Windows 10 S was the version of Windows that was Streamlined for security and superior performance (as Microsoft said) but there is a huge catch. The users were allowed to use apps that are available only in the Microsoft Store. That wouldn’t have been a bad thing if the Microsoft Store had all the apps a user needed. But it doesn’t, last time I checked. This doesn’t necessarily mean that Windows 10 S is bad, also it isn’t. Windows 10 S is the fastest and most secure version of Windows 10. It is just not aimed at the professional PC users. It is targeted at the Education sector which is more or less dominated by Chrome Books and Macbooks.
When Microsoft launched Windows 10 S they gave an option to the users to upgrade to Windows 10 Pro for free for a limited time, after which they had to pay 49$ to do the same. So the users were given a choice. A choice that they had to decide fast. Windows 10 S didn’t do well in the market and some reports pointed out that Windows 10 S is dead. But the truth is Windows 10 is nowhere near dead, it is only going to get more popular.
The reason is that Microsoft now offers Windows 10 S with a lifetime free upgrade to Windows 10 Home. Earlier Windows 10 S was a separate version of Windows just like Windows 10 Home and Windows 10 Pro. But now Microsoft has made Windows 10 S as a layer on top of Windows 10 Home or Windows 10 Pro. So now Windows 10 S is not a separate version of Windows.
This makes it easier for manufacturers as they are given the option to install a full version of Windows and still ship with Windows 10 S. The final decision to use Windows 10 S or a full version of Windows rests in the hands of the users. This doesn’t mean that all manufacturers will ship their devices with Windows 10 S. But it means that Windows 10 S will get more reach since more manufacturers will ship their laptops with Windows 10 S.
Although Microsoft wants OEMs to ship their devices with Windows 10 S most manufacturers will ship with a full version of Windows. But we expect budget devices to ship with Windows 10 S as Microsoft Store apps will not slow down budget devices like Win32 apps would.
With Windows 10 S providing a free update to Windows 10 Home, we hope to see more manufacturers shipping their devices with Windows 10 S this year.
