As a counter argument to show why Win 10S is going to still result in epic levels of rage if made available to general consumers I've searched the Windows Store for what are probably the two most frequently downloaded free 3rd party windows applications. In both cases the application is nowhere to be found but there are dozens of for pay crapplications trying to scam the unwary out of a few bucks.
There's nothing stopping Google and Mozilla from using Centennial aka Desktop Bridge to repackage their Win32 programs as UWP apps. So... yeah. If Google and Mozilla want those users, they can do it.
Apparently they're targeting the education market with a locked down equivalent of ChromeOS. That's fine but I wouldn't make the hardware available for general consumers precisely because users will get hopping mad when they find out the Windows app store is a howling wasteland.
It's actually a Good Thing (tm) there are so many "crapplications", as it makes it that much more obvious they're not the real thing. If it were just one, I'd be scared.
DanNeely> I agree, the ubiquity of "crappications" as you put it is a very serious problem in the Windows store. There needs to be a system that filters out this garbage and cleans existing apps from out of the store. I gave the W10 apps store an honest try to see what I could find and it was disgusting!
Some people think that Windows 10 will become subscription. Now after seeing this, that won't happen. Here is what might happen, all consumer systems will come with Win10S, good enough for most, but if you want to install other apps not in the Store, you will need to pay probably $100 or so for the privilege. Maybe Microsoft will get rid of data mining if you pay even more. As for current Windows 10 systems, they might roll out an update to push your installation back to something like Win10S, and you will need to pay to keep using your non store apps.
" Here is what might happen, all consumer systems will come with Win10S, good enough for most, but if you want to install other apps not in the Store, you will need to pay probably $100 or so for the privilege."
They could definitely do that for their Surface line, but Microsoft can't force OEMs what OS to put in the systems and laptops they sell. So your paranoia is completely unwarranted in this case.
Yes, if consumers don't like it the OEMs will fall back on previous operating systems. It was amazing that an OEM could actually sell a downgrade to Windows 7 instead of installing Windows 8.
"all consumer systems will come with Win10S" You say that as if it's a bad thing. This is EXACTLY what the average Windows users needed; a way to stop them from f'ing up their PCs. They won't touch current installations, and no update will change that.
It's also $50 for a Pro license upgrade. Totally reasonable IMO, but totally unnecessary for most users, especially those who remotely considered a Chromebook.
Exactly. To. Ost users this will be the more secure version. To everyone else go for full win10. This is winRT done right. Very good for education and people who Are not too good with computers.
Let me know when you find a good DE with DPI scaling using your choice of videocard without sacrificing 3D performance. Or when good 3D performance and mesaGBM aren't mutually exclusive. Wait, I haven't gotten into hardware-accelerated video yet?
I was always a huge fan of RT's concept and its fool proof nature of not allowing non-tech-savvy users to mess with their PCs, and call me for help as a result. I just wished it had a wider selection of desktop optimized apps (metro seriously sucked). I'm super pleased with this release. This should wipe the floor with anything Chrome OS based. LOVE IT. I also love how you can upgrade it to Pro at any time.
I wish there's a way to dumb down Windows 10 Home (or even Pro) to Windows 10 S. The speed gains, overall simplicity, potential battery life gains and added worry-free security is exactly what's need for my Dad and Wife's laptops. All while keeping the familiarity of Windows intact.
This is so appealing on so many levels. Now if Google would stop being evil and package Chrome and a Store app; perfect.
They added the windows store only mode in creators update. You can make any window 10 installation an 's' version by turning that flag on.
It is nice because you can install a few non store apps then turn on after giving the computer to its intended user. Allowing you to have a best of both worlds experience.
Yes, I know about this option and I have set to "warn me before installing apps" myself. But I believe there's more to the S version than just that, not sure if it's hardware dependent though. That instant resume was awesome.
The problem with the locked system - one click download model is that when it goes wrong there's nothing you can do about it, there's no reversion to previous builds of software either.
If Windows 10 S can be unlocked to Windows 10 Pro just bloody ship it with Windows 10 Pro and offer an optional walled student mode. This is retarded.
