchCache 

A feature shared between Windows Server and Windows 10 Education; BranchCache is another unique feature of this OS. How this works is a bit complicated, so let’s break it down.  

Let’s say you have an organization that has multiple branch offices. And each branch office has multiple computers that must access certain files every day. Additionally, your computer can store something called cache, which allows you to fetch data faster.  

Instead of caching the files onto the main computer, BranchCache lets you cache the files to your branch computers. This means that the workers or students in one branch can easily access information without contacting the main computer.  

Security Features 

Windows 10 Education has many security features that will help you keep the school computers safe from hacking. The Education version has two new features aside from the regular security features included in the Windows 10 Home Edition.  

The first feature is credential protection. This means that only authorized personnel can handle certain files in simpler terms. So not everyone has admin rights. And the admins can choose who logs in by isolating single sign-in users.  

The second feature is endpoint detection and response. This feature monitors all the behaviors of the Education accounts. This lets you use analytics and machine learning to identify possible threats. It’s a great feature that aids in the investigation of malicious attempts.  

Here’s a summary video on the features of Windows 10 Education: 

Windows 10 Home Features 

Windows 10 Home is Microsoft’s proprietary OS for carrying out daily productivity tasks in your home and office. Here are its features: 

Security Features 

Windows 10 Home provides you with an ample amount of security features for your home and office computers. It’s pretty sufficient considering the average user’s security needs.  

To summarize, Windows 10 Home features firewall and network protection by default. Through this, you can keep yourself safe from malicious brute force attacks. Additionally, Windows 10 Home provides safety from ransomware. This means that your data and files will remain secure.  

What’s more, Windows 10 Home offers device encryption. It creates an additional layer of protection to keep all your information secure. Additionally, this Windows version comes with the Windows Defender antivirus.  

And that’s not all. Windows 10 Home also features Parental Controls to let you control your children’s access to the internet.  

Cortana 

Windows 10 Home has one prominent feature that some other Windows 10 lack: Cortana. Cortana is Windows’s take on a voice-activated digital assistant. It works more like Google Assistant or Siri. Cortana will help you get through the day with any form of productivity. 

And it’s coupled with other productivity apps such as Mail, Photos, Calendar, and your browser. Additionally, Cortana can make phone calls and emails for you. But you must have your phone connected to your computer for this to happen. 

Unfortunately, you can’t get Cortana in Windows 10 Education. It’s a feature that was removed by default to make the OS education-specific.   

Continuum Feature for Tablets 

Windows 10 Home has a special Continuum made for tablets and phones. In case you don’t know, Continuum is a feature that lets you change the device’s interface based on the size and shape of your device.

So, for instance, let’s say you have a 2-in-1 device that can be converted from a tablet to a laptop. With a tablet, you would be using the on-screen keyboard. But as soon as you turn it into a laptop by connecting the keyboard, your screen dimensions will automatically change. This is what Continuum does. It ensures your user interface is always the proper orientation and dimension, no matter what type of device you have.   

Gaming 

One of the key differences between the Windows 10 Home and Education is that the Home version supports gaming. It comes with advanced APIs that help max out the performance of your computer during gaming. Additionally, Windows 10 Home features the new DirectX 12 Ultimate. This is an amalgamation of the best graphics technologies found in PCs. There’s also DirectX Raytracing, which allows your computer to render realistic lighting. It’s also crucial for rendering reflections and shadows.

Frequently Asked Questions 

Conclusion 

Finding the right operating system for your specific use case is hopefully easier now that you know the differences and similarities between these two OS. But if you were confused between Windows 10 Home and Education, we hope everything is clear now.  

To summarize, Windows 10 Education is made for schools, colleges, and universities to help with assessments and sharing. And the Windows 10 Home version is best for personal use, such as gaming and working. Plus, it features Cortana to help you get through the day.  

Lastly, whichever OS you choose, make sure it fits your needs. I hope you now know the difference between Windows 10 Education vs Home. If you have any questions, remember to leave us a comment below.