What’s the difference between Windows 10 Home, Professional and S Mode?

Although Windows 11 is a worthy upgrade, Windows 10 still has its own style. Not only does it have many of the same features as Windows 11, but it also performs better in some applications. If you're planning to install Windows 10 on a new computer, you'll need to choose one of the many installation options.

So, should you choose Windows 10 Home, Professional or S Mode? In this Windows 10 guide, we'll break down the most popular editions and why one of them is best for you.

Windows 10 Home, Professional and S Mode features

Sifting through all the editions of Windows 10 to decide which one suits your needs can be a challenge. All three major editions are included in this list, and should give you the best choice for general computing or school.

What is Windows 10 Home Edition?

Let's start with Windows 10 Home Edition. This is the standard version of the operating system, and is a benchmark package designed for the average user who primarily accesses Windows from home.

Home Edition includes all the core features aimed at the broader consumer market, such as the Cortana voice assistant, Outlook, OneNote and Microsoft Edge, as well as support for voice commands, pen sketching, touch displays and Windows Hello sign-in. Windows 10 Home Edition also includes built-in device encryption, which is turned on by default, but don't confuse this with the more powerful BitLocker encryption service.

For gamers, Windows 10 Home Edition supports all Xbox apps, game streaming, Xbox controller support, Xbox Game Bar and more. While Windows 10 Home Edition doesn't come with the full Office suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, etc.), it does include a free 30-day trial of the Microsoft 365 subscription service, which new users are expected to subscribe to at the end of the trial.

It also gives you access to Microsoft's OneDrive cloud storage, which is automatically set up through your Microsoft account. The free version offers 5GB, while you can get additional storage with your Microsoft 365 subscription.

Overall, Windows 10 Home Edition is light on professional features, but it does include mobile device management, which could be useful for individuals or families who want to control the apps and security settings on their connected phones.

What is Windows 10 Professional?

Windows 10 Professional has almost all the features of Windows 10 Home Edition, plus additional security and management services. This edition is usually purchased in bulk by businesses or schools, but you can configure desktops and laptops to use it instead of Home Edition.

Although the Home and Professional editions have the same basic features, the Professional edition has some additional features that may be of interest to you, although not only to people who work with Windows. These include powerful and configurable BitLocker encryption and Windows Information Protection for advanced access control.

There are also more customisable packages for education and business. You can even access cool features like Windows Sandbox, which lets you run untrusted applications in a virtual environment.

Windows 10 Professional also includes access to commercial versions of Microsoft services, including the Windows App Store for businesses, Windows Update for businesses, Enterprise Mode browser options and more. These editions include additional features for bulk purchases and content upload. Virtualisation options include Remote Desktop Compatibility, Client Hyper-V, Shared PC Configuration, Azure Active Directory and more.

In summary, the additional features in Windows 10 Professional are valuable for IT administrators, but not so much for the average user. It is important to note that Microsoft 365 combines elements of Office 365, Windows 10, and mobility and security features. It is a complete repackaging of Windows services, with packages such as the E5, E3 and F1 plans including Windows 10 Enterprise Edition at no extra cost.

What is Windows 10 S mode?

Windows 10 in S Mode is a special version of Windows 10 designed to provide enhanced security and performance. In S mode, users can only install applications from the Microsoft Store that have been tested and certified by Microsoft to be more secure.

In addition, Windows 10 in S mode runs faster and takes less time to boot because it restricts some background processes and applications from running. However, users may be limited in their choice of apps in S mode, as they can only install apps from the Microsoft Store. If users need to install applications from other sources, they can do so by switching to normal mode.

Windows 10 Home, Professional and S Mode combined reviews

Windows 10 Home, Professional and S Mode are all different editions of Windows 10, each with different features and scenarios.

Windows 10 Home Edition is the edition for home users and offers basic Windows 10 features such as apps like the browser, mail, calendar and photos, as well as features like the Microsoft Edge browser, Cortana voice assistant and more. It also supports features like Windows Hello sign-in and Windows Ink notes. Overall, Windows 10 Home Edition is suitable for home users and offers basic features and performance.

Windows 10 Professional is the version for business users and offers more features and managed services than Home Edition, such as BitLocker encryption, Windows Information Protection, remote desktop, Hyper-V virtualisation and other features. It also supports features such as the Enterprise App Store, Windows Update and Enterprise Mode Browser. Overall, Windows 10 Professional is more suitable for business users and offers more security and management features.

Windows 10 in S mode is a special version of Windows 10 that offers more security and performance. In S mode, users can only install applications from the Microsoft Store that have been vetted and certified by Microsoft, making them more secure. Windows 10 in S mode also runs faster and takes less time to boot. However, users may be limited in their choice of apps in S mode, as they can only install apps from the Microsoft Store.

In summary, Windows 10 Home, Professional and S modes all have their own advantages, disadvantages and scenarios. Home users can opt for Windows 10 Home, business users can opt for Windows 10 Professional and those who need more security and performance can opt for Windows 10 in S mode.