What does Windows 10 s edition mean? What is an OEM license

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As part of the Microsoft EDU conference, the company announced a lightweight version of Windows 10 - Windows 10 S. This special version operating system designed for the educational segment.

What kind of Windows 10 S is this?

This is a “stripped down” version of regular Windows, which has a number of limitations. It runs all desktop applications, including full-fledged Office package. But there is one condition - the programs must be installed from the Windows Store; others are not supported.

Compared to a conventional operating system, Windows 10 S boots almost twice as fast - in 15 seconds. There is also a free Office 365 subscription for students and teachers.

This is understandable; laptops running this OS are intended for the educational sector. Windows 10 S is already being offered for installation on old computers in schools.

What are the differences from regular Windows?

First, install applications from the Windows Store. Others simply won't make money due to restrictions. There is a possibility quick transfer system settings from one computer to another using a USB drive.

Thanks to the latter, the teacher will be able to pre-configure the OS, limiting the work unnecessary functions and applications, and copy the Settings to the students’ PCs.

First Microsoft time Edge will be popular, the company has every chance of this. It will be some time before third-party developers add their equivalents to the app store.

Besides, search engine On computers running Windows 10 S, this cannot be changed. The default will be Bing search, nothing else is given. However, there is always the option to pay extra and install Windows 10 Pro.

Interestingly, you can upgrade to a normal operating system for free until the end of the year.

Strictly speaking, these are all the differences between the lightweight OS from Microsoft and the regular one. Now large companies like Samsung, ASUS, Acer, Dell, HP, Fujitsu and Toshiba are already working on laptops that support this operating system.

It is stated that their cost will start at $189, the first models will go on sale this summer.

Very soon the computers of the vast majority of users around the world will crash. free gift from Microsoft. Yes, many have not yet gotten rid of the legacy of the “2000s” in the form of Windows XP and are successfully using the latter, while since that time the company founded by Bill Gates has already released 3 operating systems, and this is not counting server and other specialized products. And now, when the “next” system from the pen of developers will be released very soon, it’s time to talk about what Windows 10 is, why exactly “ten” and how it differs from what we saw before.

One system for everyone

Modern realities require that every person be mobile and tied to their workplace minimal amount wires That is why high-performance smartphones, all kinds of wearable electronics, as well as tablet computers with a large screen diagonal and hardware not inferior to top-end computers.

Another emerging trend in the market requires the creation of an ecosystem and universality of everything: applications, user interface, there must be one account for all services. Internet speeds allow data exchange between different computers with minimal delay, and those who ignore the capabilities of the global network remain behind the market.

Taking these factors into account, Microsoft is trying to create a system that:

Works great on devices with touch control. Since the technology with which users spend most of their time is mobile, and almost half of Internet traffic now comes from tablets and smartphones, it is very important that the OS supports small display sizes and is able to adapt to them.
Works great on other devices without changing the appearance and maintaining the same User Experience. According to Microsoft, the new Windows 10 will work both on computers in the classical sense and on single-board devices that can be found in payment terminals and other narrowly targeted things.

It is all this, as well as the company’s desire to create a unified ecosystem of services and different types devices, due to emergence of Windows 10. The company tries to keep up with the times, while still remaining innovative and setting the vector of development for the entire IT industry.

Important! Speaking about a “uniform OS for all devices”, we need to understand that we will not see a classic desktop on a small smartphone display, and we will not be able to edit Word documents by connecting the single board computer to the screen. Each type of device will have its own edition of Windows 10, but this will be discussed a little later.

Advantages

Perhaps, after reading the previous part of the article, it became not entirely clear why the identity of the system for all gadgets in the home and at work would be so useful to the user. To clarify the situation a little, we can use the word “versatility.” What is Windows 10 for the user, if we talk from the point of view of “universality”?