It's a good marketing move sort-of force people into initially trying the new concept, and a real world test of people's acceptance of this approach. 99% of users won't bother configuring the OS to run in the walled garden, because they have no clue it does that. A more "retarded" approach would be _prompting_ the user on first login of they'd want to "dumb down" their system, in which most people would reply "hell no" out of reflex.
It's not retarded (awful word). You and I both KNOW that people won't be bothered to click options to get back to Windows S. Heck the internet told people to turn OFF UAC. Everyone runs as full admin then complains when they're infected!? That's idiotic.
I'm not against the idea of a Microsoft desktop OS without the legacy application support, but I think branding it as "Windows" would be a cause for confusion for general customers (assuming they aren't public institution only). Showing that "upgrade for only $50 today!!!" message will only antagonize the user and will result in returned laptops, as this is something people will expect to be able to do out of the box. Call it something else, SurfaceOS, wOS, whatever that *clearly* indicate the difference in what it's capable of.
Sure, and I do hope that the Desktop Bridge will help fill the Windows Store with more applications soon (especially seeing many of my commonly used apps no longer supported/updated from the Store).
In the meanwhile, people will expect to install their existing copies of Office 2013 or Photoshop Elements on their new laptop. Afterall, it's something all other Windows laptop was capable of, so why would you expect different of this one? I still think it will be important for the marketing to fully clarify what the new OS can and cannot do to their customers.
"Windows RT was a complete disaster, and it was abandoned by the Redmond company shortly after it was released. Windows RT never even got the Windows 8.1 update." Brett, go load up a search engine... wow man... I'm seriously stunned. I'm not even joking... major points lost for you writing about something you literally know jack about.
Nobody is going to claim RT was a success, especially from a device sale perspective. But as far as support goes, MS was really good about that. They stopped releasing devices with RT relatively quickly, but they supported the OS for years. They even released a second-gen Surface with RT, and continued to update all RT installs alongside x86 Windows 8.x basically the whole time. It got all the major updates for *years*. Security updates still hit it AFAIK. . Speaking of which it *DID* get the 8.1 update. Windows 8.1 RT is what they call it... and as I said before it got the major updates. It even got Update 3.
Yea thanks for calling him out on this. Windows 8.1 on RT actually fixed a lot of the problems with launch Windows 8. Performance from 8 to 8.1 on RT skyrocketed with the same crappy Tegra 3.
Yeah for it's day it was pretty nifty. I made good use of the mHDMI connector and SD card. Anyone who didn't update it to 8.1 ASAP was a fool though, hugely improved the device. Well, that and the various BIOS and driver updates. Tegra 3 was still dog-slow, but they made the best with what they had... it actually ran better than my brother's Tegra 3 Android tablet of the same era. Nexus 7, IIRC.
Win10s is based on normal win10 so it gets updates at the same rate. Also if there is any problems, you can upgrade to normal version (if the device is not arm based ofcourse). So there is much less problems with upgrades than with RT.
"Based on Windows 8, but only available on ARM based PCs, and only able to run Windows Store apps, Windows RT was a complete disaster, and it was abandoned by the Redmond company shortly after it was released. Windows RT never even got the Windows 8.1 update."
Any word on whether you'd be able to install W10 S on a computer that game with W10 Home? Sounds like S would be a good fit for a 2-in-1 tablet used for basic tasks, and if it also speeds up low-end hardware, it'd be an added bonus. Say, you have both W10 S and Home/Pro - would you be able to switch between the two if needed?
How about if you started with Windows S to begin with, and upgraded to Pro for $50. Would you be able to dual boot then? If not, that would be a major no-go for me, for video games, and pretty much anyone that needs expanded capability from time to time - crazy things to expect of a computer in Microsoft's book apparently.
By the time you have all the licensing needed to make the Chromebook useful in the classroom I am not even 100% sure they are cheaper.
But from what I am reading Win 10 S doesn't have domain join .... so it is useless to me. At least Google put out an app to sync AD users to the google Admin account so you can pretend that you are using a unified sign in system.
