Windows 11 – Versions and comparison

Windows 11 versions

With Windows 11, Microsoft released six different versions of the operating system for different application areas.

• Windows 11 Home
• Windows 11 Pro, Pro for Education & Pro for Workstation
• Windows 11 Education
• Windows 11 Enterprise (full version)
• Windows 11 IoT Enterprise LTSC

Windows 11 Home vs. Windows 11 Pro

The Home version of the new Windows operating system is the basic version of the various editions and includes all standard functions such as Microsoft Edge, the new Store, desktop management, input methods, widgets and much more.

The Windows 11 Pro versions, like the Home version, contain all the standard functions with a few additional features specially developed for companies. This includes BitLocker, for example, which can be used to encrypt data if the device is stolen or a data leak occurs.

Windows 11 IoT Enterprise

This version of Windows 11 contains all the functions of the classic Enterprise version, but is also specially developed for embedded devices. It offers many innovations that focus on improving the end user's flexible and fluid experience. Windows 11 IoT Enterprise is designed to be the most reliable, secure, connected and powerful Windows operating system.

This operating system is based on Windows 10 IoT Enterprise, so the investments made in tools for update and device management will continue. Most accessories and associated drivers that work with Windows 10 IoT Enterprise will also work with the new Windows 11 IoT Enterprise.

Windows 11 IoT Enterprise LTSC

Windows 11 IoT Enterprise LTSC provides a stable and long-term supported platform with a support cycle of up to 10 years, making it ideal for critical and immutable applications. It focuses on security updates and critical fixes, without the frequent feature updates found in other versions of Windows.

This stability and predictability are particularly important for industrial control systems, medical devices and other embedded systems that need to function reliably over a long period of time. The LTSC version minimizes downtime and interruptions due to updates, making it an optimal choice for environments that require continuous uptime. It also offers the familiar Windows security and management functions that enable simple integration and management in existing IT infrastructures.

Windows IoT for spo-comm Mini-PCs

Windows 11 vs. Windows 10: Comparison

Apart from a few new features, Windows 11 is very similar to Windows 10, just a little prettier, for example through the visual customization of the icons or the start menu. However, there are more than enough new functions in Windows 11:

From a new start menu and taskbar design to a new widget area and snap groups that allow you to design and set up your screen more flexibly than ever before. The new Windows 11 has new features for every area of interest. Even if the new start menu is quite reminiscent of the macOS operating system, it is still clearer and also displays recently used files. Further adjustments have been made to the Microsoft Store, the Microsoft Teams app (which is now installed by default) and the layout on tablets.

System requirements for Windows 11

With Windows 11, Microsoft places high demands on devices; the operating system can only be installed on processors manufactured from 2016/2017 (for Intel PCs from the 8th Pentium and Atom chips).

Further minimum requirements are:

• 4 GB RAM
• 64 or more GB memory
• UEFI system firmware
• Trusted Platform Module(TPM) Version 2.0
• Graphics card compatible with DirectX 12 or higher
• High-resolution screen (720p), diagonal >9 inches and 8 bits per color channel

Windows 11 also requires a Microsoft account, which was not necessary for previous versions.

Of course, some of our Mini-PCs are compatible with Windows 11. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us.