Windows 10 editions for education customers (2024)

Windows 10, version 1607, all editions More...Less

Summary

Windows 10 Anniversary Update (Windows 10, version 1607) continues our commitment to productivity, security, and privacy for all customers. Windows 10 Pro and Windows 10 Enterprise offer the functionality and safety features demanded by business and education customers around the globe. Windows 10 is the most secure Windows weve ever built. All of our Windows commercial editions can be configured to support the needs of schools, through group policies, domain join, and more. To learn more about Microsofts commitment to security and privacy in Windows 10, see more on both security and privacy.

Windows 10, version 1607 offers a variety of new features and functionality, such as simplified provisioning with the Set up School PCs app or Windows Imaging and Configuration Designer (ICD), easier delivery of digital assessments with Take a Test, and faster log in performance for shared devices than ever before. These features work with all Windows for desktop editions, excluding Windows 10 Home. You can find more information about Windows 10, version 1607 on windows.com.

Windows 10, version 1607 introduces two editions designed for the unique needs of K-12 institutions: Windows 10 Pro Education and Windows 10 Education. These editions provide education-specific default settings for the evolving landscape in K-12 education IT environments.

Windows 10 Pro Education

Windows 10 Pro Education builds on the commercial version of Windows 10 Pro and provides important management controls needed in schools. Windows 10 Pro Education is effectively a variant of Windows Pro that provides education-specific default settings, including the removal of Cortana*. These default settings disable tips, tricks and suggestions & Microsoft Store suggestions. More detailed information on these default settings is available in Manage Windows 10 and Microsoft Store tips, tricks, and suggestions.

Windows 10 Pro Education is available on new devices pre-installed with Windows 10, version 1607 that are purchased with discounted K-12 academic licenses through OEM partners (these discounted licenses are sometimes referred to as National Academic or Shape the Future).

Existing devices running Windows 10 Pro, currently activated with the original OEM digital product key and purchased with discounted K-12 academic licenses through OEM partners (these discounted licenses are sometimes referred to as National Academic or Shape the Future), will upgrade automatically to Windows 10 Pro Education as part of the Windows 10, version 1607 installation.

Customers with Academic Volume Licensing agreements with rights for Windows can get Windows 10 Pro Education through the Volume Licensing Service Center, available at a later date.

Customers that deploy Windows 10 Pro are able to configure the product to have similar feature settings to Windows 10 Pro Education using policies. More detailed information on these policies and the configuration steps required is available in Manage Windows 10 and Microsoft Store tips, tricks, and suggestions. We recommend that K-12 customers using commercial Windows 10 Pro read the document and apply desired settings for your environment.

Windows 10 Education

Windows 10 Education builds on Windows 10 Enterprise and provides the enterprise-grade manageability and security desired by many schools. Windows 10 Education is effectively a variant of Windows 10 Enterprise that provides education-specific default settings, including the removal of Cortana*. These default settings disable tips, tricks and suggestions & Microsoft Store suggestions. More detailed information on these default settings is available in Manage Windows 10 and Microsoft Store tips, tricks, and suggestions.

Windows 10 Education is available through Microsoft Volume Licensing. Customers who are already running Windows 10 Education can upgrade to Windows 10, version 1607 through Windows Update or from the Volume Licensing Service Center. We recommend Windows 10 Education to all K-12 customers as it provides the most complete and secure edition for education environments. If you do not have access to Windows 10 Education, contact your Microsoft representative or see more information here.

Customers that deploy Windows 10 Enterprise are able to configure the product to have similar UI feature settings to Windows 10 Education using policies. More detailed information on these policies and the configuration steps required is available in Manage Windows 10 and Microsoft Store tips, tricks, and suggestions. We recommend that K-12 customers using commercial Windows 10 Enterprise read the document and apply desired settings for your environment.

For any other questions, contact Microsoft Customer Service and Support.

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* - Cortana available in select markets; experience may vary by region and device. Cortana is disabled in the Pro Education and Education editions.

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Windows 10 editions for education customers (2024)

FAQs

Windows 10 editions for education customers? ›

Windows 10 Education builds on Windows 10 Enterprise and provides the enterprise-grade manageability and security desired by many schools. Windows 10 Education is effectively a variant of Windows 10 Enterprise that provides education-specific default settings, including the removal of Cortana*.

