In this highly advanced and fast computing environment, the decision of what operating system to choose is crucial to have the highest efficiency for work, gaming, or just media playing. In this VS, we’ll look at the pros and cons of two of the most popular operating systems in the world - Windows Pro N and Windows Pro. What are the differences? Which one is better? What can you get with each of them? We’re going to find that out!

So, let’s make things clear, the main difference between those two systems is rather apparent. Windows 10 Pro N is essentially the same thing as Windows 10 Professional, but it is missing Microsoft Apps such as Windows Media Player, Music, Video, Voice Recorder, or Skype. It’s also made only for the European market. 

So, media-related technologies that, let’s be honest, most Windows users skip are gone. Those built-in apps can be installed separately. But - as we all know, the devil is in the details, so let’s see what each system has in store.

Windows 10 Pro is another installment of the Professional family of Microsoft. It is suited for those users who crave something more than just your everyday multimedia apps and need a diverse set of pre-installed software to suit their sophisticated needs. Windows 10 Pro has every Home version built-in app and more. Here are the most vital examples.

Remote Desktop

This addition is really crucial when it comes to advanced users. The original Home version also has Remote Desktop Protocol, but it is not the same. With Pro, you gain the ability not only to do some basic remote control of your computer to another computer but also - from another device on the network.

Multifactor Authentication

It is also a very important addition, especially if you use the computer for work and business. Microsoft Windows 10 Pro with Multifactor Authentication gives you the ability to fully protect your device from strangers, colleagues from work, or family members snooping around. It is basically another layer of protection you get while logging. When signing in, you get an SMS code, Microsoft Authenticator code, or something uniquely suited for your needs. If you cherish your privacy, this is a vital addition.

BitLocker

This one is a little bit more complicated to understand at first, but in short - it adds yet another layer of security to your programs. This time - it additionally encrypts your individual files. It’s a breakthrough, as the previous version had the “all-or-nothing” approach when it comes to file encryption. This changes the game because with this tool, you can freely share your computer or data with friends and family or even work colleagues and encrypt only the sensitive files that you want to hide.

Trusted Boot

It’s another security add-on to your system. Business users enjoy this one as it protects them against any malware and rootkits. The best thing about this is that it does not involve your attention. You get it done while you’re starting the computer so remember to turn it off from time to time, even if it’s only to do some security checks.

Manage Mobile Devices

Another addition to the Windows 10 Pro is the possibility to connect your mobile phone to your computer. It’s especially useful when combined with an Android phone. In this mode, you don’t even need to use your phone as all your calls, text messages, and apps can be run through this special app on your desktop. It’s beneficial and saves time you need to switch from your mobile device to your computer.

Windows Sandbox

It is yet another security measure on our list. It’s one of the more advanced technologies as it lets you isolate a program and put it in some kind of, as the name suggests, “sandbox.” What does it mean in practice? Well, the program trapped in this app does not have a way out to go and influence the rest of your operating system. So if you have any risky software on your computer - this is the way to run it.

Hyper-V

This is another complicated tool suited for the more demanding users. It’s not an in-built media software like the others on our list, to enable it, you need to download it separately. What it basically does is that it creates virtual hardware devices. Similar to Deamon Tools back in the day, it lets you use a virtual version of your hard drive, virtual switch, and many other similar things. This trick allows you to run many more processes than you’d be able to with a Home version of this Microsoft software.

Windows Store for Business

You would think that this type of addition is indeed all about some hyper-restricted apps you can only find in this mode. Well, you’d be wrong. Although it has some fun and additional elements, it is more or less the same thing. What is added to it is the fact that you can buy business apps in bulk and freely switch between different forms of payment. So - it’s a fancy way to call a Microsoft Store App.

Windows Update for Business

Same goes for Windows Update really. The main difference is that with the Business version you can choose which updates are for what kind of devices in the network. It’s really mostly connected with the next point on our list, which is…

Group Policy

This one is really important when creating a business environment at work or in your home. Group Policy allows you, as the administrator of the network, to limit the number of users' actions. With this tool, you can pick and choose what kind of tasks your team members will do or restrict access to some elements of the system to your family members. It goes from such prosaic things as putting a special password to access certain parts of data or even authority to install some apps. With multiple devices - it’s a no-brainer.

Enterprise Mode Internet Explorer

This one is a controversial one because, as the meme goes, the only reason to use Internet Explorer, or Microsoft Edge as they like to call it sometimes, is to download another media browser. Well, it may be true for everyday users, but some businesses really find Internet Explorer useful. Especially in the Enterprise Mode provided with Windows 10 Pro version, which gives you better security and compatibility with older applications.