Being able to unlock side-loading and homebrew development is still a must, especially if this is the only ARM-capable version.
Also, I hope MS decided to port a larger part of core components compared to their RT days - like more .NET objects such as WinForms, as well as mshta/WSH as alternative options for making HTML/js apps other than store apps. Though my hope is quite dim. Oh well... maybe at least some of the node+webkit projects will be able to run on it?
"There is an option to unlock full Windows as well, which is something that was never available on RT."
That's not even logically consistent. Windows 10 S on ARM (which doesn't exist, yet) won't be able to be unlocked, so that's the same as RT. Windows RT on x86 (which never existed) was already upgraded to full Windows. The most basic premise of RT was to lock down old apps so that it would work on ARM, so as far as I'm concerned this is still RT. The old RT devices could even be updated to this version right now, if they wanted. (It would extend their functionality a lot, so I really hope they do it.)
They need some kind of emulation container that can run old programs. I've run Windows programs on my phone by using a specific app to load the code. (Obviously they need to wait until all new software is ported over before they would release such a tool, or they'd doom us all to slow emulation of newer software.)
That's a pretty bad way to push their OS like how they pushed Windows Mobile by taking over Nokia. The most popular apps from the Store like facebook or Instagram lack polish that it is better to use a browser. What I mean is, they should build and release the "S" if there is maturity with the popular apps. There should be no limit with x86 software so people will be able to use their favorite browsers such as Chrome and use it against Chromebooks.
Now they just need to make it really cheap or free. Then OEM may have to adopt it to keep their price cheap. And then major companies like Google may be forced to make apps for the windows store. And then those app will also be somewhat available on windows phone.
Honestly, my biggest gripe about about windows phone is the lack of Google related apps. Seriously, google map, gmail and even youtube. I have a feeling that Windows 10 S will flop. But it it does not, it is a huge win for Microsoft.
I'm still not clear how the 10 uses license works. If you uninstall a program, does it free up a use? If you remove a device from your Microsoft account, does THAT free up a use?
If neither, are you stuck rebuying everything with a new account every 11th device you set up?!?
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tuxfool - Tuesday, May 2, 2017 - link
My cheap and facile is statement is that the "S" stands for stupid.HomeworldFound - Tuesday, May 2, 2017 - link
I agree.Frenetic Pony - Wednesday, May 3, 2017 - link
Cheap? Yes. Facile? No.SharpEars - Wednesday, May 3, 2017 - link
It's certainly doomed to failure just like RT.DanNeely - Tuesday, May 2, 2017 - link
As a counter argument to show why Win 10S is going to still result in epic levels of rage if made available to general consumers I've searched the Windows Store for what are probably the two most frequently downloaded free 3rd party windows applications. In both cases the application is nowhere to be found but there are dozens of for pay crapplications trying to scam the unwary out of a few bucks.https://imgur.com/a/n3HZW
vladx - Tuesday, May 2, 2017 - link
I'm afraid anyone using Windows S will be forced to use MS Edge as their only browser.Alexvrb - Tuesday, May 2, 2017 - link
There's nothing stopping Google and Mozilla from using Centennial aka Desktop Bridge to repackage their Win32 programs as UWP apps. So... yeah. If Google and Mozilla want those users, they can do it.notashill - Wednesday, May 3, 2017 - link
Actually there is something stopping them, and it's Microsoft's rules for Windows Store apps:10.2.1
Apps that browse the web must use the appropriate HTML and JavaScript engines provided by the Windows Platform.
Gich - Wednesday, May 3, 2017 - link
Isn't the same on iOS? Chrome there it's just a different interface of Safari.Meteor2 - Wednesday, May 3, 2017 - link
Yes it's the same, and it sucks the same.Chrome and Firefox are the most widely used PC apps. Until they're in the Store, Windows 10 S is DOA.
