Help Me Choose: Operating System

The operating system (OS) is the most important software on your PC because it:

    •     runs programs
    •     recognizes input from the keyboard
    •     sends output to the monitor
    •     organizes files and directories on the hard disk
    •     controls devices like webcams and printers
    •     manages how your computer accesses available networks

Features HomePro 
Microsoft Edge

All-new browser that makes the web work the way you do. 
YesYes
Multiple Desktops and Snap*

Create multiple desktops and snap up to four apps on one screen.
YesYes
OneDrive

Enjoy free online storage for your photos and files.
YesYes
Join a Domain or Azure Active Directory

Easily connect to your business or school network.
-Yes
Bitlocker*

Help protect your data with enhanced encryption and security management.
-Yes
Remote Desktop

Sign in and use your Pro PC while at home or on the road.
-Yes
Hyper-V*

Create and run virtual machines.
-Yes
Business Store and Private Catalog

Access your company’s apps through your own section in the Windows Store.

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Windows 10 Pro for Workstation

Windows 10 Pro for Workstation is an operating system edition required by Microsoft for Windows Pro systems with Intel Xeon or AMD Opteron processors.

Pro for Workstations enables new features available in the Fall 2017 update. Some features require future hardware readiness to support:

  • Resilient file system (ReFS): Enhance the resilience, performance, and scalability of workstation machine by running Microsoft’s server grade ReFS file system designed for high fault tolerance and handling large data volume. Applications should re-test with this feature. HW requirement: most likely two or more storage drives in RAID mode, need to re-format when going from NTFS to ReFS.
  • Fast I/O with Persistent Memory (NVDIMM): Enable demanding workloads to access important files at the speed of memory with high-end persistent memory hardware configurations. HW requirement: new Intel Skylake SP+ and Skylake W Xeons with future NVDIMM-N storage + BIOS update.
  • Faster File Sharing with SMB Direct: SMB Direct facilitates file transfers between PCs and Servers with large datasets, all with high throughput, low latency, and low CPU usage. Limitation: Feature not available via wireless LAN, only via selected LAN cards.
  • Expanded hardware support: 4 CPUs + 6TB memory. Currently, no Dell platforms support.

 Choose Windows 10 if you want to do things:  Features
Confidently• The Start menu is back and better than ever with the ability to expand and customize it
• InstantGo lets you boot up and resume quickly
Naturally• Cortana is your own digital assistant who learns over time to become more useful
• Use touch, type or the pen
• Reach your favorite things fast with Live Tiles
Simply• Stream and play your Xbox OneTM games to any Windows 10 PC in your home
• Built-in apps like Photos, Maps, Music Video and more work across your devices
• 15GB of free OneDrive storage for easy, anywhere access to your files and photos
Easily• Write directly on web pages and easily share the mark-ups with friends
• Snap up to four apps on the screen and create new desktops for more space

• To enable downgrade to Windows 7 on this system the BIOS settings on this system were changed to boot into legacy BIOS mode. If the BIOS setting is not changed to native UEFI mode boot prior to installing, Windows 10 Pro Product will install; however, the following Windows 10 Pro Product functionalities will not work as they rely on a native UEFI mode boot: Secure Boot, Seamless Boot experience, Network unlock for Bitlocker for systems with a Trusted Platform Module (TPM), eDrive support
Windows 10 S (for Edu-focused Corinth and Keystone):

Windows 10 S gives schools the familiar, robust and productive experiences they count on from Windows – in an experience streamlined for security and superior performance in the classroom, built to work with Microsoft Education. By exclusively using Microsoft-verified apps in the Windows Store and ensuring that you browse safely with Microsoft Edge, Windows 10 S keeps devices running fast and secure every day of the school year.

 Mapping of key features by edition  Win 10 S Home   Pro
 Non-Store applications 
 Domain Join on premise  
 Azure AD domain join  
 Windows Store Apps
 Windows Update delivered drivers (exclusively)
 In-box and command line access 
 Default browser hardened to Microsoft Edge Configurable Configurable
 Windows Update for Business 
 Windows Store for Business 
 Modern Device Management (MDM) Limited
 Bit locker 
 Enterprise state roaming with Azure AD 
 Shared PC Configuration 
 Edge/Internet Explorer search default: Bing and designated regional search providers Configurable Configurable
 Switch to Win 10 Pro (through Windows Store) 

Windows 10 S (for Consumer-focused Rocket and Drax):

Windows 10 S is a familiar, productive Windows experience streamlined for security and superior performance. By exclusively using apps from the Windows Store, which are Microsoft-verified for security and ensuring that you browse safely with Microsoft Edge, Windows 10 S keeps you running fast and secure day in and day out.

Mapping of key features by edition Win 10 S  Home Pro
Non-Store applications
Domain Join on premise
Azure AD domain join
Windows Store Apps
Default browser hardened to Microsoft EdgeConfigurableConfigurable
Windows Update for Business
Windows Store for Business
Modern Device Management (MDM)Limited
Bit locker
Enterprise state roaming with Azure AD
Shared PC Configuration
Edge/Internet Explorer search default: Bing and designated regional search providersConfigurableConfigurable
Switch to Win 10 Pro (through Windows Store)

*This feature list is not exhaustive, but intended to be illustrative to outline configuration differences

Streamlined for security and performance, Windows 10 S works exclusively with apps from the Windows Store. Some accessories and apps compatible with Windows 10 may not work, and performance may vary. Certain default settings, features, and apps cannot be changed. Easily switch to Windows 10 Pro configuration (fee applies). Learn more at microsoft.com/windows10s.
Ubuntu is an open-source operating system built for Linux enthusiasts that Dell offers on select products as an alternative to Windows or Chrome.

Why Choose Ubuntu?
  • Open-source software
  • Freedom to customize your operating system
  • One of the most popular alternative operating systems in the market
  • Free from licensing fees

Features & Design
  • Low total cost of ownership over the life of your computer
  • Thousands of free applications available through the Ubuntu Software Center
  • LibreOffice (office productivity suite) is included
  • Compatible with Microsoft Office Suite
  • Safe and secure: Trusted application software repository, data encryption and built-in protection from malware and viruses
  • 5 years of free security and maintenance updates with Ubuntu LTS (Long Term Release)