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Windows 10 IoT: What is it & How to Use it
Learn everything you need to know about Windows 10 IoT
6 min. read
Updated onOctober 4, 2023
updated onOctober 4, 2023
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Key notes
IoT devices are everywhere, so it’s no wonder that Microsoft has its own OS called Windows 10 IoT that runs on these devices.
In case you’re not familiar,IoT boards are cheap, and they can provide all sorts of functionality to their users, as long as users are ready to configure them manually.
Today we’ll focus on Windows 10 IoT and see what it is and how it works, so be sure to keep reading.
A brief history of Windows 10 IoT
Windows 10 IoT was known in the past as Windows Embedded and has been on the market for more than 20 years.
This family of operating systems changed their name to IoT after the release of Windows 10. Windows CE, also known as Windows Embedded Compact, was used on various consumer electronics, including set-top boxes and gaming consoles.
However, it has been completely replaced by Windows 10 IoT.
What is Windows 10 IoT?
This is a version of Windows that is optimized for running on a variety of IoT devices. In case you’re not familiar, Windows has been powering ATMs, terminals, medical devices, kiosks, and other devices over the decades.
This was achieved by running a special version of Windows optimized for those kinds of devices. Various versions of Windows have done that in the past, and Windows 10 continues to do so in the form of Windows 10 IoT.
What is the difference between Windows 10 and Windows 10 IoT?
How many versions of Windows 10 IoT are there?
This version is quite similar to Windows 10 Enterprise version but comes with additional lockdown controls that help secure the device.
With this version, you have the full functionality of Windows, but the system is forced to display a single application in a kiosk mode. This version has one major drawback: it can’t work on devices that use ARM processors.
If you’re looking for a more lightweight version, there’s Windows 10 IoT Core. This version doesn’t have all the Windows features, instead, it runs the background processes and a single Universal App.
However, this version is fully compatible with ARM devices, so you can easily run it on single-board computers. Due to its simplicity, it’s perfect for smaller projects and hobbyists.
What are Windows 10 IoT hardware requirements?
SoC chips are also supported, but they need to support the following features:
If you plan to use x86 compatible CPU, it must support PAE, NX, and SSE2.
What is Windows 10 IoT used for?
Due to its advanced functionality, the Enterprise version is used for industry tablets, retail service points, kiosks, digital signage, ATMs, medical devices, manufacturing devices, and so on.
Windows 10 IoT Enterprise is used in almost all industries, including manufacturing, retail, service, medical, and many more, and it’s an integral part of our everyday lives.
Since this is a minimal version of Windows IoT, it doesn’t have the same features as the Enterprise version, so its use cases are different.
This version is used for digital signage, smart home devices, IoT gateways, human-machine interfaces, and more. As you can see, this version is aimed at tech enthusiasts that want to create their projects.
To learn more, we have a great guide on how torun Cortana on Windows 10 IoT Core.
Is Windows 10 free for IoT?
No, Windows 10 IoT isn’t free; to use it, you’ll need to obtain a license from Microsoft. It’s possible to get a 90-day evaluation copy with Visual Studio Subscription, but for continued use, you’ll need to purchase a license.
Does Windows 10 IoT have a GUI?
Yes, Windows 10 IoT has a GUI, and it’s usually configured to display a single application as soon as the device starts.
You can also use Windows 10 IoT without a display in a headless mode if you’re planning to connect to it remotely.
Overall, Windows 10 IoT is a major component of our everyday lives, and many devices we interact with daily are running on Windows 10 IoT.
If you want to familiarize yourself with this version of Windows, you might be interested in our guide on how to runWindows 10 IoT Core on Raspberry Pi.
We hope that you found this guide informative and that now you have a better understanding of how Windows 10 IoT works.
More about the topics:IoT,windows 10 iot
Milan Stanojevic
Windows Toubleshooting Expert
Milan has been enthusiastic about technology ever since his childhood days, and this led him to take interest in all PC-related technologies. He’s a PC enthusiast and he spends most of his time learning about computers and technology.
Before joining WindowsReport, he worked as a front-end web developer. Now, he’s one of the Troubleshooting experts in our worldwide team, specializing in Windows errors & software issues.
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Milan Stanojevic
Windows Toubleshooting Expert
Before joining WindowsReport, he worked as a front-end web developer. Now, he’s specialized in Windows errors & software issues.
