Microsoft will abandon Windows 10 S in favor of S Mode

Microsoft was going to bury Windows 10 S as a separate operating system and replace it with the new S Mode. This is reported by the resource Thurrott with reference to the company's internal documents, although the first hints were still in the January assemblies of the OS for insiders.

What about Windows 10 S?

This is a special version of Windows 10 with a focus on security and speed. In the operating system, you can install only applications and games from the Microsoft Store. The consequence of this restriction was the default Microsoft Edge browser and Bing search (at the system level) that can not be replaced.

Unsurprisingly, 40% of Windows 10 S users are almost immediately upgraded to Windows 10 Pro, and 60% of "defectors" do it within the first 24 hours. True, Microsoft's official statistics take into account only inexpensive devices of partners, and as is the case with Surface Laptop - it is not known.

What will happen now?

Changes affect only new devices with a preinstalled operating system. Like Windows 10 S, S Mode restricts the choice of available software by the official store. The manufacturer can activate it on the device or leave it as it is. In other words, a mass transition to the "cut-down" version is not expected.

In Windows 10 Home and the release for educational institutions, Microsoft will allow you to turn off the S-mode for free, and only after switching to a full-fledged Windows 10 Pro you will have to pay $ 49. Information about the return to S Mode yet. In the case of Windows 10 S, updating to the normal version is irreversible.

Perhaps, in this way, Microsoft creates the foundation for the modular operating system Windows Core.

Source: Thurrott