Often, students and teachers ask, “What is Windows 10 Education, and how is it different from normal Windows?” From my experience, I can say that this edition is actually specially designed for those people who work in the environment of schools, colleges, or universities. It is not designed for normal home users, so in this, you get those features which are not available in basic editions.

Windows 10 Education Getintopc Wiki

What is Windows 10 Education?

In simple terms, this is a version of Windows 10 that is based on the Enterprise edition, but its target is students and educational institutions. Meaning, it includes all the things needed to run a professional IT setup – like BitLocker encryption, Group Policy Management, AppLocker, and advanced networking tools.

You don’t usually purchase this edition from the market, but get it through universities and schools. Microsoft provides it for free or at a heavy discount through its academic programs. The advantage of this is that students and teachers can use a powerful Windows version without spending too much money.

Windows 10 Education Quick Overview

Edition NameWindows 10 Education
Base EditionBased on Windows 10 Enterprise
Availability MethodAcademic Volume Licensing (schools, universities)
Education-specific FeaturesAppLocker, Take a Test, Credential Guard, Endpoint Detection & Response, “Set Up School PCs” app
Removed by DefaultCortana, Microsoft Store suggestions, Windows Spotlight
Administration & SecurityGroup Policy, BranchCache, Azure AD join, advanced management
Licensing NotesMay be restricted to students/staff; but often remains functional even post-graduation
Compatibility & PerformanceSame as Pro/Enterprise; fully supports apps, gaming, virtualization (e.g. DirectX, Hyper-V)
Use Case RecommendationIdeal for academic environments where enhanced security and management are required
DeveloperMicrosoft

For which people is Windows 10 useful in education?

In my experience, if you are a home user who does only basic tasks – like browsing, office work, or gaming – then this edition may be overkill for you. But if you are in the IT or computer science field, doing research, or you have an official license from your institution, then this is definitely a strong option.

This is best for IT admins of institutes as it has centralized management and strong security features. Managing multiple computers from one place, blocking unauthorized software, or setting up secure logins becomes quite easy in this edition.

Key Features

  • BitLocker Encryption – an advanced tool to secure data
  • Group Policy Management – ​​to easily control multiple devices
  • AppLocker – flexibility to block or allow specific applications
  • DirectAccess and BranchCache – for remote access and fast networking
  • Enterprise-grade Security – High-level protection without extra cost
Windows 10 Education System Requirements
ComponentRequirement
Operating System VersionWindows 10 Education (32-bit or 64-bit)
Processor (CPU)1 GHz or faster processor
Supports PAE, NX, and SSE2
Recommended: Intel Core i3 or newer
RAM (Memory)32-bit: 1 GB
64-bit: 2 GB
Recommended: 4 GB or more
Disk Space32-bit: 16 GB
64-bit: 20 GB
Recommended: SSD with 50 GB or more free space
Graphics Card (GPU)DirectX 9 compatible with WDDM 1.0 driver
Recommended: DirectX 12 compatible GPU
Display ResolutionMinimum: 800 × 600
Recommended: 1366 × 768 or higher
NetworkInternet connection required for updates, activation, and Microsoft Store access
Other RequirementsMicrosoft account for activation and cloud features
Secure Boot and TPM 2.0 recommended for security

Is this the right edition for you?

If you are a student and you are getting it free or at a cheap price, then definitely use it. This is a stable and secure version that gives you professional level tools. But if you only need it for casual use, the Home or Pro edition will be more simple and user-friendly.

FAQs

Q: Can Windows 10 Education be used for gaming?

Yes, there is no compromise in performance. But its focus is not gaming, but security and management.

Q: Can it be converted to Windows Home or Pro?

Technically yes, but the requirement is less because it has more features, not less.

Q: How will I get the license?

Usually through the Microsoft agreement of your institute. For students, it is available free or at a nominal price.