Is Windows 10 Education still supported? ›

Windows 10 will reach end of support (EOS) on October 14, 2025, less than two years from today. While two years may seem like a lot of time, upgrading your school's devices now will help your organization stay focused on learning outcomes and protect educational data without interruption.

What is the difference between Windows 10 Pro Education and Windows 10 Pro Education N? ›

Windows 10 Education N includes the same functionality as Windows 10 Education, except that it does not include certain media related technologies (Windows Media Player, Camera, Music, TV & Movies) and does not include the Skype app.

Is Windows 10 Education free forever? ›

Will my copy of Windows 10 Education expire? No. Windows 10 Education is not a temporary subscription or trial software. Your software will not expire.

What are the editions of Windows 11 for education customers? ›

There are 3 editions of Windows for Education—Windows 11 SE, Windows 11 Pro Education, and Windows 11 Education.

How long will Windows 10 Education be supported? ›

support for Win10 Enterprise & Education 22H2 ends in 2027, all other versions 2025. extended support will be available to purchase for Enterprise & Education through 2027 (all other versions end in 2025 as originally planned) Oct 14th, 2025 is still the final end of support date for all versions of Windows 10.

Which is better, Windows 10 Home or education? ›

Replies (2) 

The mentioned features are not available in Windows 10 Home and are more suited to businesses. To simplify things, Education is more advantageous, since you can do things like manage Windows Updates easier.

Does Windows 10 Education include office? ›

Microsoft 365 provides a complete system, including Office 365, Windows 10, and Enterprise Mobility and Security. The following table lists the Office 365 for Education A1, A3, and A5 features along with the corresponding Microsoft 365 for Education A3 and A5 features.

Does Windows 10 Pro Education come with office? ›

No, Windows 10 does not include Microsoft Office. Microsoft Office needs to be purchased separately.

What features does Windows 10 Education have? ›

Windows 10 Education has several features designed to meet the needs of educational institutions, including advanced security features, such as Windows Defender System Guard, which helps protect against malware and exploits; Windows Information Protection, which helps protect against data leakage; and Windows Hello for ...

Does Windows 10 Education require a product key? ›

**Enter Product Key**: If your Windows 10 Pro Education is not activated, you'll need a product key. Check if you have a product key sticker on your computer or in the documentation that came with it. Enter the product key by going to "Settings" > "Update & Security" > "Activation" > "Change product key." 3.

What will happen to Windows 10 after 2025? ›

Original Story 12/3/23: Microsoft will officially end support for Windows 10 on Oct. 14, 2025. But if you desperately need to keep using that older operating system rather than upgrading to Windows 11, you can pay to extend the expiration date, Microsoft announced today.

Does Windows 10 Education have no Cortana? ›

You can also search "Cortana settings" in the search box on the taskbar, and select Cortana & Search settings from the results. Note: Cortana is removed from the Windows 10 Education and Windows 10 Pro Education editions. See Windows 10 editions for education customers for more info.

Do teachers get Windows 11 for free? ›

Microsoft Student or Teacher Discount: Free to $19

Meanwhile, teachers may be able to get Windows 11 Education for $19.99. You can see if your school is eligible and download your free Windows 11 key here.

What is Windows 10 Education Edition comparison? ›

Windows 10 Pro Education is effectively a variant of Windows Pro that provides education-specific default settings, including the removal of Cortana*. These default settings disable tips, tricks and suggestions & Microsoft Store suggestions.

Do college students get Windows 11 for free? ›

No Cost for Students

Your school may offer Windows 11 Education at no cost. Search for your school to see if you're eligible.

Is Windows education forever? ›

If you are downloading Windows 10 Education from Microsoft Imagine, it is actually full version that does not expire.

Can you transfer Windows 10 Education to another computer? ›

If the Windows 10 Pro came pre-installed on your device then it's an OEM which is not transferable. 2. Windows 10 Education is a full volume license. As long as you have the product key, you can remove it from the current computer, then install it on the new computer.

Can I keep using Windows 10 after 2025? ›

Microsoft is ending support for Windows 10 on October 14th, 2025, and you'll need to pay yearly if you want to continue using the operating system securely. Microsoft will offer Extended Security Updates (ESU) for Windows 10 users, with pricing starting at $61 for the first year.

Will Windows 11 education expire? ›

Windows 11 Education for Students and Faculty. Get Windows 11 Education today at little to no cost through your school's online store and it's yours forever.

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