So what does all of this mean to the common user or administrator? It’s all about random access memory, or RAM. A 32-bit operating system can handle up to 4 GB of RAM, and a 64-bit processor can handle up to 16 exabytes of RAM. None of this is new. Although 64-bit processors are just starting to get accepted with Windows systems, other operating systems, such as Apple, have been using 64-bit processors for many years.
Computer processors are typically rated by speed. The speed of the processor, or central processing unit (CPU), is rated by the number of clock cycles that can be performed in 1 second. This measurement is typically expressed in gigahertz (GHz). One GHz is one billion cycles per second. Keep in mind that processor architecture must also be taken into account when considering processor speed. A processor with a more efficient pipeline will be faster than a processor with a less-efficient pipeline at the same CPU speed.
Now that you have seen the new features of Windows 10, let’s look at how to prepare the machine to install Windows 10.
Preparing to Install Windows 10
Installing Windows 10 can be relatively simple because of the installation wizard. The installation wizard will walk you through the entire installation of the operating system.
The most difficult part of installing Windows 10 is preparing and planning for the installation. One thing I often say to IT professionals is, “An hour of planning will save you days of work.” Planning a Windows 10 rollout is one of the hardest and most important tasks that you will perform when installing Windows 10.
There are many decisions that should be made before you install Windows 10. The first decision is which version of Windows 10 you want to install. As mentioned previously, Microsoft has six different versions of the Windows 10 operating system. This allows an administrator to custom-fit a user’s hardware and job function to the appropriate version of Windows 10. Many times, Microsoft releases multiple editions of the operating system contained within the same Windows 10 media disk. You can choose to unlock the one you want based on the product key you have. Let’s take a closer look at the different versions of Windows 10.
In this book, we will not talk much about Windows 10 Education. Windows 10 Education is the counterpart to Windows 10 Enterprise, but it is a volume-licensed version of Windows 10 that is specifically priced for educational institutions. Educational institutions receive the same Enterprise functionality, but they pay much less than a corporation.
Windows 10 Home
Windows 10 Home is the main operating system for home users. Windows 10 Home offers many features, including these:
■ Broad application and device compatibility with unlimited concurrent applications
■ A safe, reliable, and supported operating system
■ Microsoft Passport
■ HomeGroup, which allows a user to easily share media, documents, and printers across multiple PCs in homes or offices without the need of a domain
■ Improved Taskbar and Jump Lists (Jump Lists is a feature in Windows 10 that allows you to quickly access files that you have been working on.)
■ Live thumbnail previews and an enhanced visual experience
■ Advanced networking support (ad hoc wireless networks and Internet connection sharing)
■ View Available Networks (VAN) (Windows 10 by default has the ability, when you use a wireless network adapter, to choose the wireless network that you want to connect to by using the wireless network adapter properties.)
■ Device Encryption
■ Easy networking and sharing across all your PCs and devices
■ Windows Update
■ Multitouch
■ Improved handwriting recognition
Windows 10 Professional
Windows 10 Professional is designed for small-business owners. Microsoft designed Windows 10 Professional for users to get more done and safeguard their data. Professional offers the following features:
■ Broad application and device compatibility with unlimited concurrent applications
■ A safe, reliable, and supported operating system
■ Microsoft Passport
■ Domain Join
■ Improved Taskbar and Jump Lists
■ Enterprise Mode Internet Explorer (EMIE)
■ Advanced networking support (ad hoc wireless networks and Internet connection sharing)
■ View Available Networks (VAN) (Windows 10 by default has the ability, when you use a wireless network adapter, to choose the wireless network that you want to connect to by using the wireless network adapter properties.)
■ Mobility Center
■ Action Center, which makes it easier to resolve many IT issues yourself
■ Easy networking and sharing across all your PCs and devices
■ Group Policy Management
■ Windows Update and Windows Update for Business
■ Multitouch
■ Improved handwriting recognition
■ Domain Join, which enables simple and secure server networking
■ BitLocker, which protects data on removable devices
■ Device Encryption
■ Encrypting File System, which protects data
■ Client Hyper-V
■ Location Aware Printing, which helps find the right printer when moving between the office and home
■ Start menu that includes Live Tiles
Windows 10 Enterprise
Windows 10 Enterprise is the version designed for midsize and large organizations. This operating system has the most features and security options of all Windows 10 versions. Here are some of the features:
■ Broad application and device compatibility with unlimited concurrent applications
■ A safe, reliable, and supported operating system
■ Microsoft Passport
■ Enterprise Mode Internet Explorer (EMIE)
■ Group Policy Management
■ Windows Update and Windows Update for Business
■ Advanced networking support (ad hoc wireless networks and Internet connection sharing)
■ View Available Networks (VAN) (Windows 10 by default has the ability, when you use a wireless network adapter, to choose the wireless network that you want to connect to by using the wireless network adapter properties.)
■ Mobility Center
■ Easy networking and sharing across all your PCs and devices
■ Multitouch
■ Start menu that includes Live Tiles
■ Improved handwriting recognition
■ Domain Join, which enables simple and secure server networking
■ Device Encryption
■ Encrypting File System, which protects data
■ Location