Microsoft Azure

It’s a tool to allow users a swift synchronization of all their settings on multiple devices while connecting to the sync application. Keep in mind that this tool does not send files between the devices. It rather changes or copies the configuration you have on your “main” one. It’s really best used, again, in a business environment where you need many computers to have the same configuration. The same goes for shared PC configuration that really does not need an individual point as it really is connected to the last one.

Assigned Access

…while doing so - you will surely want to have some access to the computers in your network. With this, you can pretty much control what is going on in your network and decide if you want to add some access to one of the devices or take it away. You can also acquire data from any device you want.

Windows Domain

This tool lets you more efficiently take care of your business network and all the devices plugged into it. It even shows you the outside devices connected to the network like printers or scanners. You can control access to those devices as well.

Dynamic Provisioning

This function is beneficial when creating a very complex network with many different configurations of access between users. So, to make this much easier, Dynamic Provisioning is there to help you. Instead of configuring every single device repeatedly, you can simply create a profile on a portable USB drive. That way, you can just plug the USB into any new device, and it will automatically create the profile you need.

System Requirements

• 1GHz or faster CPU
• 1GB RAM (for the 32-bit version) or 2GB RAM (for the 64-bit version)
• 16GB HDD space (for the 32-bit version) or 20GB (for the 64-bit version)
• DirectX 9 compatible graphics card or newer with WDDM 1.0 driver
• An 800 x 600 pixels or higher display
• Internet connection

So, now we know what do we get with Windows 10 Pro and why is it a good idea to get one for yourself. Well, let’s find out what kind of multimedia technologies are missing from the system.

In the case of what system is better for gaming - there really isn’t any right or wrong answer. Both of them work pretty much the same. It all depends on what kind of hardware you have. Although, if your game needs some kind of Media Extention to be run or installed, then you have to get it in the Windows Store if you have Windows 10 Pro N.

As we’ve stated before, Windows 10 Pro N is basically the same system but without all the multimedia features. You can download all the media apps from the Windows shop, but you don’t get them upfront. Why is that the case, and why Microsoft decided to create this distinction?

Well, the answer is pretty complicated, but we’ll try to describe it the best we can. So, it all comes down to the law. The European court ruled against Microsoft in one of the groundbreaking cases. European Union has really strict anti-monopoly laws that describe what kind of pressure can be put on a user. The court claimed that putting all the built-in apps restricts the ability of the users to find apps with the same functionality on the market. In other words, by putting their apps in the operating system, Microsoft restricted users’ ability to look for the best one on the market. 

As Microsoft is such a big player in the digital world, it was deemed to be unfair to other app vendors. To combat this ruling, Microsoft decided to release a Windows 10 version without all the built-in apps on the European market. They added “N” to the name and put all the apps in the Microsoft store, so the users can freely access them if they want to.

Well, the answer to this question is pretty simple. Just go to the Setting on your computer and click the About button in the lower-left corner. You will then be shown a version of Windows installed on your computer.

If you happen to have Windows 10 Pro N installed on your computer, you will have to unlock all the features of the multimedia software provided by Microsoft, or you can choose other multimedia apps. If you want to use the ones provided by Microsoft, you can simply download them from the Microsoft Store or go to Apps -> Apps & Features -> Optional Features -> Add a Feature, where the Media Feature Pack is ready for you to install.

With all that in mind, what is the better operating system in the end? Well, to be honest, it really does not matter. If you’re a part of the EU, you will probably have to get the N version, as those are the only ones sold there. 

If you’re in another part of the world - then you can get the standard Windows 10 Pro and just use it as they told you to. It does not make that much of a difference, the only one being that you don’t have to install all these apps. 

Windows 10 is the most popular operating system in the world, so you have to trust that those apps may have been popularised for some reason. They are very well put together, they work well with other Microsoft products, and it’s just overall a great investment in the end. 

So - if you’re looking for a system that is just suited for your every need, and it does not matter what that need is - look for Windows 10 CD key. It is one of the best investments you can make in the operating system. You will not regret it for sure!

Thanks for checking out our article! We hope that, even though we couldn’t make out which system is better, we provided you with information that will let you understand the mechanisms that are hidden behind this distinction. 

As always, we’re always here to help so if you have any questions - feel free to let us know! We’ll be glad to help you out! Also, if you have any unresolved questions about software/gaming-related topics, let us know. We’ll be more than happy to resolve this one for you. And - spread the word if you liked our article!