With the Windows Store Maturing, Windows 10 S is Almost Ready For Me (Premium)

Microsoft has a bold vision of moving desktop users to a world that revovles around the Windows Store and if you are not paying close attention, the company's goal of a future free of classic desktop applications is quietly materializing. With a few key additions over the last few weeks, I am close to being able to use Windows 10 S as my daily driver.

It was about two weeks ago that I started using Windows 10 S on my Surface Pro. Initially, as part of First Ring Daily and as I began to live in a 'store only' world, I was finding myself using the OS more frequently as the app store expanded.

Last week is what pushed me over the edge (no, not that Edge) with the store, ShareX has arrived. I know this may seem simple but this powerful screenshot app is a critical part of my workflow and now that it is in the store, there is only one app left that's holding me back.

Adobe's Premier Elements is what I used to edit video, although I am contemplating switching to DaVinci Resolve, is not in the store. But, Adobe Photoshop Elements is in the store, which gives me hope that one day in the near future, Premier Elements will finally be available as well.

But what I am also waiting on is Story Remix too. Most of my video edits are relatively simple and I could see myself using that app for quick edits when the fully featured app does arrive and jumping to my desktop for more extensive editing which I will not transition to 10 S. Unfortunately, we don't know when that app will be available as it looks like everything shown off at Build this year will not be available at launch which is a bit disappointing and further cements my need for Premier Elements to be in the store.

The other big challenge with Windows 10 S is that Chrome is not available. But, I can say that Edge has been making steady and solid improvements with each release and is becoming more usable as a daily browser. While I'd still prefer that it be a true store app and be updated more frequently, the twice pre-year updates for the browser is helping it close the gap with Chrome.

If Chrome were to ever come to the app store, and I'm not holding my breath, then I would use that browser as it is available everywhere, including iOS, which gives it an advantage over Edge.

With Windows 10 S and the app store becoming a real possibility as a daily driver, thanks to the many bridges that Microsoft has built to port apps to the store, it is becoming a viable option for some users. What I will be watching for closely is to see how ARM devices, arriving later this year, will incorporate Windows 10 S to see if that combination of hardware and software becomes a common theme.

Even though I am happy with the progression of the Windows Store and Windows 10 S, the problem for me is that Windows 10 S doesn't offer enough compelling reasons to give up on Win32. Microsoft pitches that Windows 10 S has improved performance over its lifecycle but for most users, this isnt a problem un...