HomeworldFound - Tuesday, May 2, 2017 - link
I think it's probably intentionalserendip - Tuesday, May 2, 2017 - link
Apparently they're targeting the education market with a locked down equivalent of ChromeOS. That's fine but I wouldn't make the hardware available for general consumers precisely because users will get hopping mad when they find out the Windows app store is a howling wasteland.damianrobertjones - Wednesday, May 3, 2017 - link
...Only to then upgrade to Windows 10 to get full applications for FREE!Visual - Wednesday, May 3, 2017 - link
It's actually a Good Thing (tm) there are so many "crapplications", as it makes it that much more obvious they're not the real thing. If it were just one, I'd be scared.hybrid2d4x4 - Thursday, May 4, 2017 - link
DanNeely> I agree, the ubiquity of "crappications" as you put it is a very serious problem in the Windows store. There needs to be a system that filters out this garbage and cleans existing apps from out of the store. I gave the W10 apps store an honest try to see what I could find and it was disgusting!vladx - Tuesday, May 2, 2017 - link
Wow the Desktop Bridge feature sounds really sweet, hopefully that convinces developers into this new platform.Cygni - Tuesday, May 2, 2017 - link
Might as well write the "Microsoft Has Quietly Ended Windows 10 S Support" article now, as this will be dead in the consumer space pretty rapidly.taisingera - Tuesday, May 2, 2017 - link
Some people think that Windows 10 will become subscription. Now after seeing this, that won't happen. Here is what might happen, all consumer systems will come with Win10S, good enough for most, but if you want to install other apps not in the Store, you will need to pay probably $100 or so for the privilege. Maybe Microsoft will get rid of data mining if you pay even more. As for current Windows 10 systems, they might roll out an update to push your installation back to something like Win10S, and you will need to pay to keep using your non store apps.Linux, here I come.
vladx - Tuesday, May 2, 2017 - link
" Here is what might happen, all consumer systems will come with Win10S, good enough for most, but if you want to install other apps not in the Store, you will need to pay probably $100 or so for the privilege."They could definitely do that for their Surface line, but Microsoft can't force OEMs what OS to put in the systems and laptops they sell. So your paranoia is completely unwarranted in this case.
HomeworldFound - Tuesday, May 2, 2017 - link
Yes, if consumers don't like it the OEMs will fall back on previous operating systems. It was amazing that an OEM could actually sell a downgrade to Windows 7 instead of installing Windows 8.lilmoe - Tuesday, May 2, 2017 - link
Hyperbole much?"all consumer systems will come with Win10S"
You say that as if it's a bad thing. This is EXACTLY what the average Windows users needed; a way to stop them from f'ing up their PCs. They won't touch current installations, and no update will change that.
It's also $50 for a Pro license upgrade. Totally reasonable IMO, but totally unnecessary for most users, especially those who remotely considered a Chromebook.
haukionkannel - Wednesday, May 3, 2017 - link
Exactly. To. Ost users this will be the more secure version. To everyone else go for full win10. This is winRT done right. Very good for education and people who Are not too good with computers.ET - Wednesday, May 3, 2017 - link
Thanks for mentioning the $50 price. I didn't realise it would be this cheap. It makes it a very desirable path to take.Wolfpup - Wednesday, May 10, 2017 - link
Weirdly, that's actually $50 CHEAPER than going from "regular to Pro.lmcd - Tuesday, May 2, 2017 - link
Let me know when you find a good DE with DPI scaling using your choice of videocard without sacrificing 3D performance. Or when good 3D performance and mesaGBM aren't mutually exclusive. Wait, I haven't gotten into hardware-accelerated video yet?leo_sk - Wednesday, May 3, 2017 - link
Chromebooks just increased their apps with android support. What does win 10S offer ?damianrobertjones - Wednesday, May 3, 2017 - link
The world.lmcd - Wednesday, May 3, 2017 - link
Apps that actually are designed for the form factor.Wolfpup - Wednesday, May 10, 2017 - link
A way better OS, and an OS that's actually secure, and can be upgraded to a full OS for cheap?damianrobertjones - Wednesday, May 3, 2017 - link
Cool thoughts based on speculation. Why aren't you on Linux already? Just do it, make the jump.lilmoe - Tuesday, May 2, 2017 - link
I was always a huge fan of RT's concept and its fool proof nature of not allowing non-tech-savvy users to mess with their PCs, and call me for help as a result. I just wished it had a wider selection of desktop optimized apps (metro seriously sucked). I'm super pleased with this release. This should wipe the floor with anything Chrome OS based. LOVE IT. I also love how you can upgrade it to Pro at any time.I wish there's a way to dumb down Windows 10 Home (or even Pro) to Windows 10 S. The speed gains, overall simplicity, potential battery life gains and added worry-free security is exactly what's need for my Dad and Wife's laptops. All while keeping the familiarity of Windows intact.
