Over the past few months, Microsoft has revealed quite a lot about the roadmap towards Windows 10 and this launch is definitely different compared to previous software releases from Microsoft. We already know that Windows 10 will be launching during the Summer and Windows 7 and 8.1 users will be able to upgrade to Windows 10 for free but the question is, what exactly are they updating to?

Today, via a blog post, Microsoft is answering just that. Behold, there will be 7 different version of Windows 10 which all bear a striking similarity in terms of features but are targeted towards various type of users. Just to remember, there were 7 unique version of Windows 7 desktop editions.

Ironically, there is not 10 version of Windows 10

Upgradeable version of Windows 10, earlier this year Microsoft promised that Windows 7, Windows 8.1 and Windows Phone 8.1 users will be able to upgrade to Windows 10 when it comes out. These three version of Windows 10 will be the versions users will be upgraded to.

Windows 10 Home (upgradeable)

This will be the consumer oriented version of Windows 10 which will power PC, tablets and everything in between. Core Windows 10 features like Cortana, Microsoft Edge browser, Windows Hello face recognition, XBOX game capture and all the Universal applications will be made available in this version.

Windows 10 Pro (upgradeable) 

Similar to Windows 8.1 Pro, Windows 10 Pro is built upon the vanilla version of Windows 10 Home and introduces features which enables small businesses to mange, protect and support their applications. Organizations will be able to take advantage of the Choose Your Own Device program for secure device management. Customers will also be able to take advantage of the new Windows Update for business.

Windows 10 Mobile (upgradeable)

As the name clearly suggests, this is the successor to Windows Phone and the name reminds us about Microsoft's history with Mobile devices. Basically, this version of Windows 10 is geared up towards smartphones and small tablets and the UI is geared towards touch gestures. Likewise, select devices will be able to take advantage of Continuum for phones which instantly makes your smartphone into a working Desktop.

Windows 10 Enterprise

Building upon Windows 10 Pro, the Enterprise version of Windows 10 adds advanced features which enable medium and large organizations to protect against security threats. Windows 10 Enterprise also supports the broadest range of options for operating system deployment and comprehensive device and app management. It will be available to our Volume Licensing customers, so they can take advantage of the latest innovation and security updates on an ongoing basis.

Windows 10 Education

This version is similar to that of Windows 10 Enterprise but is geared towards use in educational institutions to server staff, administrators, teachers and students. Microsoft will be making this available through the academic volume licensing and also enable students to upgrade to Windows 10 Education through Windows 10 Home and Windows 10 Pro.

Windows 10 Mobile Enterprise

This version is designed to deliver the best customer experience to business customers on smartphones and small tablets. It will be available to our Volume Licensing customers. It offers the great productivity, security and mobile device management capabilities that Windows 10 Mobile provides, and adds flexible ways for businesses to manage updates. In addition, Windows 10 Mobile Enterprise will incorporate the latest security and innovation features as soon as they are available.

Windows 10 IoT Core

This version of Windows 10 is targeted towards small footprint and low cost devices like gateways. Devices like the Raspberry Pi and Arduino will be able to take advantage of this Windows 10 platform.

That's about it for the 7 version of Windows 10 Microsoft will be making available later this year. It might sound a little complicated but each version is specifically targeted towards a specific device-type.

SOURCE: WINDOWS BLOG