There are several key points to highlight here. All your devices are connected to each other not only by connecting to the Internet, but also by a single account to which all purchases, subscriptions and settings are linked. There are many examples that can be given here, for example:

buy a game on your smartphone and run it on your computer without purchasing it again;
display the image from the Xbox on the laptop screen;
continue editing the document on the tablet after you get up from your desk with a desktop PC;
connect your smartphone to a large screen and work with files using a mouse and keyboard;
Access notes, calendar events, and rest assured that your devices are working in sync and smoothly.

This list can be endless. Add to this the voice assistant Cortana, access to your favorite sites without re-authorization and automatic synchronization files via OneDrive, and we will get not “Windows as a set of programs for running a computer,” but “Windows as a service,” which works the same way, no matter what gadget a person interacts with.

For developers

In turn, developers also receive a number of benefits thanks to this approach. First, 90 percent of the code that is written during application development will work on all Windows devices. You just need to add adaptation for different screen extensions, and, if necessary, debug the process of interaction of the application with sensors or devices inside the phone or computer. All this significantly reduces both development time and porting costs, which are now not required at all.

The target audience of users of a program or game published in the store also increases significantly. Since the Store itself is also consistent across all platforms, all users personal computers on Windows 10, even without having a smartphone or tablet, are already potential buyers, and they are significantly more than the combined number of people using Android and iOS smartphones.

Update

When talking about what Windows 10 is, upgrading older systems to it is one of the most pressing topics. Everyone is interested in how much it will cost to switch to a new OS, whether it will be necessary to perform a “clean” installation, and what system requirements are imposed on the platform.

Microsoft stated that the transition to new Windows will be free for absolutely all users. This promotion will last for the first year after the launch of the system, and this measure was taken in order to form a user base working with one system as quickly as possible. In turn, the period of support for previous editions will be significantly reduced.

The company is already offering to “reserve” the update so that exactly on the day of the official launch of the system the computer will install current version OS and met the user in all its splendor. To make a reservation, you just need to wait for the window to appear (as in the screenshot below) and enter your email address into it. This form will appear automatically for each user, and no additional actions will be required.

However, you can make the transition to the top ten at any time even after the release date, which, by the way, is set for July 29. The update will be available on the site Windows Update and can be installed in the same way as all other updates that came earlier.

OS editions available to users have recently been announced, including:

Home, designed for computers, laptops and tablets for home use.
Mobile, adapted for smartphones and small tablets, with a screen diagonal of less than 8 inches.
Pro, which is suitable for installation on computers of a small organization.
Education, specially prepared for educational institutions.
Enterprise, which is similar to Pro, but only for larger organizations.

This list does not mention the editions for single-board computers from the Internet of Things and several other specialized versions that we will not see on the market or in the public domain.

Afterword

We can talk about what Windows 10 is and what it will be like for a very long time. However, it is best to wait for the official release of the final build and install it on your computer, given that it is free. By the way, you shouldn’t be afraid to install the newly released system - it will already be freed from all its “childhood” diseases, since it is currently being tested on more than four million computers.

This is achieved through the Windows Insider program, which anyone can participate in for free. By joining the ranks, you will be able to receive the latest OS builds on your computer immediately after Microsoft employees.

Regardless of whether you wait official release, or try the preview build right now, rest assured that Windows 10 will truly usher in a new era in the IT world. With its appearance, 10ka will again set a new direction both in interface design and in the technological component, and it is for it that applications, games, and services will be developed primarily.

Windows 10 will be the last numbering system, and in the future there will be no such major updates, according to at least, in foreseeable future. Instead, new functions will simply be added, old ones will be improved, and all this will be delivered to users’ computers using the standard method, through Windows Update. We are following the development of events and counting the days, because we don’t have long to wait.

Launch of a new operating room Windows systems 10, developed by Microsoft, became the most significant event of the year in the IT industry.

The platform is the first of its kind, currently being created in collaboration with users. The reason for this was previous version Windows 8 (8.1). The developers declared it revolutionary and innovative, but instead of the expected results, it received a lot of negative feedback from consumers.

