Question 10 Education vs. 10 Pro - more future proof?

[Titanion]

I have a computer with Windows 10 Education installed on it (no key, but I thought I would get one at the time).

Is it going to be better in the long run to get Windows 10 Pro on there? I am not planning on upgrading that system to Windows 11.

Thanks.

 

[DSzymborski]

Differences between Windows 10 Pro and Home.

There's no difference in longevity; they're basically the same OS. If you need the additional features, install Windows 10 Pro. If not, get Windows 10 Home.

Windows 10 Education is a special discounted version for K-12 educators and if you're not an educator or a student authorized to get one through the school otherwise, you're not authorized to have a license (so I cannot provide any assistance with that).

 

[punkncat]

So far as I am aware, the Education version is also going to require a valid .edu email/login.

 

[ohio_buckeye]

If the system is capable of running 11 I’d upgrade it. I’ve been using it for a while and it’s really a decent little os so no reason not to upgrade. If the placement of the start button is a thing for you I think you can adjust it under taskbar settings.

 

[Titanion]

Are you saying that when the support for Windows 10 ends, a valid .edu email/login will be required to log into a Windows 10 Education OS?


This is a personal home computer, even though I worked on it at home extensively during COVID-19 school closures. But I do not want it associated with my work microft edu account.

 

[DSzymborski]

Are you saying that when the support for Windows 10 ends, a valid .edu email/login will be required to log into a Windows 10 Education OS?


This is a personal home computer, even though I worked on it at home extensively during COVID-19 school closures. But I do not want it associated with my work microft edu account.

No, I'm saying that I can't give any advice about using Windows 10 Education here, period.

 

[punkncat]

No, I'm saying that I can't give any advice about using Windows 10 Education here, period.

In this, it is my understanding of the version I am familiar with that within some time frame (that I am not privy to) the benefits of the free or discounted versions of OS and Office tools will basically time out without a code that would come to that email.

 

[USAFRet]

(no key, but I thought I would get one at the time)

The problem is that you must have a .edu email address to purchase a valid license for an EDU install.

This is for both Windows and Office.

 

[Math Geek]

i am using a win 10 edu install right now on one of my pc's

i got it from MS as part of the IT program i was involved in at the time. yes it takes the edu email to access the program (basically a new thing like the old technet except just for students). but once i got it, i was given a key to activate it with no limitations.

in fact it took me a couple years before i even bothered to activate it and well after i was out of the program. i ran it unactivated so i could use it for vm's and other stuff.

using the key and updating and such has not asked for any type of edu email or anything else like that ever. in fact i installed it with a local account and don't even have it logged into any MS account of any kind.

but given that there is no real benefit to edu edition vs normal pro version, there is no reason to jump through any hoops (most of which is probably not even legal) to run edu edition. go with pro edition and know it'll do everything you need and likely a lot more than you'll ever use. the average home user has no need for anything but home edition anyway. the only real world use i can see for pro edition for the home user is group policy options you don't have in home edition. the rest is mainly domain related stuff.

 

[Titanion]

My real question is using this W10 Edu OS (with no key) really any different than W10 Pro (with no key) in terms of Microsoft dropping support for W10. Will the support for W10 be basically the same? Or is W10 Edu being ended in a different manner?

I have not created a Microsoft account with this computer, but I have a licensed version MS Office 360 installed and access my Outlook .edu email from it. A few years ago I reached out to our tech department in our district to see if I could get a key for home and personal use, and they said there was nothing like that set up.

 

[Math Geek]

nope, no extra time for edu version over pro version.

when they retire it, they retire it. no reason to study edu version in class when win 11 is out and that's what they will want you to study.

 

[Titanion]

I was worried about the opposite, that support, maybe security updates, would be dropped sooner with the W10 Edu version.

The I was worried that when support ended, I would be forced to create a Microsoft account or use an .edu email to log into Windows.

But if Both W10 Pro and W10 Edu will die the same slow death and I can still log in and use those computers the same way I do now, I'm OK for the short and maybe even long term. They are two computers based off 4th gen Intel CPUs. They will end up being extra computers in a home gaming lab for friends anyway.

Thanks