Best Windows 10 Version for Gaming - Which To Choose?
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Wondering what’s the best Windows 10 version for gaming? Despite Microsoft’s strong push towards Windows 11, a lot of users still stick to Windows, including the majority of gamers. Below, I’ll explain the reasons for it along with the best OS version for gaming!
Best Windows 10 Version for Gaming
Interestingly, the main reason for preferring Windows 10 over Windows 11 is that Windows 10 has a 32-bit version and a 64-bit version. Windows 11 can only work on 64-bit systems.
Still, Windows 11 performs slightly better for gaming in comparison to Windows 10 but only if you have the specs for it. While the upgrade is free, the system requirements are much higher for Windows 11.
You’ll have to consider various factors like the cost, the efficiency of your computer, the games you play, and the previous OS installed on your system.
Windows 10 Pro vs Home
From a gaming perspective, using Windows 10 Pro or Home doesn’t make a big difference. The Home version will be cheaper. Additionally, the surplus software products in Windows 10 Pro may be unnecessary for gamers.
Windows 10 Home for Gaming
Windows 10 Home has all the basic features required for gaming. This includes the Game Bar, Game Mode, and Graphics of your choice. Still, the graphics are of primary importance.
Gamers usually buy a separate graphics card with a graphics suite for gaming. But even without a dedicated graphics card, there’s no difference between the Home and Pro versions.
Pros:
- Cheaper
- Lower system requirements
- No unnecessary software (from a gamer perspective)
Cons:
- The updates are delayed unless done manually
Windows 10 Pro for Gaming
Windows 10 Pro has everything Home has, but the OS is more expensive and has extra software products for professional users. It has added features like BitLocker encryption, Remote Desktop, etc. As for Hyper-V, it’s only useful if you play games through a Virtual machine.
Pros:
- The updates are quick and compulsory
Cons:
- Windows 10 Pro is expensive
- It has software products specific to professional users, not gamers
Note: I strongly discourage using Windows 10 Enterprise for gaming since this version is managed by the IT administrator of your company. Mostly, they won’t allow gaming (or maybe allow it with restrictions).
Overall, I recommend using Windows 10 64-bit for gaming. As for Windows 10 Home vs Pro, if you have yet to purchase the OS, then go for Home. You can update it to Pro later if you want to.
If you’ve already purchased Windows 10 Pro, then keep it. It won’t make much of a difference.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Does Windows version affect gaming?
No, the Windows version you’re using (Home or Pro) doesn’t really affect gaming, as long as you’re using Windows 64-bit. Even more, Windows 10 or 11 doesn’t matter much either. The impact is slight.
Is Windows 10 or 11 better for gaming?
By all parameters, Windows 11 is slightly better for gaming. Since Windows 11 is a free upgrade, you should upgrade if your computer hardware supports it.
It should be noted that support for Windows 10 will be ending in 2025.
Why gamers prefer Windows 10?
The reason gamers prefer Windows 10 is that it works well with low-end systems. Windows 10 needs 4GB of RAM and 20GB of disk space to run smoothly. While computers usually have a much higher disk space, the RAM could be an issue. However, the system requirements for Windows 11 are significantly higher. It needs at least 8GB of RAM and 64GB of system space.
What is the best lightweight Windows 10 for gaming?
The best lightweight Windows 10 version for gaming is Windows 10 LTSC 2019. It also has a lightweight option called Tiny10 which has less bloatware than the normal version.
If you want to know more about the best Windows 10 version for gaming, feel free to read the rest of the article.
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