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Forums - PC Discussion - Microsoft ditches Windows 10 S in favour of a new S Mode

Zkuq on 04 February 2018

Shitstorm incoming if Steam can't even be installed by default. Also, this is really bad for consumers. It will slowly shift the focus from traditional software to UWP apps (because no on wants their app to require switching a setting before it can even be installed) and essentially give Microsoft monopoly in distributing Windows software (UWP apps can't, by default, installed from outside Microsoft Store, and that's probably never going to change).

Also, the new pricing model sounds like a double-edged sword. On one hand, it makes Windows cheaper on cheap devices, but on the other hand, it could make upgrading your PC a pain if you need to upgrade Windows too.

I swear for everything Microsoft gets right with Windows 10, there's something bad as well, and occassionally there's at least a small shitstorm too.

Hiku said:
Does that mean you won't be able to use Steam?

That's exactly one of the implications of this. Steam is a Win32 app, and all the games on it are too. Oh, and all Windows games sold outside Microsoft Store are Win32 apps. Everything you don't get from Microsoft Store is a Win32 app.



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Conina on 04 February 2018
Cyran said:
I read the article differently then the OP. The way I read it is they going to stop selling Windows 10 S and instead offer it as a mode in there none S windows 10. Even if they set Windows S as the default mode it would be a simple setting change, to change the mode to something else.

Yeah, could be an instrument of parental control:

"I'm switching your Windows to S(hit)-mode until you are done with your homework. Then I will remove that restriction."

Much easier than installing a different OS version (replace Windows 10 with Windows 10 S) for these purposes.



Zkuq on 04 February 2018
Ryuu96 said:

Slightly inaccurate title, the article doesn't mention anywhere that 'S Mode' will be the new default mode, just that it's replacing 'Windows 10 S'.

OEM's still have the option of shipping in Pro, Pro S, Home, Home S etc. (Confirmed by Brad in the comments) and in a separate article Microsoft says how they prefer OEMs to ship, which would be impossible if S Mode was default as it includes Win32 apps.

For device configuration in 2018, the company is pushing its partners to set Edge as the default browser, installing the LinkedIn UWP app, pre-install Office, and limiting app pinning to 1 legacy win 32 app on the desktop, 1 legacy app on the taskbar and for the Start menu, 25% Win32/75% Microsoft Store.

Updated the title.

This makes the whole situation really baffling. Almost no one's going to use S mode if it's not the default - why would anyone? It offers almost no benefit over regular mode. There's got to be more to this. For example, maybe shipping PCs with S mode enabled is cheaper for OEMs?

Last edited by Zkuq - on 04 February 2018

Conina on 04 February 2018
Zkuq said:

This makes the whole situation really baffling. Almost no one's going to use S mode if it's not the default - why would anyone? It offers almost no benefit over regular mode. There's got to be more to this. For example, maybe shipping PCs with S mode enabled if cheaper for OEMs?

Schools, some offices, parental restrictions...



JRPGfan on 04 February 2018

Does this mean if you buy a laptop,desktop from most places (stores) in the future, you wont be able to run win32 programs?



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JRPGfan on 04 February 2018
Zkuq said:
Ryuu96 said:

Slightly inaccurate title, the article doesn't mention anywhere that 'S Mode' will be the new default mode, just that it's replacing 'Windows 10 S'.

OEM's still have the option of shipping in Pro, Pro S, Home, Home S etc. (Confirmed by Brad in the comments) and in a separate article Microsoft says how they prefer OEMs to ship, which would be impossible if S Mode was default as it includes Win32 apps.

For device configuration in 2018, the company is pushing its partners to set Edge as the default browser, installing the LinkedIn UWP app, pre-install Office, and limiting app pinning to 1 legacy win 32 app on the desktop, 1 legacy app on the taskbar and for the Start menu, 25% Win32/75% Microsoft Store.

Updated the title.

This makes the whole situation really baffling. Almost no one's going to use S mode if it's not the default - why would anyone? It offers almost no benefit over regular mode. There's got to be more to this. For example, maybe shipping PCs with S mode enabled if cheaper for OEMs?

That was my thinking too.

"On third-party devices, Microsoft says that 60% of users remain on Windows 10 S"

Ouch.



