Windows 10 S
Microsoft has released yet another version of its operating system
What is it?
A new version of Windows 10 that can only run apps installed from the Windows Store, which means you won’t be able to download many popular programs. For example, Chrome and Photoshop will be off limits because neither is available through the Windows Store – at least, not yet.
Remind me again - what’s the difference between apps and programs?
Windows Store apps have been designed to work on touchscreen computers, as well as PCS operated by a mouse and keyboard. Programs only work with the latter. This affects the design of both. Buttons in apps are larger, and more spaced out, to better suit finger taps. But they usually lack right-click options, and have fewer features than programs.
Are Office apps available?
Yes, preview versions of Word, Excel and Powerpoint should be available by the time you read this. You can also find apps for Netflix, Kodi, Dropbox and VLC. But hundreds of ‘boring but useful’ programs that provide ways to tweak Windows will never make their way to the Store.
So is Windows 10 S a proper operating system?
Well, it’s best seen as a lightweight alternative to Windows 10 Home, or perhaps Microsoft’s equivalent of Google’s Chrome OS, which doesn’t have a conventional desktop. Instead of downloading programs, you add web tools to Chrome. Windows 10 S does have a desktop, but you can’t download programs to it.
So why would I use it?
Because it boots 15 seconds faster than a PC running Windows 10 Pro, Microsoft claims, and will perform “as well as it does on day one as it does on day 1,000”, partly because there won’t be lots of programs clogging it up. Also, it could be much safer than the existing version of Windows 10, which is where the ‘S’ comes in.
Ah yes, what does it stand for?
Nothing, officially. But Microsoft has said that the operating system has been “streamlined for security and superior performance”, which could be an alliterative clue. Microsoft approves all the apps in its store, making sure they are safe. They shouldn’t contain any of the annoying junk that comes with software installed from the internet. But when you do browse the web, you’ll be limited to using Microsoft Edge.
Why’s that?
Because Chrome, Opera and Firefox aren’t available as Windows apps. Also, any searching in your browser bar will show results in Bing, Microsoft’s search engine, not Google. To use Google, you’ll need to type www.google.co.uk, or bookmark it.
Is Windows 10 S free?
Yes, but you’ll need to buy a new laptop containing it. Microsoft will try to tempt you with its new Surface model ( www.snipca.com/24393, pictured), which starts at a whopping £979. Students can get it cheaper (£881).
Why the different prices?
It’s Microsoft’s long-term ambition to get schools and universities swapping from Macbooks and Chromebooks to Windows 10 S. The company says that the operating system has been “inspired” by what students and teachers want from a laptop – long battery life, speedy performance and risk-free downloading.
But isn’t that what everyone wants?
Yes, and soon Dell, HP, Asus and Samsung will be releasing laptops that are more affordable (around £300). If you buy one, but find you don’t like Windows 10 S, you can upgrade to Windows 10 Pro for free, until the end of 2017.