Therefore, this time the company's management acted more prudently: they released a trial software - Technical Preview so that it can be refined and improved during use. Even at the half-ready stage of the platform, we can talk about a significant breakthrough in the field of software. Let's take a short review of Windows 10 and look at the advantages in more detail.

First of all, we want to tell you about general outline new operating system and its differences from the previous ones: XP, Vista, “seven” and “eight”:

The Start menu in all versions of Windows 10 has been slightly changed, in particular, the list of programs returned as in the seven, but it is combined with a “tiled” application, which many users of version 8.1 loved. Moreover, the tiles can be kept either in a reduced version or expanded to full screen. Overall, the interface has become flatter and simplified, providing improved performance and ease of perception for users. And it received a number of additional and useful functions, for example, it has now become interactive and can signal the arrival of mail or can tell about the weather forecast and exchange rates.
The new Microsoft Edge browser has replaced the familiar and unloved Internet Explorer. Let's see if it can win the hearts of users.
Voice Cortana assistant– will help you find any information on your computer or on the Internet, plan your own affairs, remind you of important events, and be able to chat on different topics etc. In general, this is something like an electronic secretary and a friend in person.
Virtual desktops – Now in all versions of Windows 10 you can easily create multiple desktops, each of which can have its own running applications and programs.
The new “Notification Center” – it contains all the information about the operation of your computer and any problems that arise. New messages from instant messengers are also displayed there. like Skype or Viber, reminders, etc.
Continuum feature allows you to easily switch between desktop and tablet modes if your device supports touch input and management.

And etc.

In fact, there are a lot of innovations and even just listing them is quite difficult. Of course, many of them are unlikely to be useful to you, so we tried to mention the main ones.

Now let's talk in a little more detail about each edition of Windows 10 separately.

Windows 10 IoT

Windows 10 IoT is the heir Windows Embedded, making the most of the experience that was gained during the operation of this operating system in various industries and scenarios.

This product is intended for specialized devices that require additional customization for a specific use case.

The maximum coverage of supported platforms provides a lot of advantages to developers - the versatility of applications allows us to guarantee that with a fairly high probability an application written and debugged on a PC will work on an IoT device, regardless of its processor architecture (ARM or x86). Characteristic feature The new operating system is also that it integrates support for the AllJoyn project, which allows you to develop applications, abstracting from the underlying protocol and using a software layer.
The Windows 10 IoT edition line is divided into three:

IoT Enterprise(with the functionality of Windows 10 Enterprise, but with a difference in licensing);

Mobile Enterprise(ARM, with support for Universal Apps, optimized for mobile devices and with support for various security features);

IoT Core(version optimized for devices with limited resources, with support for Universal Apps, but in Single App mode).

Let's start with Windows 10 IoT Core, which is a free, non-commercial use version (business use information coming soon) that can be installed on supported devices. IoT Core is an excellent option for prototyping and developing solutions for internal or personal use. IoT Core is a version optimized for devices that have enough limited resources. The minimum system requirements for Core are 256 megabytes of RAM and 2 gigabytes of storage plus x86/ARM architecture.

IoT Core Supports universal application development, does not include Windows Desktop Shell and applications such as Mail and Photos.

Today, Windows 10 IoT can be installed on three boards - Raspberry Pi 2, Intel Minnowboard MAX and Qualcomm Dragonboard 410c. Each of these boards is designed for a different task, and, for example, a person looking to automate a simple task at home might prefer the Raspberry Pi 2. In an industry that is closer to Windows Embedded, the Minnowboard and Dragonboard will be of interest.

IoT Enterprise

The next edition, IoT Enterprise, is available only from Windows Embedded distributors, and is essentially a continuation of Windows Embedded Industry. This edition in its original form is Windows 10 Enterprise, and only after activation using a special license purchased from a distributor, it acquires specialized functions - device blocking, USB filters for connecting only authorized USB devices, blocking pop-up notifications and interface controls, management applications, Device Guard and many others. Typical application scenarios could be various types of industrial devices (ATMs, POS devices, other specialized devices). Minimum system requirements – 1 gigabyte of RAM, 16 gigabytes of storage plus x86/x64 architecture. Since this edition is based on Windows 10 Enterprise, it supports both classic and universal Windows applications.