Zkuq on 04 February 2018
Conina said:
Zkuq said:

This makes the whole situation really baffling. Almost no one's going to use S mode if it's not the default - why would anyone? It offers almost no benefit over regular mode. There's got to be more to this. For example, maybe shipping PCs with S mode enabled if cheaper for OEMs?

Schools, some offices, parental restrictions...

Maybe. I'm not sure how viable that is though, since I would be quite surprised if even they could get all the sotware they need as UWP apps. You have a point though, and could well be right.



Noobie on 04 February 2018
Hiku said:
Does that mean you won't be able to use Steam?

I'm glad I stuck with Windows 7 btw.

You can use Steam by paying $49 extra, if you are using Windows Pro.

Source

Random_Matt said:
Just a rumour, do not see it happening.

its almost confirmed. You can deny but they have given the dates when this will become applicable. 

Source

Cyran said:
I read the article differently then the OP. The way I read it is they going to stop selling Windows 10 S and instead offer it as a mode in there none S windows 10. Even if they set Windows S as the default mode it would be a simple setting change, to change the mode to something else.

I really don't see how this affect anyone in a negative way. Nothing I read made it sound like they getting rid of windows 10 in favor of windows 10 S but rather the reverse, they getting rid of windows S and offering it as a optional mode in windows 10.

You are ignoring the power of default mode. Its not the optional mode. its the default mode and you need to pay extra to use other stores. 

Zkuq said:
Ryuu96 said:

Slightly inaccurate title, the article doesn't mention anywhere that 'S Mode' will be the new default mode, just that it's replacing 'Windows 10 S'.

OEM's still have the option of shipping in Pro, Pro S, Home, Home S etc. (Confirmed by Brad in the comments) and in a separate article Microsoft says how they prefer OEMs to ship, which would be impossible if S Mode was default as it includes Win32 apps.

For device configuration in 2018, the company is pushing its partners to set Edge as the default browser, installing the LinkedIn UWP app, pre-install Office, and limiting app pinning to 1 legacy win 32 app on the desktop, 1 legacy app on the taskbar and for the Start menu, 25% Win32/75% Microsoft Store.

Updated the title.

This makes the whole situation really baffling. Almost no one's going to use S mode if it's not the default - why would anyone? It offers almost no benefit over regular mode. There's got to be more to this. For example, maybe shipping PCs with S mode enabled is cheaper for OEMs?

Or its the way to restrict users like Internet Explorer did. Let see if they are successful again

From the Verge article

This S Mode will essentially lock down any copy of Windows 10 so it can only run apps from the Microsoft Store, and does exactly what the dedicated Windows 10 S operating system was built to do.

Microsoft is reportedly planning to allow Windows 10 Home users to disable the S Mode free of charge, but Windows 10 Pro customers with S Mode enabled on their device will be forced to pay $49 to get access to a full version of Windows 10 Pro.



http://techorate.blogspot.com/

http://caylu.wordpress.com/

Zkuq on 04 February 2018
Ryuu96 said:
Zkuq said:

This makes the whole situation really baffling. Almost no one's going to use S mode if it's not the default - why would anyone? It offers almost no benefit over regular mode. There's got to be more to this. For example, maybe shipping PCs with S mode enabled if cheaper for OEMs?

Aren't Chromebooks doing well in education? I'm guessing Microsoft wants to try and claim that market and also get some people who only use their PC for a few things only (Email, FB..)

I have no idea. Since they're still around, they must have an audience though. You make an excellent point. The latter group you mention would require S mode to be enabled by default though, so there should be a way for S mode to be enabled by default. In practice, it would have to be enabled by OEMs.



Cyran on 05 February 2018
Noobie said:

You are ignoring the power of default mode. Its not the optional mode. its the default mode and you need to pay extra to use other stores. 

Base on the Verge article I would agree with you.  On the other hand the thurrott article gave me a different impression.  I don't know which one correct.  Verge is not a place I personally use for a tech news source so I don't know what there track record like.

My interpretation was that windows 10/pro will comes with a S mode and you can switch back and fourth (no cost).

For people who currently own the windows 10 S that they will stop selling you can upgrade to regular windows 10 for free.

For people who currently own the windows 10 Pro S you will have to pay $50 to upgrade to the none S version (which now includes a S mode if you want).