In a modern cloud-centric work environment, it is not always necessary for every workstation or every employee to have full access to every possible application. In fact, for security purposes, it is sometimes much better if enterprises and IT departments limit employee access to only the applications they need to perform their specific jobs. One of the most effective ways to do this is to limit the access capability of the operating system running an employee's computing device.

In the past, enterprises relied on the mainframe-dumb terminal system to limit application access, but that system placed severe limits on employee innovation and team collaboration. That old system, as secure as it was, would be a disaster for the modern enterprise, which requires a modern system that takes advantage of cloud-based computing without stifling employee creativity.

Placing a device's OS in a locked down secure state can limit access to applications while still taking advantage of the computational power of the cloud and the potential of employee interaction and collaboration—this is the working principle behind Microsoft Windows 10 S. As a modified version of Windows 10 Pro, the streamlined Windows 10 S can still achieve computational performance and communication but with limits that deliver additional security in an enterprise or an academic environment.

SEE: Windows 10 S cheat sheet (PDF version of this cheat sheet) (TechRepublic)

What is Windows 10 S?

Microsoft Windows 10 S is a pre-configured version of Windows 10 Pro designed to be more secure but with the same level of performance. The most obvious limitation is that Windows 10 S can only download, install, and use applications that are verified and available from the Microsoft Store.

To maintain security while conducting activity in a cloud environment, the default web browser is Microsoft Edge. Furthermore, Windows 10 S is specifically configured to perform better and more securely with Microsoft Edge. So, while other web browsers may be available in the Microsoft Store, Edge will always be the most optimized browser to use on a Windows 10 S device.

SEE: Securing Windows policy (Tech Pro Research)

The other major difference between Microsoft Windows 10 S and Windows 10 Pro is that the Windows 10 S version can not only run on x86 processors from Intel and AMD, but also on Qualcomm Snapdragon processors. This capability expands the type of devices that can run Windows 10 S to include mobile and specific-use hardware.

Additional resources

• Windows 10 S Mode U-turn: Unlocking PCs will be free, says Microsoft (TechRepublic)
• Microsoft adds new security, privacy, Edge features to latest Windows 10 test build (ZDNet)
• 10 more quick tips to make Windows 10 work the way you want (TechRepublic)
• Top Windows 10 questions: How to install, secure, upgrade, get it for free (ZDNet)
• Windows 10: The smart person's guide (TechRepublic)

What are the benefits of running Windows 10 S, and what are the major differences between Windows 10 S and Windows 10 Pro?

Microsoft Windows 10 S is designed to run on hardware that ranges from small mobile devices with low memory and computational power to powerful workstations with huge amounts of memory and computational capacity. It is a versatile OS with a secure profile that limits the applications to only those verified and available on the Microsoft Store.

By limiting applications to the Microsoft Store, enterprises and IT departments can better control which applications they allow on each piece of hardware. Devices running Windows 10 S can avoid much of the malware common to other versions of Windows 10 and other operating systems.

However, this application limitation does not mean that hardware running Windows 10 S are limited in their ability to communicate with other devices and the cloud; cooperation, collaboration, and innovation by enterprise employee interaction is still possible and, with the right set of Microsoft Store-verified tools, highly likely.

SEE: All of TechRepublic's cheat sheets and smart person's guides

Windows 10 S is optimized to run the Microsoft Edge web browser, which is further designed to work smoothly with other Microsoft products and services like Office 365 and Azure. Devices running Windows 10 S therefore achieve their best performance in a Microsoft ecosystem, which may be of benefit to certain enterprises under certain circumstances.

Devices running Windows 10 S can be upgraded to run Windows 10 Pro for free. The process can be accomplished with a simple download from the Microsoft Store and an installation update. Note: Keep in mind that the transformation only works in one direction—once a device is upgraded to Windows 10 Pro, it cannot be transformed back to Windows 10 S.