One of important aspects, which are new to Windows, is unique to the Enterprise edition, including IoT, a variant of the Long Term Servicing Branch (LTSB) distribution. This is a separate distribution that is relevant for systems that have strict update rules - these can be systems used in hospitals, financial systems and many others that require constant operation over a long time. When using the Long Term Servicing Branch, system administrators have full control over updates, and within this distribution there are some functions missing, for example, the Microsoft Edge browser, and there is also the ability not to apply updates for 10 years, so as not to disrupt the current operation of devices.

Windows 10 IoT Enterprise can be purchased in three versions:

Windows 10 IoT Enterprise LTSB – the most complete license without restrictions (except for the ban on use on regular PCs). Typical applications are industrial devices, medicine, ATMs.

Windows 10 IoT Enterprise LTSB for Retail or ThinClients is, compared to IoT Enterprise, more economical and is designed to work on POS terminals, devices with electronic signature, thin clients, kiosks, etc.

Windows 10 IoT Enterprise Tablet and Windows 10 IoT Enterprise Small Tablet – these editions are limited for use on tablets (Small Tablet – 7″ to 9″, Tablet – 9.1″ to 10.1″) with CPU restrictions.

IoT Mobile Enterprise

The latest version, Windows 10 IoT Mobile Enterprise, will be available later - it is intended for systems on mobile devices. industrial devices– mobile POS terminals, tablets, etc.

Home

Fully standard version Windows 10. This is what is planned to be installed on the majority of devices sold: laptops, ultrabooks, personal computers, transformers.

If we compare this edition of Windows 10 with others, it will only have basic set features: Cortana assistant, new Edge browser, Windows Hello function - it allows you to log in using a photo of the user’s face, fingerprint, as well as some other applications from Microsoft (photos, maps, mail, calendar, music and video).

Of course, there are differences between the main assemblies, although not everyone can see them; it is for this reason that the most simplified version of Windows 10 Home has been released, ideal for novice users whose computer is used mainly for the Internet and other entertainment.

The only serious drawback of the Home version is the inability to choose update methods, in particular, all necessary users will be received through the Current Branch, in the already familiar Windows host Update. As in other versions, Home 10 OS integrates a number of major innovations, including:

Windows Hello, a system that provides complete safety when logging in (prevents unauthorized access to your data).
Hiberboot and InstaGo. Both new products are designed to speed up the process of loading the OS and waking it up from sleep mode, which adds comfort to using the PC and also saves time for business people, for whom every minute counts.
New high-speed browser for Internet surfing Microsoft Edge.
Ability to work with multiple virtual desktops.
The Continuum feature allows you to use any mobile device, running on Windows 10 as a full-fledged PC, will make it possible to connect a keyboard, mouse, big screen etc.

Professional (Pro)

Unlike the Home version, the professional edition has much more options in choosing which updates to install and in working on different networks. Although Windows 10 Pro is slightly different from the Enterprise edition, it is also quite suitable for small and medium-sized businesses.

As for updates, then Pro version will support not only the already well-known Current Branch, but also others, for example, Current Branch for Business (CBB), in which the emphasis will be on updating programs and security systems designed for business projects. In addition, another branch with long-term service is provided: Long Term Servicing Branch (LTSB). As part of updates using the CBB or LTSB system, the user will be able to independently choose not only the type and order of updates from Windows Update, but also set a convenient time for updates, as well as refuse them indefinitely.

As for the appearance of the ten, it has partially undergone changes. First of all, the shell developers completely abandoned the Aero style ( transparent panels). For ease of use, the Aero Snap function has been added to the system, allowing you to view open windows and tasks in multi-window mode. MacOs and Android already boast approximately the same function.

