Microsoft Ends Windows 10 S as Standalone Product, Integrates With Ecosystem

Raevenlord · Feb 5, 2018

Well, that didn't take long. Microsoft's Windows 10 S push as a "lite, free" version of its Windows 10 OS that would be available for education environments free of charge has been thoroughly abandoned as a standalone product. instead, Microsoft is now looking to integrate it into existing Windows 10 versions (Home and Pro) as a sort of sleeping, to-be-activated "S Mode" which has access to updates, but only has the same features as Windows 10 S currently does - the most important, limiting of which is that the OS only runs UWP (Universal windows Platform) apps. Thus, this mode will basically limit the Operating System to a version which, according to Microsoft, enables better security and a more friendly environment for the typical usage scenarios of such lite operating systems.

Naturally, Microsoft will still offer users the chance to upgrade to full Windows versions within S Mode - at a price. Moving from Windows 10 Home S to regular Windows Home will be free, but Pro S users who want to switch to the full version of Windows 10 Pro will have to pay $49. There will be Pro S commercial versions for Value, Entry, and Small Tablet models, but not Core+ and Workstations. There has been no official word from Microsoft on these software changes, though these will likely take place on the next partner pricing change announcement hailing form the Redmond company.

View at TechPowerUp Main Site

natr0n · Feb 5, 2018

Windows S is walledgarden mode.

jateruy · Feb 5, 2018

After all, they better not start quietly downgrading the current Pro owners to Pro S and ask for 49.

TheOne · Feb 5, 2018

I'm personally curious as to what they intend to do with the rumored Polaris build.

eidairaman1 · Feb 5, 2018

Just drop the S and just have Home Edition for schools

Pjokerxp_ · Feb 5, 2018

MicroShet is trying to monoply the ecosystem. so no Win32 cant be run on Windows S only Crappy UWP from window store
FAIL

SteamOS HELP US!

eidairaman1 · Feb 5, 2018

Pjokerxp_ said:
MicroShet is trying to monoply the ecosystem. so no Win32 cant be run on Windows S only Crappy UWP from window store
FAIL

SteamOS HELP US!

Good luck fighting a defacto os. Any unix/linux based os need wine to run majority of programs out there, which just add overhead to the os.

Pjokerxp_ · Feb 6, 2018

eidairaman1 said:
Good luck fighting a defacto os. Any unix/linux based os need wine to run majority of programs out there, which just add overhead to the os.

well, i guess this is my OS now

https://www.pcworld.com/article/325...g-windows-10-s-default-with-new-versions.html
Windows 10 S only allows UWP apps to be loaded from the Windows Store, locking out traditional Win32 .EXE files. (Thurrott.com noted, however, that these versions of Windows 10 S will apparently support third-party antivirus software, which traditionally runs as legacy .EXE versions.)

StrayKAT · Feb 6, 2018

eidairaman1 said:
Just drop the S and just have Home Edition for schools

Kinda defeats the purpose. It was meant to be have only apps that were easily and remotely adminstered.

I'm not sure why any naysayers jumped in this thread... for the above reasons. It's mostly for kids and schools. They'd never use it to begin with. SteamOS? This is competing with Chromebooks.

FordGT90Concept · Feb 6, 2018

It makes sense though. They recuperate money for the OS via sales on the Windows Store.

Basically tablety Windows is free. Full function Windows is not. I don't have a problem with that.

lexluthermiester · Feb 6, 2018

eidairaman1 said:
Good luck fighting a defacto os.

Right? Microsoft has an uphill battle on their hands with Android.

eidairaman1 said:
Any unix/linux based os need wine to run majority of programs out there, which just add overhead to the os.

WINE doesn't add much(if any) overhead. I've actually bench tested programs and games in native Windows Vs WINE and the difference is minimal.

bug · Feb 6, 2018

Yet another proof of user's love for UWP

FordGT90Concept · Feb 6, 2018

If all you do is internet, Windows 10 S is sufficient. In fact, I know someone who Windows 10 S is perfect for. It would grant her the added security of being unable to run Win32 applications (because it's a liability more than a feature for her usage patterns) while still being able to do what she uses her computer for via the UWP Edge app.