Because applications are limited to those verified and available on the Microsoft Store, any application that is purchased for a Windows 10 S device should also be available on a Windows 10 Pro device, and vice versa, if the user logs in using the same Microsoft account; however, devices running on a Snapdragon processor may be limited in this regard.

Table A reveals the major differences between Windows 10 S and Windows 10 Pro.

Table A

Additional resources

• Windows 10 April 2018 Update: An insider's guide (free PDF) (TechRepublic)
• How to avoid installing Windows 10 crapware (free PDF) (TechRepublic)
• Microsoft's BitLocker encryption program: A cheat sheet (TechRepublic)
• Windows 10: Get ready for PCs with 'beyond all-day' battery life (TechRepublic)
• Windows 10 Creators Update: The smart person's guide (TechRepublic)
• Windows 10 power tips: Secret shortcuts to your favorite settings (Tech Pro Research)

What are the drawbacks of Windows 10 S?

While the fact that Microsoft Windows 10 S devices can only use applications from the Microsoft Store may be considered a benefit in many situations, the limitation may also be viewed as a drawback in some other cases. For enterprises running proprietary or in-house developed applications, not available and verified in the Store, Windows 10 S will be practically useless.

For enterprises running online and cloud-based applications optimized for web browsers other than Edge, using devices running Windows 10 S could also prove problematic. While web browsers like Google Chrome and Mozilla Firefox may be available from the Microsoft Store, they will not be able to match the performance optimization built into Edge under Windows 10 S.

Additional resources

• 20 quick Windows tips for power users (free PDF) (TechRepublic)
• Windows 10 spotlight: Prepare, repair, and recover (Tech Pro Research)
• Windows 10: Privacy and data sharing specifics you need to know (TechRepublic)
• Windows 10 privacy guide: How to take control (ZDNet)

What are the benefits and drawbacks based on Windows 10 S running a Snapdragon processor?

Microsoft Windows 10 S hardware using a Qualcomm Snapdragon processor can take advantage of the benefits associated with a mobile device. The key benefits of a mobile device include:

• Always connected: Because Snapdragon devices often have a cellular data connection, they are always connected to the internet—at least when there is an available cellular signal. Just like a mobile smartphone, such devices will use Wi-Fi when possible and then automatically switch to cellular when necessary. Either way, these devices remain connected.
• Long battery life: Devices featuring a Snapdragon processor consume much less power than their Intel and AMD counterparts. This means that such devices will often last more than 24 hours on a single full battery charge.
• Instant on: Again, similar to a mobile smartphone, Snapdragon devices can be turned on almost instantaneously with a push of a button—there is no need to boot the operating system like a traditional PC.

However, while the benefits of Snapdragon processors for devices running Windows 10 S are compelling, there are also several drawbacks to consider. These Snapdragon limitations include:

• Lack of drivers: Drivers for hardware, peripherals, games, and applications must be developed and deployed specifically for a platform running a Snapdragon processor in combination with Windows 10 S. While there are many benefits available with such devices, they are still part of a niche market, and drivers may not always be readily available.
• No support for 64-bit (x64) apps: Windows 10 S on Snapdragon processors supports 32-bit (x86) apps, 32-bit (ARM32) apps, and 64-bit (ARM64) apps only—there is no support for 64-bit (x64) applications. This limitation could cause problems for enterprises depending on their application needs.
• Emulation: It is important to note that 32-bit (x86) applications running on Snapdragon processors under Windows 10 S operate in emulation mode. This extra layer of processing could have a detrimental effect on general performance.
• Lack of support: Some graphic-intensive applications, in particular certain games, may not run on Snapdragon processors at all because the 32-bit (x86) emulator does not support specific drivers and other graphical protocols that operate as extensions of the Windows 10 S operating system.

Additional resources

• Windows 10: Fast-charging PCs using Galaxy S8 Snapdragon chip out this year (TechRepublic)
• This $20 Raspberry Pi rival runs Android and offers 4K video (TechRepublic)
• Microsoft Surface Laptop: A cheat sheet (TechRepublic)
• Samsung Galaxy S9: Speed tests show Snapdragon 845 will blitz 2017 flagships (ZDNet)

What is the target market for Windows 10 S?