A powerful tool implemented in version 10 was the virtual assistant Cortana, although it should be noted right away that it is not available for all regions, the reason for this was the lack of all the necessary language packs.

Corporate (Enterprise)

It is a business system capable of managing computers used by large companies and corporations.

It supports a number of more complex functions such as Direct Access (the ability to gain remote access to corporate network without use VPN technologies, AppLocker or BranchCache application management (a mechanism that improves the download and update process). Even more advanced mechanisms are supported in this edition to improve the security of the computer and the Credential Guard and Device Guard applications running on it.

As for Windows 10 Enterprise, in addition to the functions of Windows 10 Pro, on which it is, in fact, built, it implements compliance with the more stringent requirements of medium and large enterprises in terms of security and administration. In particular, updates are received in it separately through Windows service Update for Business, and it is planned to distribute it according to the conditions license agreement Volume Licensing.

Windows 10 LTSB

Windows 10 LTSB– this is a stripped-down version of the edition Windows 10 Enterprise (Corporate). It does not have any modern features, in particular Microsoft browser Edge, applications from the Windows Store, as well as the store itself.

But this is a full-fledged operating system in terms of desktop functionality. It contains the Start menu, Explorer, Control Panel, Windows Media Player, Internet Explorer, PowerShell, Windows Defender antivirus, embedded OneDrive desktop client, notepad, classic calculator, as well as other standard and utility tools that have accompanied the predecessor versions of the operating system from Microsoft for many years. By default, the Windows 10 LTSB Start menu does not provide a single pinned tile, but the ability to pin tiles of favorite programs to the menu in the system is present. This edition lacks the Cortana voice assistant, and the search button on the taskbar launches a regular in-system search. As in other editions, the configuration functionality of Windows 10 LTSB is scattered throughout both the Control Panel and the Settings application. In general, the long-term maintenance edition is stripped down to be as similar as possible to Windows 7.

Branch name – Long Term Servicing Branch (with long term service)– reflects the principle of delivery of its updates: LTSB installs only security updates and fixes that have been tested in stable builds of the Tens. Updates that introduce new functionality into the system are not delivered. The current Windows 10 Enterprise 2016 LTSB provides the same update settings as stable editions, in particular, the ability to postpone updates and deliver them through channels local network. There are also inherent Anniversary Update functions - changing the activity period and restart parameters.

Windows 10 LTSB allows you to disable spy functions of the operating system - telemetry and user data collection.

The Explorer launch shortcut in Windows 10 LTSB is not placed on the taskbar or desktop by default, as in stable editions. Let us remind you that the hot keys for calling Explorer are Win+E. From the hotkeyed Explorer icon on the taskbar, you can then call context menu to secure it.

The Windows 10 LTSB edition is designed primarily for the corporate sector - for use in the life of organizations, in particular, medical institutions, financial institutions, manufacturing and trading enterprises, for which stability and software compatibility are important, and not functional new goodies. But this edition can be used by both organizations and individuals. For example, freelance professionals who use Windows 10-based devices for work purposes, or ordinary users who do not agree with Microsoft’s new concept and believe that Windows 7 should maintain its “top of evolution” status for many years to come.

When testing on a virtual Windows machine 10 LTSB behaved more quickly than the full-fledged editorial staff of the Ten. It was possible to work comfortably with the virtual machine even after reducing the RAM to 1024 MB. This means that this edition may have another audience segment – users of low-power computer devices.

Windows 10 Enterprise LTSB, like the full-fledged Enterprise, is initially supplied free of charge by Microsoft for evaluation purposes. To install the operating system, you do not need a key; the key is already “sewn” into the installation process. Once installed, LTSB is automatically activated for the next 90 days. But after these 90 days, the operating system will insist on being activated. If necessary, it can be activated in the standard way - using a purchased license key.