I doubt anyone on this forum would willingly choose Windows 10 S over Windows 10 because we're power users but there are users out there that would be perfectly happy with Windows 10 S.

blobster21 · Feb 6, 2018

Since when did educational environment imply zero freedom outside the mandatory UWP apps ?

This disgrace of an OS was bound to dissapear quickly, who in his right mind would ever consider Windows 10 S anyway ? for preschoolers maybe....

TheOne · Feb 6, 2018

http://www.guru3d.com/news-story/five-more-editions-are-coming-to-windows-10.html

Franzen4Real · Feb 7, 2018

Pjokerxp_ said:
well, i guess this is my OS now.

Looks like you simply chose the wrong version of Windows. Maybe educate yourself on a products use cases and intended market before you commit to it. Or, just unlock the full Win10 Home for free

System Name	The Ryzening
Processor	AMD Ryzen 9 5900X
Motherboard	MSI X570 MAG TOMAHAWK
Cooling	Lian Li Galahad 360mm AIO
Memory	32 GB G.Skill Trident Z F4-3733 (4x 8 GB)
Video Card(s)	Gigabyte RTX 3070 Ti
Storage	Boot: Transcend MTE220S 2TB, Kintson A2000 1TB, Seagate Firewolf Pro 14 TB
Display(s)	Acer Nitro VG270UP (1440p 144 Hz IPS)
Case	Lian Li O11DX Dynamic White
Audio Device(s)	iFi Audio Zen DAC
Power Supply	Seasonic Focus+ 750 W
Mouse	Cooler Master Masterkeys Lite L
Keyboard	Cooler Master Masterkeys Lite L
Software	Windows 10 x64

System Name	natr0n-PC
Processor	Ryzen 5950x/5600x
Motherboard	B450 AORUS M
Cooling	EK AIO 360 - 6 fan action
Memory	Patriot - Viper Steel DDR4 (B-Die)(4x8GB)
Video Card(s)	EVGA 3070ti FTW
Storage	Various
Display(s)	PIXIO IPS 240Hz 1080P
Case	Thermaltake Level 20 VT
Audio Device(s)	LOXJIE D10 + Kinter Amp + 6 Bookshelf Speakers Sony+JVC+Sony
Power Supply	Super Flower Leadex III ARGB 80+ Gold 650W
Software	XP/7/8.1/10
Benchmark Scores	http://valid.x86.fr/79kuh6

System Name	Desktop
Processor	AMD Ryzen 5 5600X [3.7GHz/4.6GHz][6C/12T]
Motherboard	ASUS TUF Gaming X570-PRO [X570]
Cooling	Cooler Master Hyper 212 RGB Black Edition
Memory	G.SKILL Ripjaws V Series 32GB [DDR4 3600][2x16GB][16-19-19-39@1.35V]
Video Card(s)	ASUS KO GeForce RTX 3060 Ti V2 OC Edition 8GB GDDR6 [511.65]
Storage	[OS] Samsung 970 Evo 500GB \| [Storage] 980 1TB \| 860 Evo 1TB \| 850 Evo 500GB \| Seagate Firecuda 2TB
Display(s)	LG 27GL850 [27"][2560x1440@144Hz][Nano IPS][LED][G-SYNC Compatible][DP]
Case	Corsair Obsidian 750D
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Power Supply	EVGA SuperNOVA 1000 G1+ [+12V: 83.3A 999.6W][80 Plus Gold]
Mouse	Logitech M570 Trackball
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Keyboard	Roccat Ryos MK Pro
Software	Windows 7 Pro 64