Microsoft Windows 10 S may not be the best choice for every enterprise and every situation, though there are several substantial markets where the operating system may be a viable option. The additional control and security, for example, may appeal to industries operating in strict regulatory environments.

Banks, financial institutions, healthcare providers, insurance companies, and government contractors must comply with myriad laws and regulations; many of these compliance issues center around security and restricted access. With the limitations built into Windows 10 S, these enterprises may be able to achieve many of their compliance goals just by choosing hardware limited by the operating system.

Enterprises that deploy specialized, specific-use devices (bar code readers, inventory management tools, digital manifest trackers, etc.) may benefit from devices running Windows 10 S. These devices are often designed to take advantage of the always connected, always on operation of the Snapdragon processor.

SEE: Technology in education: The latest products and trends (free PDF) (TechRepublic)

A smaller market for Windows 10 S devices is in the educational and academic market. Small, inexpensive, and always-on devices are often the best choice for students learning skills in information technology at an early age. Windows 10 S can help keep elementary and secondary students focused and on task by limiting social media and other distractions—at least on the school-supported devices.

What are the competitors to Windows 10 S?

While the market for Microsoft Windows 10 S devices is small compared to the overall market for computing devices, there is still considerable competition in this space. Low power, more secure, and application-limited hardware appeals to many industries and has drawn competition from industry leaders like Google and Apple.

The primary competition to Windows 10 S is most likely the Google Chromebook. These devices forgo the traditional PC operating system and opt to use a specialized web browser. A Chromebook depends on cloud services and online-based applications rather than on-device installed apps; this affords such devices even more control over what applications may be used. This also places some tangible limits on what tasks a Chromebook can accomplish.

SEE: Best Tablets for 2018 (CNET)

Tablet devices like the Apple iPad also compete in this market. The iPad and similar devices limit applications to only those vetted and make available through Apple. The closed Apple ecosystem gives enterprises a certain level of assurance regarding the overall security of these devices; however, while the number of applications available for the iPad is significant, the computational power of the devices is limited.

Apple and Google have spent a great deal of time and resources promoting their limited devices in the educational and academia markets, and both companies dominate this market. Microsoft will have trouble making inroads with Windows 10 S, even if the company can show its products are superior in performance.

Additional resources

• Can Microsoft's Surface Go unseat Apple's iPad? (ZDNet)
• 10 tips to help you become a Google Chromebook power user (TechRepublic)
• Microsoft's Apple iPad beater? $400 Surface tablet backed up by FCC filings (ZDNet)
• Microsoft Surface Pro with LTE Advanced review: A more connected Surface, no Wi-Fi required (CNET)

How can I get Windows 10 S?

Microsoft Windows 10 S is not generally available as a stand-alone product. Instead, the operating system is purchased as the chosen mode for a particular device. While companies like Acer and HP will be offering various laptops featuring Windows 10 S, the best place to find quality devices is directly from the Microsoft Store.

Many of the Surface Laptops available from the Microsoft Store, including the Surface Go, come configured with Windows 10 S. The base models start at $399.

Additional resources

• Microsoft Surface Go: A cheat sheet (TechRepublic)
• Why did Microsoft build the Surface Go? (ZDNet)
• Which Microsoft Surface should I buy? (CNET)
• Microsoft Surface Pro: A cheat sheet (TechRepublic)

Microsoft Weekly Newsletter

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Also see

• Windows Store Hail Mary: Microsoft will give app devs 95 percent of revenue (CNET)
• Windows 10 April 2018 Update: An insider's guide (free PDF) (TechRepublic)
• IT pro's guide to the Windows 10 Fall Creators Update (free PDF) (TechRepublic)
• Gallery: 10 apps to add features to Windows 10 (TechRepublic)

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