For educational institutions (Education)

As the name suggests, this is a system designed for students, universities and educational institutions in general. Windows 10 Education offers many of the same features that were built into Windows 10. However, Windows 10 Education, unlike Enterprise, does not support the Long Term Servicing Branch option, for example.

It can be used by both teachers and students, who will be able to receive it under the Academic Volume Licensing program.

Comparison of Windows versions

Performance and user experience

Familiar and comfortable work environment

Management and Deployment

Improved management components for deploying and managing devices and applications

Safety

Advanced security features, system and application updates, and compatibility to protect devices and infrastructure from advanced threats

Key features of Windows

Key Windows Features

Bottom line

In general, we can say with confidence that Windows 10 in any type of release, starting with the most simple Home and ending with the Enterprise version, is an excellent OS that will allow users to install one shell on any digital device, be it a phone, tablet or personal PC.

In addition, the update system and Cortana assistant, running in licensed versions of Windows 10 home and Windows 10 Pro, will provide a safe, fast and reliable working environment.

Each version of Windows exists in several editions (releases). The older versions produced in the 90s had significantly fewer of them. The evolution of the operating system, Microsoft's adaptation to modern market sales, as well as other circumstances, led to the emergence of new varieties of Windows. Latest version 10 is the leader in their number. There are a huge variety of its distributions - both functional editions and assemblies that record one or another state of the system. Let's try to understand them below.

Before starting a review of Tens distribution kits specifically, I suggest first looking at the original structure of the Windows varieties. This way we will understand the enormity of the scope of Microsoft’s main product.

Windows families

The main criterion for dividing Windows is families. The main families are:

Windows NT is a line of desktop systems (for PCs, laptops and tablets) and a line of server systems, starting with Windows NT 3.1 and ending with Windows 10 (and, accordingly, its server analogue Windows Server 2016). Desktop NTs are the ones that are used everywhere;
Windows Embedded – a type of system for terminals, ATMs, other machines and various equipment;
Windows 10 IoT is an operating system for production devices that has replaced Embedded, but with a large list of support for them. Among such devices are Smart Home automation systems;
Windows Mobile, also known as Windows Phone in an earlier release, is a platform for mobile devices.

Each family can have its own lines (as is the case with NT), its own versions, its own editions, its own sub-editions, etc. The “Ten” has even more divisions. If we download its installation ISO image not using the official utility from, but, for example, using the program, we will see a lot of possible distributions in the selection list.

In the case of “Ten,” we have not only a stable branch of the operating system, but also a branch within the framework of the project - a program for testing operating system innovations. Plus, since Microsoft has stated that at least in the near future there will be no new versions of the system, and the company is going to work on improving “Ten” in parallel with its use by the masses, as a result of this work, today we have a lot of builds and versions of version 10 itself We will return to all these varieties later, but for now let’s look at what editions of the system exist.

Windows 10 editions

Editions are the fourth generation of the Windows NT division. There are two lines in the family, the lines have their own versions, and each version has its own editions. Editions are provided primarily for the convenience of Microsoft itself, so it is more profitable for it to sell licensed copies of the operating system. The basis of trading is the Pro edition, from which it already dances in one direction or another. By cutting some functionality, the company reduces the license fee for using the operating system, thus making it affordable to a larger number of people. And, offering additional features in editions for certain market segments, the company manages to sell the same thing, but according to the principle “For the poor, the price is a ruble, for the rich, two.”

In terms of cutting opportunities, by the way, the company must be given its due. Unlike processor manufacturers who push models for low-end laptops onto the market, knowing that such processors are unsuitable for use in modern conditions, Microsoft knows its limits and doesn’t go too far. The basic Home edition of any version of Windows is capable of fully satisfying the needs of the average person.

So what are there? Windows edition 10?

Home (Home) - a basic set of “Ten” features with reduced features of the Pro edition, such as: group policy, BitLocker, Hyper-V, remote connection tools, connection to Azure AD, etc. Home is also limited in its ability to defer system updates for a certain period of time, as can be done in the editions above. This a budget option legal use of the system, but not the cheapest.