This is so appealing on so many levels. Now if Google would stop being evil and package Chrome and a Store app; perfect.
Zeratul56 - Tuesday, May 2, 2017 - link
They added the windows store only mode in creators update. You can make any window 10 installation an 's' version by turning that flag on.It is nice because you can install a few non store apps then turn on after giving the computer to its intended user. Allowing you to have a best of both worlds experience.
lilmoe - Tuesday, May 2, 2017 - link
Yes, I know about this option and I have set to "warn me before installing apps" myself. But I believe there's more to the S version than just that, not sure if it's hardware dependent though. That instant resume was awesome.HomeworldFound - Tuesday, May 2, 2017 - link
The problem with the locked system - one click download model is that when it goes wrong there's nothing you can do about it, there's no reversion to previous builds of software either.If Windows 10 S can be unlocked to Windows 10 Pro just bloody ship it with Windows 10 Pro and offer an optional walled student mode. This is retarded.
lilmoe - Tuesday, May 2, 2017 - link
It's a good marketing move sort-of force people into initially trying the new concept, and a real world test of people's acceptance of this approach. 99% of users won't bother configuring the OS to run in the walled garden, because they have no clue it does that. A more "retarded" approach would be _prompting_ the user on first login of they'd want to "dumb down" their system, in which most people would reply "hell no" out of reflex.damianrobertjones - Wednesday, May 3, 2017 - link
It's not retarded (awful word). You and I both KNOW that people won't be bothered to click options to get back to Windows S. Heck the internet told people to turn OFF UAC. Everyone runs as full admin then complains when they're infected!? That's idiotic.Varezhka - Tuesday, May 2, 2017 - link
I'm not against the idea of a Microsoft desktop OS without the legacy application support, but I think branding it as "Windows" would be a cause for confusion for general customers (assuming they aren't public institution only). Showing that "upgrade for only $50 today!!!" message will only antagonize the user and will result in returned laptops, as this is something people will expect to be able to do out of the box. Call it something else, SurfaceOS, wOS, whatever that *clearly* indicate the difference in what it's capable of.vladx - Tuesday, May 2, 2017 - link
Like the article states, legacy could be converted into Store apps through then Desktop Bridge so it's all up to the developers to provide support.Varezhka - Tuesday, May 2, 2017 - link
Sure, and I do hope that the Desktop Bridge will help fill the Windows Store with more applications soon (especially seeing many of my commonly used apps no longer supported/updated from the Store).In the meanwhile, people will expect to install their existing copies of Office 2013 or Photoshop Elements on their new laptop. Afterall, it's something all other Windows laptop was capable of, so why would you expect different of this one? I still think it will be important for the marketing to fully clarify what the new OS can and cannot do to their customers.
damianrobertjones - Wednesday, May 3, 2017 - link
It's free until the end of the year.lmcd - Tuesday, May 2, 2017 - link
Can't wait for this version of the OS to replace the current Continuum desktop (well, or the converged desktop that's been demoed really).Alexvrb - Tuesday, May 2, 2017 - link
"Windows RT was a complete disaster, and it was abandoned by the Redmond company shortly after it was released. Windows RT never even got the Windows 8.1 update."Brett, go load up a search engine... wow man... I'm seriously stunned. I'm not even joking... major points lost for you writing about something you literally know jack about.
