“IoT” or “not IoT” is the question! (Windows 10 IoT FAQ), updated

    In this article, we will try to answer frequently asked questions about the differences between the desktop versions of Windows 10 and the so-called “Embedded” versions of Windows 10 (that is, versions for manufacturers of embedded devices) that received the “IoT” prefix from “Internet of Things” ".

    If in the previous editions these differences were obvious - clearly different names, component structure, use of special tools for assembly, then for Windows 10 Microsoft, in an effort to unify versions, made names, technical capabilities, tools, support and promotion policies more similar.

    All this led to a lot of questions from users (and even Microsoft employees from other departments!) Regarding the differences between Embedded and non-Embedded versions, how they are licensed, activated, updated, etc.

    In this regard, we decided to make a small FAQ with TOP5 questions on the embedded versions of Windows 10. We hope this information will be useful to the audience of developers and will help to make the right choice of OS version depending on the project.

    1. Question: How do versions of Windows 10 Enterprise differ from Windows 10 IoT Enterprise?
    Answer: We will consider three aspects of differences: technical, licensed and price.
    Technically (if we consider the LTSB distribution), these versions are identical. However, for the IoT version you can get a special key (Embedded PKEA) that does not require activation to get started (see the question “Do I need activation for Windows 10 IoT?” ). The key for the “regular” Windows 10 Enterprise will require activation on each device.
    Also, for Windows 10 IoT Enterprise, only one version of the distribution is available - LTSB (see below the question “What is the LTSB distribution ..?” )
    Licensing differences are significant enough:

    First , the Windows 10 Enterprise license is available only to the end user (organization) ) and is a registered license for internal use. Its resale to another person is impossible. While the Windows 10 IoT Enterprise license is not personalized , it is supplied through Embedded distributors to manufacturers and manufacturers of devices that may resellThis license to an unlimited number of customers along with the device on which it is installed (the so-called OEM license);

    Secondly , the Windows 10 Enterprise license can be installed on any computer device, while Windows 10 IoT Enterprise - only on a specialized application device , i.e. “Embedded” or “Embedded” device;

    Thirdly , there are 3 licensing options in Windows 10 IoT Enterprise(3 different SKUs), depending on the power (model) of the processor, which is not available in the desktop Windows 10 Enterprise, where there is one edition and one price. This pricing scheme, exclusive to IoT / Embedded products, allows you to save up to 70% of the price of a desktop analogue if your device runs on an Atom type CPU and up to 50% on a Core i3 / i5 type CPU;

    Fourth , Windows 10 IoT Enterprise is supplied to manufacturers in the full version, and Windows 10 Enterprise - only in the “ upgrade ” version and, therefore, will require the presence of a previous version.

    Price differences : Due to optimization for highly specialized PCs, IoT licenses are significantly cheaperthan desktop versions and are economically justified in all cases where the device is not a "universal PC".

    2. Question: What is the LTSB distribution and how does it differ from the usual Windows 10 distribution.
    Answer: LTSB is the Long Term Servicing Branch (derived from the terminology of Linux) - a special version of the update management policy that allows you to refuse to install functional updates of the operating system for the so-called “mission critical” devices, where such an update could lead to an unplanned shutdown of the device. Functional updates will be delivered only every 2-3 years and delivered as desired. Critical patches and security updates may still be delivered in accordance with the device policy. There is a separate distribution for LTSB, in which there are no: Store UX, Cortana, Edge and applications served through the Store (News, Sports, Finance, etc.).
    Embedded Windows 10 IoT Enterprisein reality is Windows 10 Enterprise LTSB.

    3. Question: How to purchase Windows 10 Enterprise with LTSB?
    There are two ways to buy Windows 10 Enterprise with LTSB:
    • To the end user (organization) - at a Microsoft reseller for Volume License programs. Only update available ;
    • To the manufacturer or integrator - from the Windows Embedded distributor . Available full version. In this case, the product is called " Windows 10 IoT Enterprise ."

    4. Question: Is activation required for Windows 10 IoT?
    Answer: Unlike Windows 10 Enterprise, the key for Windows 10 IoT Enterprise LTSB (called Embedded PKEA) is entered at the factory and does not require user activation and an Internet connection to get started. In the future, if connected to the Internet, the system is activated independently and "silently" without any visible notifications and changes in the operation of the device. If the connection does not happen, the device will continue to work for its entire life, without requiring activation.

    5. Question: What versions of Windows 10 IoT exist?
    Answer: There are 2 completely different products with the prefix IoT:
    • Windows 10 IoT Enterprise LTSB or CBB - the full Windows Enterprise described above for use in a wide range of embedded devices (in three licensing options, depending on the processor model - Entry, Value, High End);
    • Windows 10 IoT Core - a free lightweight OS for simple compact devices with support for ARM architecture (not compatible with classic Windows applications and devices, does not have its own graphical shell);

    To work with Windows 10 IoT products, special development tools are not required, as was the case with Windows Embedded, but to take full advantage of all the features of “embedding” and to customize the image for certain requirements, there is a free tool Windows Imaging and Configuration Designer (ICD), about which we wrote in detail earlier. ICD is included in the Windows ADK, which can be downloaded here .
    Third-party tools are also available to simplify customization of the Windows 10 IoT Enterprise image, such as ZereOS Embedded Configuration Manager.
    We are ready to answer your other questions. Contact, write comments!

    You can get additional consultations, order development, and purchase the Microsoft embedded OS from an authorized distributor of Quarta Technologies, www.quarta-embedded.ru , in Russia and the CIS countries

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