Home Single Language

The Home derivative Home Single Language is limited using Windows only within one system language. She has the cheapest license key.

Pro (Professional) – edition with an optimal selection of functionality for advanced users.

Pro for Workstations(Professional for workstations) – advanced sub-edition for powerful computers, in particular for server equipment. It appeared quite recently, along with the autumn major update. Its key feature is improved reliability of data storage, in particular, work with file system.

Enterprise

Enterprise (Corporate) – edition for organizations, which provides enhanced security technologies and functionality intended for professional systems engineers on top of Pro capabilities. “Corporate” has a functionally reduced and long-delayed delivery of updates for enterprises and services that need a stable environment for the functioning of their equipment. Microsoft doesn't sell Enterprise to everyday users, only legal entities by subscription. The company states that purchasing this edition by individuals is impossible in principle, but you can buy a license for Enterprise on the Internet quite often. And, naturally, not all points of sale of digital keys will require us to confirm our involvement in the business sector.

Education

Education is essentially the same Enterprise edition, only with the missing Cortana and the impossibility of switching to LTSB. The main difference between Education is its market orientation educational institutions and in connection with this, distribution at a price several times lower than Enterprise. The edition can be purchased by universities, vocational schools, libraries, museums, charitable organizations, teaching staff of educational institutions and students themselves, if they are not part-time students. As a condition of purchasing the edition, Microsoft has the right to require documentary evidence of the appropriate status of the buyer.

Windows N is not a separate edition, not even a sub-edition, it is a variation of Home and Pro without Windows Media Player and some other components. Microsoft was forced to create a stripped-down assembly in 2004 in accordance with the requirement of the European Commission, which began to protect the interests of third-party European developers who released their multimedia products.

Windows KN also appeared in forcibly. A couple of years after the European precedent, the South Korean Trade Commission made a decision against Microsoft, satisfying the claim of the developer Daum Communications and obliging the software giant to release on the South Korean market an assembly of the operating system without a standard player and Instant Messenger (a messenger on board Windows XP).

In Windows 10, N and KN builds do not come with pre-installed Windows applications Media Player, Groove Music, Movies & TV, Voice Recorder and Skype. Also, system synchronization functions, webcam, Cortana, opening PDF files in Microsoft Edge and other things do not work. Windows 10 N and KN are intended for Europe and South Korea– territorial jurisdictions of the authorities that made decisions against Microsoft. And since the existence of these assemblies is forced, naturally, the company does not disseminate information about them unnecessarily.

Builds and versions of Windows 10

If we open the properties of “Tens”, in the characteristics column we will see a mark about its version and assembly.

The build number reflects information about a specific set of Windows 10 functionality and changes frequently as updates are introduced into the stable branch after they have been “run in” within Windows programs Insider. Version numbers of “Ten” change less frequently; their change is timed to coincide with a series of updates. Version numbers are not sequential; they contain information about the date and month of release. In addition to numbers, versions have names - technical (for Microsoft developers and insiders) and marketing ( simple concepts For ordinary users). Windows versions 10 several:

1507, Threshold 1, abbreviated TH1 – the first cumulative update of the “Ten”, released in July 2015;
1511, Threshold 2, abbreviated TH2, simply put, November Update - the second cumulative update, released in November 2015;
1607, Redstone 1, abbreviated as RS1, simply called Anniversary Update - the third cumulative update, released in July 2016.
1703, Redstone 2, abbreviated RS2, simply put Creators Update– fourth cumulative update, released in March 2017;
1709, Redstone 3, abbreviated as RS3, simply put Fall Creators Update – the fifth cumulative update, released in October 2017;
1803, Redstone 4, abbreviated RS4 – a cumulative update scheduled, as we can see from the number, for March next year, which is currently under development. Some of the upcoming functional improvements to the system can already be tested as part of the Windows Insider program.

That's how many tentacles the giant octopus called Windows 10 has.