Versions of Windows 10 Pro for Workstations?

oxonsi · 11 Oct 2018

I recently learned of Windows 10 Pro for Workstations as version of Windows 10 geared toward very high-end workstation hardware.

Then I happened to configure a Dell Precision 7820 Tower online, and I noticed that in the operating system section, it offers a choice of Windows 10 Pro for Workstations (4 Cores Plus) and Windows 10 Pro for Workstations (up to 4 Cores). And there is a price difference between the two of $104.82.

I found a couple of things interesting about this, which raised some questions in my mind.

1) Most importantly, are there really different versions of Windows 10 Pro for Workstations, one for systems with up to 4 cores, and one for systems with more than 4 cores? I don't find any mention of this on Microsoft's website, nor anywhere else really. And I find it somewhat surprising that there would even be a version of this high-end OS for workstations designed to only accommodate systems with 4 cores or less.

2) There is no option to configure these systems with ordinary Windows 10 Pro, although I believe there is no reason it wouldn't work. There are options for several Linux distributions. And in the "Help Me Choose" link, it states, "Windows 10 Pro for Workstation is an operating system edition required by Microsoft for Windows Pro systems with Intel Xeon or AMD Opteron processors." Although as far as I know ordinary Windows 10 Pro will work with Xeon and Opteron processors.

Here for reference is a link to the Dell page I was looking at.

Precision 7820 Tower Workstation with Intel Xeon Processors | Dell United States

Confused.

alphanumeric · 12 Oct 2018

It's just listed the once as Windows 10 Professional for Workstations on my Visual Studio Windows 10 Business ISO. And I only have the one set of Product Codes for Pro for Workstations. I've run it, can't remeber if I've even clean installed it though?

Windows 10 (business edition), version 1803 (Updated Sep 2018) (x64) - DVD (English)

For this multi-edition Business media, use a product key specific to the edition in the list you want to activate.Windows 10 Pro for Workstations product keys will also activate the VL multi-edition media.

This multi-edition Business media includes the following editions:
Windows 10 Pro
Windows 10 Pro N
Windows 10 Pro for Workstations
Windows 10 Pro for Workstations N
Windows 10 Pro Education
Windows 10 Pro Education N
Windows 10 Education
Windows 10 Education N
Windows 10 Enterprise
Windows 10 Enterprise N

Released: 9/18/2018
SHA1: D302D2E752C01E53996AE292A8DD4CDF49916BAD
File name: en_windows_10_business_edition_version_1803_updated_sep_2018_x64_dvd_37051f54.iso

Windows 10 (consumer edition), version 1803 (Updated Sep 2018) (x64) - DVD (English)
For this multi-edition Consumer media, use a product key specific to the edition in the list you want to activate.

From the desktop, select the Start button > Settings > Update & Security > Activation. Select Change product key and enter your product key. If the key is valid, you'll be asked to confirm the edition change, and Windows then performs it for you.

Windows 10 Professional, version 1709 or newer, will need to be installed before using the Window 10 Pro for Workstations product key to activate the edition. BothWindows 10 Professional and Windows 10 Pro for Workstations product keys will activate Windows 10 Professional, version 1709 or newer media.

This multi-edition Consumer media includes the following editions:
Windows 10 Home
Windows 10 Home N
Windows 10 Pro
Windows 10 Pro N
Windows 10 Pro for Workstations
Windows 10 Pro for Workstations N
Windows 10 Pro Education
Windows 10 Pro Education N
Windows 10 Core Single Language
Windows 10 Education
Windows 10 Education N

Released: 9/18/2018
SHA1: 0208398915C08FE03F6C63FAEA9DCC9BBBD00532
File name: en_windows_10_consumer_edition_version_1803_updated_sep_2018_x64_dvd_69339216.iso