Nobody is going to claim RT was a success, especially from a device sale perspective. But as far as support goes, MS was really good about that. They stopped releasing devices with RT relatively quickly, but they supported the OS for years. They even released a second-gen Surface with RT, and continued to update all RT installs alongside x86 Windows 8.x basically the whole time. It got all the major updates for *years*. Security updates still hit it AFAIK. . Speaking of which it *DID* get the 8.1 update. Windows 8.1 RT is what they call it... and as I said before it got the major updates. It even got Update 3.
https://www.microsoft.com/surface/en-us/support/in...
lmcd - Tuesday, May 2, 2017 - link
Yea thanks for calling him out on this. Windows 8.1 on RT actually fixed a lot of the problems with launch Windows 8. Performance from 8 to 8.1 on RT skyrocketed with the same crappy Tegra 3.stux - Wednesday, May 3, 2017 - link
We did Windows RT app development and we had to specifically have two Surfaces, one for 8.0 and another for 8.1.Was a nice little device actually
digiguy - Wednesday, May 3, 2017 - link
My surface 2 still works great as a remote desktop, full hd, light and perfect aspect ratio for that. Use is all the time, but just for that.Alexvrb - Wednesday, May 3, 2017 - link
Yeah for it's day it was pretty nifty. I made good use of the mHDMI connector and SD card. Anyone who didn't update it to 8.1 ASAP was a fool though, hugely improved the device. Well, that and the various BIOS and driver updates. Tegra 3 was still dog-slow, but they made the best with what they had... it actually ran better than my brother's Tegra 3 Android tablet of the same era. Nexus 7, IIRC.Brett Howse - Thursday, May 4, 2017 - link
Sorry I meant Windows 10 update - I edited the article. RT only got a mediocre start menu change.edcoolio - Wednesday, May 3, 2017 - link
Here is an easy prediction:Remember all the early adopters that bought a very expensive Microsoft Surface RT when they first came out?
Microsoft doesn't.
Although the devices are still capable of being great pieces of equipment, Microsoft dropped support for them like third period French.
So, in essence, Redmond alienated all their early adopters with disposable income. Smooth move.
I agree with @tuxfool, the "S" probably does stand for stupid.
haukionkannel - Wednesday, May 3, 2017 - link
Win10s is based on normal win10 so it gets updates at the same rate. Also if there is any problems, you can upgrade to normal version (if the device is not arm based ofcourse). So there is much less problems with upgrades than with RT.lmcd - Wednesday, May 3, 2017 - link
In all likelihood the ARM version will be ready and allow upgrades by then.lmcd - Wednesday, May 3, 2017 - link
It would have to be ready to support desktop bridge apps if we're being realistic.Gich - Wednesday, May 3, 2017 - link
RT 8.1 is and will be supported like Win 8.1.Mainstream/Extended until 2018/2023
edcoolio - Wednesday, May 3, 2017 - link
You completely miss the point.To quote from the article:
"Based on Windows 8, but only available on ARM based PCs, and only able to run Windows Store apps, Windows RT was a complete disaster, and it was abandoned by the Redmond company shortly after it was released. Windows RT never even got the Windows 8.1 update."
Gich - Thursday, May 4, 2017 - link
That is not true.Gich - Thursday, May 4, 2017 - link
That is not true.It got updated to 8.1.
yhselp - Wednesday, May 3, 2017 - link
Any word on whether you'd be able to install W10 S on a computer that game with W10 Home? Sounds like S would be a good fit for a 2-in-1 tablet used for basic tasks, and if it also speeds up low-end hardware, it'd be an added bonus. Say, you have both W10 S and Home/Pro - would you be able to switch between the two if needed?digiguy - Wednesday, May 3, 2017 - link
No, MS specifically said there is no way to go from full Windows to Sdigiguy - Wednesday, May 3, 2017 - link
And Windows S is based on Pro not on Home, so while lacking x86/64 support, it has features that home doesn't have (BitLocker etc.)yhselp - Wednesday, May 3, 2017 - link
How about if you started with Windows S to begin with, and upgraded to Pro for $50. Would you be able to dual boot then? If not, that would be a major no-go for me, for video games, and pretty much anyone that needs expanded capability from time to time - crazy things to expect of a computer in Microsoft's book apparently.damianrobertjones - Wednesday, May 3, 2017 - link
"Chromebooks are cheaper, more reliable, easier to setup and configure, and quicker to get using in class."Other than being cheaper I do not agree with your other statements.