System Name	PCGOD
Processor	AMD FX 8350@ 5.0GHz
Motherboard	Asus TUF 990FX Sabertooth R2 2901 Bios
Cooling	Scythe Ashura, 2×BitFenix 230mm Spectre Pro LED (Blue,Green), 2x BitFenix 140mm Spectre Pro LED
Memory	16 GB Gskill Ripjaws X 2133 (2400 OC, 10-10-12-20-20, 1T, 1.65V)
Video Card(s)	AMD Radeon 290 Sapphire Vapor-X
Storage	Samsung 840 Pro 256GB, WD Velociraptor 1TB
Display(s)	NEC Multisync LCD 1700V (Display Port Adapter)
Case	AeroCool Xpredator Evil Blue Edition
Audio Device(s)	Creative Labs Sound Blaster ZxR
Power Supply	Seasonic 1250 XM2 Series (XP3)
Mouse	Roccat Kone XTD
Keyboard	Roccat Ryos MK Pro
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Microsoft Ends Windows 10 S as Standalone Product, Integrates With Ecosystem

Raevenlord

News Editor

natr0n

jateruy

TheOne

eidairaman1

The Exiled Airman

Pjokerxp_

eidairaman1

The Exiled Airman

Pjokerxp_

StrayKAT

FordGT90Concept

"I go fast!1!11!1!"

lexluthermiester

bug

FordGT90Concept

"I go fast!1!11!1!"

blobster21

TheOne

Franzen4Real

System Name	Grunt
Processor	Ryzen 5800x
Motherboard	Gigabyte x570 Gaming X
Cooling	Noctua NH-U12A
Memory	Corsair LPX 3600 4x8GB
Video Card(s)	Gigabyte 6800 XT (reference)
Storage	Samsung 980 Pro 2TB
Display(s)	Samsung CFG70, Samsung NU8000 TV
Case	Corsair C70
Power Supply	Corsair HX750
Software	Win 10 Pro

System Name	BY-2021
Processor	AMD Ryzen 7 5800X (65w eco profile)
Motherboard	MSI B550 Gaming Plus
Cooling	Scythe Mugen (rev 5)
Memory	2 x Kingston HyperX DDR4-3200 32 GiB
Video Card(s)	AMD Radeon RX 7900 XT
Storage	Samsung 980 Pro, Seagate Exos X20 TB 7200 RPM
Display(s)	Nixeus NX-EDG274K (3840x2160@144 DP) + Samsung SyncMaster 906BW (1440x900@60 HDMI-DVI)
Case	Coolermaster HAF 932 w/ USB 3.0 5.25" bay + USB 3.2 (A+C) 3.5" bay
Audio Device(s)	Realtek ALC1150, Micca OriGen+
Power Supply	Enermax Platimax 850w
Mouse	Nixeus REVEL-X
Keyboard	Tesoro Excalibur
Software	Windows 10 Home 64-bit
Benchmark Scores	Faster than the tortoise; slower than the hare.

Processor	Intel i5-12600k
Motherboard	Asus H670 TUF
Cooling	Arctic Freezer 34
Memory	2x16GB DDR4 3600 G.Skill Ripjaws V
Video Card(s)	EVGA GTX 1060 SC
Storage	500GB Samsung 970 EVO, 500GB Samsung 850 EVO, 1TB Crucial MX300 and 2TB Crucial MX500
Display(s)	Dell U3219Q + HP ZR24w
Case	Raijintek Thetis
Audio Device(s)	Audioquest Dragonfly Red :D
Power Supply	Seasonic 620W M12
Mouse	Logitech G502 Proteus Core
Keyboard	G.Skill KM780R
Software	Arch Linux + Win10

System Name	Desktop / "Console"
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Cooling	EK AIO Elite 280 / Cryorig C1
Memory	32GB Gskill Trident DDR4-3600 CL16 / 16GB Crucial Ballistix DDR4-3600 CL16
Video Card(s)	RTX 4090 FE / RTX 2080ti FE
Storage	1TB Samsung 980 Pro, 1TB Sabrent Rocket 4 Plus NVME / 1TB Sabrent Rocket 4 NVME, 1TB Intel 660P
Display(s)	Alienware AW3423DW / LG 65CX Oled
Case	Lian Li O11 Mini / Sliger CL530 Conswole
Audio Device(s)	Sony AVR, SVS speakers & subs / Marantz AVR, SVS speakers & subs
Power Supply	ROG Loki 1000 / Silverstone SX800
VR HMD	Quest 3