Windows 10 S is basically a stripped down version of Windows 10 Pro designed with educators and students in mind. While it’s easiest to think of what the operating system doesn’t let you do (like installing apps from sources other than the Windows Store or changing the default web browser), it also has a bunch […]
Windows Insider Preview updates: Windows 10 S joins the program, Redstone 4 previews coming soon
Another week, another preview build of Windows 10 pushed out to members of the Windows Insider Preview program. But there are a few noteworthy things about Build 16273. At first glance, this update looks kind of boring: there are a bunch of bug fixes but no major new features. The reason is the interesting part: […]
Asus launches VivoBook W202 notebook with Windows 10 S (or Home… or Pro)
Windows 10 S is kind of Microsoft’s answer to Google’s Chrome OS: it’s a light-weight operating system that can run on entry-level or high-end hardware that puts an emphasis on security and ease-of-use rather than support for the widest possible range of third-party applications. One key difference between Windows 10 S and Chrome OS? You […]
Lenovo launches the first low-cost Windows 10 S laptops
Microsoft’s $999 Surface Laptop isn’t the only computer that ships with Windows 10 S anymore. Lenovo is now offering the N23 convertible laptop with an 11.6 inch touchscreen display and Windows 10 S for $279 and up. And the Lenovo N24 convertible with Windows 10 S is now available for $309 and up. Microsoft says […]
Windows 10 S may be more secure, but it’s still hackable
This probably shouldn’t come as a surprise, but Windows 10 S can be hacked. ZDNet asked security researcher Matthew Hickey if he could install ransomware on a Microsoft Surface Laptop running Windows 10 S with all the latest security patches installed, and it only took him about three hours to find a way to do […]
A few more things Windows 10 S can’t do
Windows 10 S is a streamlined version of Windows that only runs apps downloaded from the Windows Store. Microsoft says the operating system was designed with the education market in mind, where it will compete with Google’s Chrome OS (which is popular due to a combination of performance, security, management features and the relatively low […]
Switching from Windows 10 S to Pro isn’t totally one-way after all
Microsoft’s Windows 10 S operating system has many of the features available in Windows 10 Pro. But Microsoft says Windows 10 S offers tighter security, better battery life, and simpler management tools for educators or businesses working with a large group of computers. On the other hand, Windows 10 S can only run apps downloaded […]
Microsoft Office is now available from the Windows Store (for Surface Laptop users)
As promised, Microsoft has brought its Office suite of applications to the Windows Store. You can now get the full versions of Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, and other applications through Microsoft’s app store… but there’s one small catch. Right now you can only do that if you have a Surface Laptop running Windows 10 S. […]
Computex: Windows 10 S notebooks from Asus, Acer, Dell, Fujitsu, and HP on display
Some of the first laptops expected to ship with Microsoft’s stripped-down version of Windows are on display at the Computex show in Taiwan this week. Tech blogger Roland Quandt spotted at least 5 different notebooks running Windows 10 S. For the most part, these look like budget laptops, which makes sense, since developed Windows 10 […]
Not all Windows Store apps will run on Windows 10 S (No Linux distros, for example)
Windows 10 S is a streamlined version of Microsoft’s desktop operating system that, among other things, can only run apps downloaded from the Windows Store. That makes Windows 10 S faster and more secure than Windows 10 Home or Pro in some situations, but it also means you may have trouble installing drivers for third-party […]
Chrome and Firefox won’t run on Windows 10 S (unless something changes)
One of the key differences between Windows 10 S and other versions of Microsoft’s desktop operating system is that Windows 10 S can only run apps downloaded from the Windows Store. Theoretically that allows for better performance, battery efficiency, and security… but it also means that millions of Windows programs that aren’t in the Store won’t […]
Differences between Windows 10 S, Home, Pro, Enterprise, and Education
This week Microsoft introduced a new version of Windows 10 which is designed for education, but available to anyone willing to try an operating system that’s a bit more locked down in exchange for the promise of better performance and security. Windows 10 S can only run apps downloaded from the Windows Store, which limits the […]