Lakados - Wednesday, May 3, 2017 - link
By the time you have all the licensing needed to make the Chromebook useful in the classroom I am not even 100% sure they are cheaper.But from what I am reading Win 10 S doesn't have domain join .... so it is useless to me. At least Google put out an app to sync AD users to the google Admin account so you can pretend that you are using a unified sign in system.
neo_1221 - Wednesday, May 3, 2017 - link
"But from what I am reading Win 10 S doesn't have domain join"Well that's a deal breaker. Good ol' Microsoft - two steps forward, two steps back.
Gich - Wednesday, May 3, 2017 - link
"Windows RT never even got the Windows 8.1 update."Did not expect this shit on Anandtech.
Gich - Thursday, May 4, 2017 - link
"Windows RT never even got the Windows 10 update, but instead got a start menu update only."What a poor way to fix it...
Visual - Wednesday, May 3, 2017 - link
Being able to unlock side-loading and homebrew development is still a must, especially if this is the only ARM-capable version.Also, I hope MS decided to port a larger part of core components compared to their RT days - like more .NET objects such as WinForms, as well as mshta/WSH as alternative options for making HTML/js apps other than store apps. Though my hope is quite dim. Oh well... maybe at least some of the node+webkit projects will be able to run on it?
mkozakewich - Wednesday, May 3, 2017 - link
"There is an option to unlock full Windows as well, which is something that was never available on RT."That's not even logically consistent. Windows 10 S on ARM (which doesn't exist, yet) won't be able to be unlocked, so that's the same as RT. Windows RT on x86 (which never existed) was already upgraded to full Windows. The most basic premise of RT was to lock down old apps so that it would work on ARM, so as far as I'm concerned this is still RT. The old RT devices could even be updated to this version right now, if they wanted. (It would extend their functionality a lot, so I really hope they do it.)
They need some kind of emulation container that can run old programs. I've run Windows programs on my phone by using a specific app to load the code.
(Obviously they need to wait until all new software is ported over before they would release such a tool, or they'd doom us all to slow emulation of newer software.)
Gich - Wednesday, May 3, 2017 - link
http://www.anandtech.com/show/10889/microsoft-and-...Windows 10 S on ARM might be able to be unlocked with Qualcomm x86 emulation, no?
taisingera - Wednesday, May 3, 2017 - link
Let's put out ideas for what "S" stands for.Students, Stupid, Sheeple, Suckers, Shell Out ($), Sorry (for WinRT1), Security (???),
zodiacfml - Wednesday, May 3, 2017 - link
That's a pretty bad way to push their OS like how they pushed Windows Mobile by taking over Nokia. The most popular apps from the Store like facebook or Instagram lack polish that it is better to use a browser. What I mean is, they should build and release the "S" if there is maturity with the popular apps.There should be no limit with x86 software so people will be able to use their favorite browsers such as Chrome and use it against Chromebooks.
BrokenCrayons - Thursday, May 4, 2017 - link
"Windows RT never even got the Windows 8.1 update."That's incorrect. See: https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/18521/win...
asdacap - Friday, May 5, 2017 - link
Now they just need to make it really cheap or free. Then OEM may have to adopt it to keep their price cheap. And then major companies like Google may be forced to make apps for the windows store. And then those app will also be somewhat available on windows phone.Honestly, my biggest gripe about about windows phone is the lack of Google related apps. Seriously, google map, gmail and even youtube. I have a feeling that Windows 10 S will flop. But it it does not, it is a huge win for Microsoft.
Wolfpup - Wednesday, May 10, 2017 - link
I'm still not clear how the 10 uses license works. If you uninstall a program, does it free up a use? If you remove a device from your Microsoft account, does THAT free up a use?If neither, are you stuck rebuying everything with a new account every 11th device you set up?!?
ejas147 - Monday, August 28, 2017 - link
cool, nice and incredible OS. But more work has to be done on the Window RT OS and device as per availability of software https://www.techfiver.com/mp3clan-free-mp3-mp4-dow...