Working in a data-driven organisation often calls for a sophisticated and comprehensive management system for sensitive information.
The Enterprise variant of Windows 10 comes as a subscription-based license service to cohesively bring together a package relevant to the current security and accessibility standards of both large and midsize companies.
Windows 10 Enterprise versions and Pricing
Enterprise offers two versions to choose from — E3 and E5. While there might seem no difference between the two at face value, the E5 comes laced with better security features, protecting users from phishing and zero-day malware.
Windows 10 Enterprise E5 also shows a propensity towards Data Analytics with data analysis and visualisation tools such as PowerBi and MyAnalytics.
Pricing on the services takes a jump from $7/month for an E3 license to $14/month for an E5 one.
The tables below cover and compare the defining features of the Enterprise versions against Windows 10 Pro and Home.
Also read: Can’t type in Windows 10 Search Bar fix
Windows 10 Enterprise vs Pro vs Home
Data Management and Deployment
Both the E3 and E5 versions of Windows 10 offers several data management and deployment features such as Mobile Device Management, Kiosk Mode, and App-V for Windows app virtualisation.
You also get features like the Group Policy editor and Windows Autopilot to make life easier. A list of all such features is given in the table below.
| Feature | Home | Pro | Enterprise E3 | Enterprise E5 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MDM (Mobile Device Management) | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Kiosk Mode | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
| UE-V (User Experience Virtualization) | ✓ | ✓ | ||
| App-V (Windows App Virtualisation) | ✓ | ✓ | ||
| MAM (Mobile Application Management) | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Hybrid AAD (Azure Active Directory) join | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Windows Autopilot | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Group Policy Editor | ✓ | ✓ | ||
| SMB Direct | ✓ | ✓ | ||
| Persistent Memory | ✓ | ✓ | ||
| Shared PC Mode | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Windows Store Management | ✓ | ✓ | ||
| Microsoft Store for Business | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
Also read: How to change the taskbar colour in Windows 10?
Authentication and Security
Authentication and security features also get an upgrade in the Enterprise versions. In fact, except for Windows Defender ATP, the E3 and E5 versions get the same features.
| Feature | Home | Pro | Enterprise E3 | Enterprise E5 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Device Control | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Automatic encryption on capable devices | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Application Control | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Microsoft Information Protection | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
| BitLocker and BitLocker Go | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Credential Protection | ✓ | ✓ | ||
| Endpoint detection and Response | ✓ | ✓ | ||
| Windows Hello For Business | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Group Policy Editor | ✓ | ✓ | ||
| Windows Defender ATP (Advanced Threat Protection) | ✓ |
Also read: How to disable anti-virus in Windows 10?
Data Analysis and Services
In terms of data analysis and services, both the E3 and the E5 are identical.
| Feature | Home | Pro | Enterprise E3 | Enterprise E5 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Windows 10 LTSC (Long Term Service Channel) | ✓ | ✓ | ||
| Desktop Analytics | ✓ | ✓ | ||
| Server Update Service | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Subscription based licensing | ✓ | ✓ |
Additional basic features
There are a few additional basic features too that are exclusive to the Enterprise versions of Windows 10.
| Feature | Home | Pro | Enterprise E3 | Enterprise E5 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Windows to GO | ✓ | ✓ | ||
| Branch Cache | ✓ | ✓ | ||
| MDOP (Microsoft Desktop Optimization Pack) | ✓ | ✓ |
Also read: How to check RAM frequency in Windows 10 and macOS?
Where does it lie in the consumer market?
Windows 10 Enterprise suits any company with a large employee and data pool encompassing multiple locations.
Features such as Mobile Device Management and Microsoft Desktop Optimisation pack ensure the smooth running of all the devices and immediate termination of any threat. IT organisations find this helpful as monitoring and enforcement of governing policies become much more streamlined.
Geographically spread-out companies can use the Branch Cache feature and copy the needed files from the main server. It does this by creating caches on a local server.
Direct Access is another feature that uses VPN to connect users to their home network through tunnelling. Advanced Threat Protection gives an overview of all the devices connected to the central server, coming in handy to update the security protocols at will. Data mining companies can strike gold using the Shared PC mode and App-V for greater management efficiency and security.
A shift to the Enterprise domain should come after careful observation and jotting down of the company’s needs and priorities. Generally, the PC environment of a particular organisation answers if a migration is necessary.
