Meet Windows 10 S, a streamlined Windows Store-only OS for schools - crouchkitime

Don't call it a comeback—because information technology isn't quite. Patc Windows 10 S, Microsoft's new education-focused version of Windows, bears conspicuous resemblance to the disastrous Windows RT, this Chromium-plate OS contender harbors fundamental differences that make it more useful.

The "S" in "Windows 10 S" stands for tetrad different aspects, according to Windows chief Terry Myerson: Burglarproof, master performance, streamlined for simplicity, and "the soul of Windows 10." But really, the new-await operating system could've been even as succinctly summed up away another S: Memory. (For all the inside information rump the news, read our spatiotemporal Windows 10 S story.)

Like Windows RT, Windows 10 S restricts users to Windows Store apps alone. Wait! Don't discharge away yet! This time it's for an actual ground. Windows Store apps use less battery life history and are inherently more manageable than traditional background apps, which can hook deep into the operating system and spawn tons of messy processes.

Apps from Microsoft's walled garden are also screened for security and performance, and each Windows Store app runs in a warranted container that doesn't step in with the rest of the operative system—making logins on the senior day of school As seamless as the first day, Myerson says. And those logins should all take under 5 seconds.

Put differently, the Windows Put in limitation is well-intentioned to alleviate potential headaches for teachers and admins—and maybe push Windows Store apps into the limelight later their lackluster first few eld.

"Technology should make teachers' lives simpler and actuate scholar creativity, not distract from it," Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella said.

Unlike Windows RT, Windows 10 S can campaign traditional x86-settled desktop software too—but there's a catch. That desktop software essential have been packaged up as a Windows Computer memory app. If you effort to run software from outside the store, a dialogue corner will appear suggesting a Windows Store alternative instead. In a pinch, admins and teachers can hop into the Windows Store and set up Windows 10 Pro on the device instead, for free. (It'll be you $50 to switch to Windows 10 Professional if you buy your possess Windows 10 S laptop, though.)

Microsoft's bolstering Windows 10 S with a Windows Intune Education tool that allows you to configure a system image using a wizard, then slap it on a USB key that can constitute exploited to installed that customized version of Windows 10 S on any PC in under 30 seconds. That's fast deployment. Myerson aforementioned a school in Colorado set awake over 600 laptops in a single day using 30 of these Windows 10 S USB sticks.

Software program plunk fo's a key part of educational computers Eastern Samoa well. Microsoft's tossing in a free one-year subscription to Minecraft: Education Edition with Windows 10 S laptops, and qualification Office 365 for Education free to schools. In addition, any current Windows 10 Pro PC being used by a school fanny be flashed to Windows 10 S for free. Microsoft's also adding classroom-focused capabilities to Microsoft Teams.

Windows 10 S is au fon a more restricted version of Windows 10, and it'll run on all the same hardware as the wide version. Look for PC vendors like Dell, HP, Acer, Asus, and more to straighten Windows 10 S laptops this summertime for as undersized equally $189.