Simply Computers (T) Ltd

13 May, 2017

Windows 10 S Vs Windows 10: What`s The Difference?

Theres a new Windows in town. Windows 10 S is Microsoft s attempt to strip back Windows 10 and compete with Googles increasingly popular ChromeOS in budget, business and education sectors. The result? Windows 10 S sounds a lot like Windows 10, but in reality they are two very different operating systems…

The Good News

Performance - The Big Selling Point

Microsoft has yet to reveal what Windows 10 S stands for, but Speed would be as good a choice as any. Windows 10 S will boot in just 15 seconds. It is built on the same core as Windows 10 but is more lightweight, running on lesser hardware configurations which allows for both the purchase of very cheap PCs (more later) but also installation on older hardware to bring it back to life.

Battery Life

Microsoft also promises Windows 10 S will deliver significantly better battery life than Windows 10. In fact Microsoft claims its first Windows 10 S computer, the Surface Laptop, will last up to 14.5 hours on a single charge, and that machine packs a 13.5-inch 1080p touchscreen display.

Wide Compatibility

This is short and sweet: if your computer can run Windows 10, it can run Windows 10S.

Microsoft also claims Windows 10 S will work with most third party peripherals as it has access to the Windows 10 driver database. Then again that is all the drivers you will have access to (more later) so if you need to manually install drivers on your current setup then expect to run into trouble with Windows 10S.

Many Windows 10 Pro Features

Interestingly Microsoft has built Windows 10 S from the core of Windows 10 Pro, not Windows 10 Home.

Microsoft has yet to provide a full list of bundled Pro functionality in Windows 10 S, but you will get Pro features like Azure Active Directory (AD), Mobile Device Management (MDM), business editions of Windows Update and Windows Store, plus BitLocker and enterprise roaming. Exclusions include Hyper-V and Windows Subsystem for Linux.

There is a new Windows in town. Windows 10 S is Microsoft is attempt to strip back Windows 10 and compete with Googles increasingly popular ChromeOS in budget, business and education sectors. The result? Windows 10 S sounds a lot like Windows 10, but in reality they are two very different operating systems…

Goodbye Desktop Programs

Yes, just like Microsofts failed Windows RT platform, Windows 10 S will not run software you have to install from the desktop. Currently that means no Chrome, no Firefox, no iTunes, numerous games and much much more.

Bing Everywhere

Perhaps just as controversially, Microsoft has also announced that users will not be able to use any other search engine than Bing within Windows 10 S (aside from browsing to Google.com). Microsoft says where Bing isnt available, regional variants will be offered, but that wont include Google or any other major Bing search rivals.

Hamstrung Software

While manufacturers can make their software available to Windows 10 S by offering it via the Windows Store, many programs also rely on counterpart desktop software to improve their functionality. For example Google Photos and the Google Photos desktop uploader or the endless number of third party apps from customising and enhancing everything from Adobe Photoshop to Windows Explorer.

Bottom Line: Windows RT 2.0 - For Better Or Worse

A crude way to describe Windows 10 S is Windows 10 restricted to the Windows Store. Its also important to note Windows RT failed not because it was bad, but because it was ahead of its time. Five years later Microsoft will be desperately hoping the success of Cloud-based ChromeOS means the time for Windows 10 S has finally come.

Get it right and Microsoft will have have a foothold on what will ultimately be the future of operating systems and the tool to combat a fast growing rival. Get it wrong and users will find their own adjectives for the S...