Should I choose Windows 10 Home or Windows 10 Professional for my company ?

This is the question that many business asking, in order to make a decision on this, we can consider from several perspective.

Price : The Windows 10 Home being retailed at RM 919 and Windows 10 Professional being priced at RM 1299 in Malaysia. In terms of pricing, it's about RM 380 different.

Features : There're definitely some different in terms of features for this two version, for example the BitLocker, Mobile Device Management, remote desktop, some security features and etc. However, most of these features is not being used by most micro businesses especially in Malaysia.

Take example for the Mobile Device Management  (MDM) feature, in order to use this feature, it might required some technical knowledge to setup for this, but most of the businesses in Malaysia doesn't have the in-house IT staff to assist on this. Apart from this, for the company which required to have MDM is normally for the businesses with many work stations , computers in the company, or else, the business with only 5-10 units of PC might not required to have this feature.

The feature that micro businesses might required might be the remote desktop, but this can be replaced by Team Viewer, AnyDesk.

Another feature, the BitLocker, is the data encryption to prevent data lost. Based on my years of observation, most of the clients is not worries so much on this. There're some of our clients required the data protection, but most of the important data is being stored in their cloud erp or cloud accounting system, or Google Drive, instead of keep locally, the important data is being kept at cloud storage.

For more information on the features, may refer to Microsoft Official Website.



Legal and Licensing : Another considerations is about the legal and licensing, there's some sources stated that the Windows 10 Home could not be used in any business premise and there's a clause stated somewhere ( which we could not find the source any more )

When the license is intended for business use (except for academic institutions), the license that is acquired preinstalled or through a full package product must be a Windows Professional version.

Currently this information is still not confirm as we have been referring to many sources but still cannot get the firm answer. To play safe, it's better for businesses to choose the Windows 10 Professional edition. If happened that BSA raid your office, you 're liable to a fine of between RM 2,000 to RM 20,000 for each infringing copy of software. Quote from a news on BSA website, 30 May 2017,

The use of software without proper licences in the course of conducting business is against the law in Malaysia. If found guilty in a court of law, the business and/or its senior management or directors are liable to a fine of between RM2,000 and RM20,000 for each infringing copy of software and/or up to five years’ jail. Concurrently, offenders may also face possible civil suits by the copyright owners.

Read more about BSA and Software compliance : https://www.bsa.org/pt/node/34656