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Licensing Windows

Windows versions and editions

Versions of Microsoft Products represent different iterations or releases of a specific product with updates and improvements, such as Windows 8, Windows 10 or Windows 11.

There are several editions for each version of Windows, for example, there are three editions of Windows 11 as shown in Microsoft's feature comparison chart:

  1. Windows 11 Home. This version is for consumers and not intended for business as in previous Windows versions.
  2. Windows 11 Pro. This version is for business and professional use.
  3. Windows 11 Pro for Workstations. This is an advanced version for power users.

The Pro for Workstations edition could benefit enterprise organizations because it provides certain specific applications that the Pro edition doesn't offer. These improved features include accelerated file storage, increased support for CPU and RAM, and enhanced data integrity with the Resilient File System technology. Generally speaking, most enterprise organizations adopt Windows 11 Pro.

For those editions, licenses are assigned in per device model, each device with installed Windows OS must be licensed. We use Multiple Activation Key (MAK). This is a single key that's valid for all the purchased licenses. Once a computer is imaged, it'll activate against Microsoft’s servers. 

Besides those versions, there is an enterprise version dedicated to huge organizations:

  1. Windows 11 Enterprise. This version introduces several unique features and enhancements that cater to the needs of large organizations
  2. Windows 10 Enterprise LTSB/LTSC. This version offers long-term support.

Here are some notable features of Windows 11 Enterprise:

  1. Advanced Security: Windows 11 Enterprise provides robust security features to help protect sensitive data and mitigate security threats. It includes features like Windows Hello for secure biometric authentication, Microsoft Defender Antivirus for real-time protection against malware, and BitLocker encryption to safeguard data on devices.

  2. Windows Update for Business: Windows 11 Enterprise offers enhanced control over updates and deployments through Windows Update for Business. It allows organizations to manage and schedule updates, ensuring that critical security patches and feature updates are applied while minimizing disruptions to productivity.

  3. Virtualization-Based Security (VBS): VBS is a feature in Windows 11 Enterprise that uses hardware virtualization to provide added security by isolating critical processes and data. It helps protect against sophisticated attacks and provides secure memory and device encryption.

  4. Microsoft Endpoint Manager Integration: Windows 11 Enterprise seamlessly integrates with Microsoft Endpoint Manager, a comprehensive management platform. It enables IT administrators to efficiently manage and secure devices, applications, and data across the organization from a centralized console.

  5. Windows Autopilot: Windows 11 Enterprise includes Windows Autopilot, a cloud-based deployment and provisioning service. It simplifies the setup and configuration of new devices, allowing organizations to quickly deploy Windows 11 with pre-configured settings, applications, and security policies.

  6. DirectAccess and Always-On VPN: Windows 11 Enterprise offers DirectAccess and Always-On VPN features, providing secure remote access to corporate resources. These features ensure that users can connect to their organization's network securely, regardless of their location.

  7. AppLocker: AppLocker is a powerful application control feature in Windows 11 Enterprise. It allows administrators to define and enforce policies for which applications can run on specific devices, helping to prevent unauthorized software and improving overall security.

  8. Windows Sandbox: Windows 11 Enterprise includes Windows Sandbox, a lightweight virtualized environment. It allows users to run potentially risky applications or files in an isolated environment, ensuring that the host system remains protected.

  9. Enterprise Data Protection: Windows 11 Enterprise offers Enterprise Data Protection (EDP) capabilities, which help protect sensitive data by automatically encrypting files and controlling access based on policies. It provides an additional layer of security for data both inside and outside the corporate network.

Moreover, Windows 11 Enterprise offers Per User Licensing: Windows 11 Enterprise also offers per-user licensing, which allows a user to access Windows 11 Enterprise on multiple devices. With per-user licensing, a user can access their licensed copy of Windows 11 Enterprise from any device, providing flexibility and mobility.

Also, for Windows 10 exists Windows 10 LTSB (Long-Term Servicing Branch), which is an older edition of Windows 10 that was available for specific use cases. However, starting with Windows 10 version 1809, Microsoft changed the name from LTSB to LTSC (Long-Term Servicing Channel).

Windows 10 LTSB/LTSC is a specialized edition of Windows 10 that is designed for devices or systems that require a stable and consistent operating system environment with minimal changes. It is primarily intended for mission-critical or specialized systems, such as medical equipment, industrial machinery, point-of-sale systems, and ATMs.

Here are some key characteristics of Windows 10 LTSB/LTSC:

  1. Long-Term Support: The primary feature of Windows 10 LTSB/LTSC is its long-term support. It follows a different servicing model compared to regular editions of Windows 10. It receives only security updates and critical bug fixes, with no feature updates or changes to the user interface during its support lifecycle.

  2. Stability and Reliability: Windows 10 LTSB/LTSC is designed to provide a stable and reliable operating system environment. It avoids the introduction of new features or major changes that could potentially impact system stability or compatibility.

  3. Minimal Bloatware: LTSB/LTSC editions have a stripped-down version of Windows 10, which includes only essential components and lacks some consumer-oriented features like Cortana, Microsoft Edge, Windows Store, and default Universal Windows Platform (UWP) apps. This helps reduce resource consumption and minimizes the attack surface.

  4. Extended Support: Windows 10 LTSB/LTSC editions have an extended support lifecycle compared to regular editions of Windows 10. Each release is supported for a specific period, typically for 10 years, with security updates and fixes provided throughout that time.

Customers should review the official licensing documentation and consult with a Microsoft licensing specialist to ensure compliance and determine the most suitable licensing approach for their specific requirements.

Additional materials from Microsft:

Licensing Microsoft Windows 11

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