Most of the Microsoft users have been satisfied with their Windows 10 Home operating system. However, some of its new features are only available on Windows 10 Pro edition.
Some customers who purchase or build a Windows 10 PC will be using either the “Home” or “Pro” versions of the operating system. Many people don’t understand what they’re on as long as it’s Windows 10 and do whatever they want it to do.
For others, Windows 10 Pro will be a must-have. But if it doesn’t work with the PC you purchase, you will upgrade at a cost. The latest Windows 10 feature updates, such as April 2018 and May 2019 Windows 10 Updates, add more Pro-specific features. A lot of people have been writing good reviews for the Pro edition.
So while it’s pricier than your regular Home edition, is Windows 10 Pro worth it for you?
Windows 10 Professional is a part of Microsoft digital products, and it doesn’t take anything away from someone who chooses the Home Version. It merely adds more advanced features. It’s a costly choice, but all the add-ons will make it worth it.
To realize what I’m saying, take a look at some points that can justify Windows 10 Pro being the best choice as we embrace a new normal economy.
Windows 10 Home vs. Windows 10 Pro Pricing
You will generally pay $103.20 (as of August 2019) to activate Windows 10 Home from Softvire. It’s at least $10 cheaper than purchasing directly from Microsoft. It’s a lifetime license, but it’s pretty cheap for the long term.
Another buying option is to purchase a system builder license from an e-tailer. It’s usually a choice of enthusiasts, but it doesn’t provide support or even Microsoft guidance.
Windows 10 Pro currently costs $111.2 for Softvire. It’s almost $100 cheaper than Microsoft’s price.
5 Features of Windows 10 Pro You Shouldn’t Miss
Microsoft has developed a helpful web page to compare different versions of Windows 10 and break down the reasons for updates to Windows Pro. These factors have been broken down into four categories: fundamentals, management and deployment, security, and Windows updates. They both have some importance for power consumers and more traditional businesses alike.
But here, we’ll offer you 5 of the best features of Pro that you wouldn’t want to miss.
BitLocker
Microsoft has made tremendous strides over the past few years when it comes to security. That includes BitLocker, which uses encryption to lock your content behind a password securely.
In other words, hackers and criminals are going to have an adamant time accessing your data.
BitLocker offers something in addition to the security you already have in place. You can securely save your data to external drives, like a USB drive.
If you’re working on your laptop, for example, at a café and need to use the comfort room, you can import it to an external drive with BitLocker. Others who try to look at it won’t access that necessary file even if they steal your laptop or thumb drive because they won’t get past the encryption. They’ll need your password to do that.
Remote access
You can remotely access your computer, or you can remotely access it from an IT expert. It’s convenient if you need someone to help you solve a bug on your computer or teach you about a new software program.
With Windows 10 Pro, you have more control over remote access to your computer than you do with the standard edition. It comes in handy, mainly if you work from home sometimes.
Client Hyper-V
In addition to the computer you use every day, you can develop a virtual PC on your laptop. You may want this virtual PC with a different operating system, for example, or you might want to experiment with software that might otherwise mess with all the programs and data you have on your laptop.
Edge security
The internet is a dangerous place. It will certainly be if you access the Dark Web, for example, or think of all the data breaches that have happened in the past, such as eBay, Google, Yahoo, and so many more.
The Microsoft web browser, Edge, keeps you safe with the Windows Defender Application Guard (WDAG). It’s created for the industry. Malicious sites are not going to affect your PCs.
Update for business
There’s nothing more annoying at work than getting the Windows 10 computer suddenly shut down for security updates. It will take hours occasionally, literally, to ruin your working day.
One of the best stuff about this for most people is getting security updates and patches immediately. But when operating in Windows 10 Pro, you can delay those updates until a more reasonable and less intrusive period, such as a weekend or a day off.
Ways to Upgrade Your Windows 10 Home to Pro
If you’re satisfied that Windows 10 Pro is the way to go, then here are several ways to upgrade to Pro Version from Home:
Upgrading Windows Home to Pro via the Microsoft store
If you haven’t paid for any update yet, and no one has handed you a copy of Pro, the best way to upgrade is to use the Windows Store.
Upgrade from Windows 10 Home to Pro via a License Key/Digital License
If you already have a copy, what you need to do to make it work is a Product Key (alternately called a license key). You’re going to replace the new license key.
Upgrading to the existing Windows 10 OS and product key would be easy. You need to take the following steps:
- Make sure you’re up to date on any Windows Updates.
- Navigate again to Start Menu > Settings > Updates and Security > Activation.
- Under Activation, select the Change product key.
How to Transfer your Windows 10 Pro Upgrade
Since you have an entire operating system before this upgrade, you may uninstall it from your new computer and use it on another one. You are effectively reinstalling the original license, which would make the upgrade available again. If you need to do the following:
- Look at the bottom of your Windows laptop or the top/side of your desktop tower. There might be a sticker showing the original Windows product key; additionally, it might be in the manuals and other information that come in your PC’s box.
- Enter the key in the Change Product Key dialog as noted above, and you can automatically update to your old Home license.
Your upgrade license should now free up to install on another machine.
Ultimately the decision is yours to make, but if remote desktop functionality, for example, is all you want, there are ways to achieve this without spending over 100 bucks. Home PCs and laptops will be fine on Windows 10 Home for most people, most of the time. However, if you’re running a small business or perhaps plan to develop software, Windows 10 Pro would be a wise investment. For a database server for your business, I would suggest Microsoft SQL Server Standard 2017. It delivers simple data management and a business intelligence database for small organizations to run their applications. It would be a big help for businesses.
Check the other Microsoft digital products we have on sale to make your purchase more worthwhile. You can also bundle your Microsoft products with our other online software on sale now.
