Windows 10 IoT Core (Internet of Things) doesn't get as much recognition as it deserves, especially when used with a Raspberry Pi. That doesn't mean there aren't lots of cool projects though.

Here are some interesting things you can do with a Raspberry Pi and Windows 10 IoT Core.

What Can You Do With Windows 10 IoT Core?

Windows 10 IoT Core is a version of Windows optimized for smaller devices. Designed for Internet of Things projects, It works very well on ARM devices, so the Raspberry Pi is a perfect fit---but why would you choose it over Linux?

As good as the Raspberry Pi is, it's limited in what programs it can run. Linux packages and Python scripts work fine, as do some C/C++ programs once compiled for the Pi. However, software packages written for the Windows ecosystem will never run on the Pi.

If you want to run a huge variety of specific windows apps, then Windows 10 IoT is a good choice. If you want to build a DIY magic mirror or simple Python script, then Windows 10 IoT is overkill.

Windows 10 IoT is a great choice for a Windows developer, or business that has a large back-catalog of Windows applications, but for the everyday consumer, it's not the best choice.

Management of Windows 10 IoT is through the web, and you need a Windows 10 PC to even install it, so it is dependant on a Windows environment from the start.

If you'd like to know more about the specific installation details, how to install Windows 10 IoT on a Raspberry Pi covers everything you need to know. Once you've done this, here are some projects you can build with a Raspberry Pi and Windows 10 IoT.

1. Cortana Home Assistant

This excellent tutorial from YouTube channel Geek Till It Hertz shows you how to build your own Cortana assistant using Windows 10 IoT core on the Raspberry Pi. The video covers how to install Windows 10, so if you've done that already, you can get this project going in less than 10 minutes.

2. Raspberry Pi Vehicle

In the first of a two-part tutorial, this autonomous vehicle project comes from the Windows IoT YouTube channel. This cool car can even be controlled with a video game controller.

3. Closed-Loop Wheel Control

This closed-loop wheel control also comes from the Windows IoT YouTube channel. Closed loop systems are those that watch the status of things like motors, and can react to changes such as slippage or loss of traction.

While this demo system serves no real purpose, its uses are perfect when building something like a remote-controlled car.

4. Custom Visual Studio Apps

The Pi Tutorial from YouTuber The Sleepy Penguin shows you how to create your own Windows 10 IoT apps using Microsoft Visual Studio. It covers everything you need to know to get started, including deploying to the Pi.

5. LCD1602 Output

windows 10 iot core and raspberry pi project ideas
Image Credit: Zhang Yuexin/Microsoft

Developed by Zhang Yuexin, it's possible to complete this project in 30 minutes. The clear and simple instructions show you how to connect and program an LCD display using a Raspberry Pi, Visual Studio, Windows 10 IoT Core, and a 16x2 LCD panel.

You'll need a breadboard for this project, so make sure you read up on what is a breadboard!

6. Internet-Controlled Light

windows 10 iot core and raspberry pi project ideas
Image Credit: Edi Wang/Microsoft

This advanced project by Microsoft creator Edi Wang uses the Microsoft Azure cloud service to control an LED over the internet. Once you've got the hang of the basics, you could then branch out into controlling ever more complex hardware.

Although this project takes around five hours to complete, the excellent written instructions cover everything you need to know.

7. PiTFT Touchscreen

windows 10 iot core and raspberry pi project ideas
Image Credit: Team Windows IoT/Microsoft

Team Windows IoT produced this project, and you can replicate it in under an hour. It uses the Adafruit PiTFT touchscreen, and covers everything you need to know---including configuration of the required Windows drivers.

8. Raspberry Pi FEZ Hat

windows 10 iot core and raspberry pi project ideas
Image Credit: Stepan Bechynsky

The FEZ Hat contains many sensors, LEDs, and buttons, and provides an easy way to connect devices to the Pi without any soldering. Stepan Bechynsky's tutorial shows how to link the Pi and FEZ hat using Windows 10 IoT, and the Azure cloud computing platform.

9. Raspberry Pi Breathalyzer

This cool project by creators Team Devices for Windows IoT uses an MQ2 alcohol sensor.

It also uses an optional TFT display, and details every step required in clear and easy to read steps. While this is a novelty project, it explains how to calculate the Blood Alcohol Content reading, which is a common legal metric for alcohol intoxication.

Once again, this project uses the Azure cloud platform to store data for inspection at a later date.

10. Heart Rate Tracker

windows 10 iot core and raspberry pi project ideas
Image Credit: Artist/PlaceIt

Developed by Mohamed Emam, this project uses a cheap heart rate pulse sensor to measure your heart rate and takes one hour to produce. It uses an analog to digital converter, to convert the analog sensor readings to a digital signal.

You could use some of the previous projects to log your heart data to a cloud service---studying the long-term trends of your heart rate would yield some fascinating results.

What Will You Make With Windows 10 IoT Core?

Whether you're a fan of Microsoft Windows 10 IoT Core or not, these Raspberry Pi projects show that there's no limit to the inventions you can create. Many of these projects log data to the cloud, which appears to be easier to perform than in most other Raspberry Pi projects developed in Linux.

Of course, Raspbian and other Raspberry Pi operating systems are so popular that they are most likely the better choice for many simpler projects. But if you're a Windows Developer, Windows 10 IoT Core makes things a lot easier for you.

If you're wondering why so many of these projects use the Azure cloud platform, this is one of the leading Big Data cloud services. Microsoft owns it, so consider reading up on everything you need to know about Big Data. And for more, check out some micro:bit accessories to kickstart your next project.