Last month, we reported that Microsoft is replacing Windows 10 S with a new S Mode in Windows 10 that’s going to be available across almost all the different Windows 10 SKUs.
Today, Microsoft’s Joe Belfiore confirmed the change on Twitter, originally reported by PC World. Belfiore says the new S Mode in Windows 10 will be available next year as a “mode” for existing Windows 10 SKUs instead of a completely separate SKU.
Sign up for our new free newsletter to get three time-saving tips each Friday — and get free copies of Paul Thurrott's Windows 11 and Windows 10 Field Guides (normally $9.99) as a special welcome gift!
"*" indicates required fields
We use Win10S as an option for schools or businesses that want the ‘low-hassle’/ guaranteed performance version. Next year 10S will be a “mode” of existing versions, not a distinct version. SO … I think it’s totally fine/good that it’s not mentioned.
— Joe Belfiore (@joebelfiore) March 7, 2018
Once the new S Mode in Windows 10 is available, Microsoft and its OEM partners will be selling devices that come with the S Mode enabled out of the box. And to access all the features of the OS and get the full version, users would have to pay $49 to upgrade if they are running Windows 10 Pro.
Microsoft has been positioning Windows 10 S as a more secure version of the OS as it prevents users from downloading applications outside of the Microsoft Store. But once the new S Mode launches, it could create a lot of confusion amongst regular consumers who expect to get the full version of the OS when buying a new device. Unless the new mode is advertised appropriately on devices that come with it enabled out of the box, Microsoft could face a ton of backlash from users who are asked to pay to upgrade.
dontbe evil
<blockquote><a href="#251024"><em>In reply to ghostrider:</em></a></blockquote><p><br></p><p>or you need to make it more secure, and easy to comply to the company/school policy/rules?</p><p><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); background-color: transparent;"> </span></p><p>yeah i know it's hard to understand for you</p><p><br></p>
dontbe evil
<blockquote><a href="#251039"><em>In reply to curtisspendlove:</em></a></blockquote><p><br></p><p>that's why they have to understand that they're not alone in the world, and not everybody use windows like them (for different reasons)</p>
skane2600
<blockquote><a href="#251039"><em>In reply to curtisspendlove:</em></a></blockquote><p>Many people can get by with a phone but a lot of those people were never going to use a computer outside of work in the first place. </p>
skane2600
<blockquote><a href="#251144"><em>In reply to Winner:</em></a></blockquote><p>To the extent this is true, it's the worst possible scenario. If your turn-around is slow you might just as well do the job right the first time. </p><p><br></p><p>In any case, the urgency is more in the minds of the companies than the minds of their users. Of course companies like Facebook and Twitter aren't making changes to improve the user experience but rather to maximize revenue.</p>
skane2600
<p>The rollout is still a little murky. What are they going to call the OS in these computers? "The OS formerly known as Windows 10S"? Will there be some Windows 10 PCs that aren't shipped in "10S mode"? If so, what will they call those? Are they going to differentiate the Intel-based OS from the ARM-based OS? It sounds like a big confusing self-inflicted mess. </p>
skane2600
<blockquote><a href="#251649"><em>In reply to JG1170:</em></a></blockquote><p>We can't assume they will do it "right" as you see it. No matter how you look at it Microsoft is following the Windows 8 strategy of making breaking changes to Windows with a disregard for their customers. At least in the case of Windows 8 they could speculate that users would like it, but in this case the market has rejected Windows 10 S so they should have no illusions about customer demand.</p>