Microsoft Launches Windows 10 S With the Classroom in Mind

Just like Windows RT, everything that runs on Windows 10 is downloaded from Windows Store.

This, however, doesn’t mean that users will be stuck with what is now available on the Windows Store. Windows 10 S only runs applications from the Windows store, giving it a closed ecosystem that makes it nearly more like an iPad.

Microsoft has chose to make a streamlined version of Windows 10 to cater mainly to the education sector.

The software giant is offering the Windows 10 S as a free upgrade for all schools now using Windows Pro PCs. With a dedicated USB key, Windows 10 S can customize all the settings for a school.

Computers running on streamlined Windows 10 S will tap into online tools such as Microsoft Office 365 and will get applications that have been vetted at a Windows online shop, according to the Redmond, Washington-based technology giant. Which makes it all a little confusing…

With a bent toward creative workers and students, the Surface Laptop boasts comparability with the Surface Dial, which allows for context related controls with Windows 10 software.

Windows 10 S mainly meant to run on Windows 10 education PCs from Microsoft partners like Acer and Dell at sub $200 prices.

The company is offering one-year free subscription to “Minecraft: Education Edition” for its Windows 10 educations PCs. For schools, however, it will be free.

KitGuru Says: Microsoft didn’t really dive in to how much a Windows 10 S license would cost but that seems to be something for the OEMs to worry about, rather than consumers. No apps can be installed or executed unless they first past through Microsoft’s curation process. The concept is similar to Chrome OS, used in Google’s low-priced Chromebook PCs popular with students.

The 3:59 gives you bite-size news and analysis about the top stories of the day, brought to you by the CNET News team in NY and producer Bryan VanGelder. Windows 10 Pro has a “Mixed Reality Portal” app preinstalled but the Windows 10 S may lack this feature. It provides a robust Windows experience with low-end hardware that’s specifically targeted to the education sector.

What are the alternatives to Windows 10 S?