Windows 10: Using Windows 10 Pro or Education key on a new build, what's best?

Hi there! So, I just built a new computer and was about to buy the retail version of Windows 10 Pro directly from Microsoft. However, I realized that my college provides me with a slew of Windows 10 keys via Azure. I have the following to choose from, all 64-bit versions, and excluding such things as SDKs or Language Packs:

• Windows 10 (consumer editions), version 1903 - DVD
• Windows 10 (consumer editions), version 1909
• Windows 10 (consumer editions), version 2004 - DVD
• Windows 10 Education, Version 1809 (Updated Sept 2018)
• Windows 10 Version 1809 (Updated Sept 2018)

To be clear, I have no issue purchasing the retail version of Windows 10 Pro from Microsoft (i.e. I don't mind the cost), as I figure it will be the last version of Windows that I purchase for the foreseeable future. And, I definitely want Pro (or the equivalent) and not Home.



I guess my questions is, seeing that I have these educational keys available to me, should I go ahead and use one of them, and if so, which one? Even from reading online, I'm not entirely clear on the best course of action, and I'm not entirely certain the differences between each of the versions listed above (the descriptions on Azure aren't super helpful). I'm also unaware if using an edu key will "tie" me to my college somehow, or if it has any impact..?



Is it just simpler to buy a Windows 10 Pro license and not deal with using an edu key, and is there any downside to using an edu key that I'm unaware of? I don't want to unintentionally hamstring myself somehow by using one of these keys, and I'd really prefer to not have to do a fresh install of Windows later on, for example. Is there anything else I should know before proceeding, one way or the other?

Thanks for any help, I really appreciate it!

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:)

 

Windows 10 Education Pro

I've not had an opportunity to test Pro Education edition yet but I am running normal Education on a Hyper-V virtual machine and on dual boot with Pro on a laptop. Basically Education is exactly as Enterprise, meant for domain or Azure AD use. Main differences when compared to Pro are missing Cortana and no possibility to use Microsoft account as initial user account when setting up Windows, although when selecting initial user as local domain user a normal local account will be created which can then be switched to a Microsoft account instead of joining a domain.

Native Windows apps in Windows 10 Education edition are the same than in Pro edition, Cortana being the only exception.

If you already have setup Windows 10 Pro on your machines with a customised image I can see no benefits in doing the job again deploying an almost similar OS. This is of course only my personal subjective opinion based on what I know at the moment; I have no knowledge or insight about what additional features (see highlighted part in quote below) Pro Education might be and if they would be reason enough to upgrade to Pro Education.

Quote from https://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/...tion-customers:

 

How can I convert Windows 10 Pro Education to Pro OEM?

Hi,

To assist you better, kindly provide us more details by answering the following questions:

• Is Windows 10 Pro Education Pre-installed on your computer?
  
• Have you upgraded your computer from Windows 10 Pro to Windows 10 Pro Education? If so, do you still have the product key for Windows 10 Pro?

Meanwhile, you may refer to the steps under Roll back Windows 10 Pro Education to Windows 10 Pro section of this
article.

Should you need further assistance, feel free to get back to us.

 

Windows 10 v2004 - Media Creation for Pro Education

I've downloaded the windows 10 media creation to attempt a fresh install on my Windows 10 Pro Education computer.

The Pro Education option is not available, and when typing in the product code, it says my key is not valid for the windows 10 installations available.

When I choose No Product Key to access the version selection page, Education and Pro are listed, but no Education Pro.

Was this missed, or is Pro Education no longer supported?