Skip to main content

Microsoft introduces Windows 10 S, education-focused competitor to Chrome OS

Windows 10 S won't let users change default web browser, search engine

Microsoft held its education-focused event this morning, May 2, where it extolled its solutions aimed at helping students learn, teachers teach, and IT staff focus on letting technology assist both without stifling anyone’s creativity. With an obvious nod to Google’s success in education with its Chromebook platform, Microsoft announced a new lightweight version of Windows 10 dubbed Windows 10 S.

The focus of Windows 10 S, which was originally expected to be called Windows 10 Cloud Edition, is on providing the minimum functionality required to get work done. Microsoft provided a very general overview of the newest version of Windows 10.

Recommended Videos

First, Windows 10 S allows app installations from the Windows Store only. Doing so limits a machine to only the most secure apps, and to a limited set. If a user or administrator tries to install an app from outside the Store, then an error message will be displayed.

This policy limits what apps can be installed on a Windows 10 S machine, but it also significantly reduces first-use loading times down to 10-15 seconds. Microsoft noted that administrators can switch a machine from Windows 10 S to Windows 10 Pro in order to install a non-Store application (though probably only if they’ve purchased a valid license).

Next is the new “Setup my new school PC” app, which walks administrators through the process of setting up a new machine for students. The end result of the process is the creation of a USB flash drive image that can be plugged into a new PC, and that automatically configures the machine from scratch without user intervention.

Finally, Microsoft’s support page provides an interesting qualification that imposes a couple of rather severe limitations on Windows 10 S users. In answer to the question, “Are there any defaults that I cannot change on my Windows 10 S PC?” Microsoft says:

“Yes, Microsoft Edge is the default web browser on Microsoft 10 S. You are able to download another browser that might be available from the Windows Store, but Microsoft Edge will remain the default if, for example, you open an .htm file. Additionally, the default search provider in Microsoft Edge and Internet Explorer cannot be changed.”

In a nod to anyone responsible for managing a large number of educational systems, Microsoft has also introduced Intune for Education, which is an optimized version of its enterprise administration tool optimized for educational institutions. This brings the company’s powerful system management solution to educational IT departments.

Image used with permission by copyright holder

Microsoft finished the Windows 10 S session by highlighting how it’s working to make Microsoft solutions affordable for education. The company announced a number of new initiatives to do just that:

  • Microsoft highlighted the low-cost Windows 10 S machines being brought to the market by its OEM partners. Windows 10 education PCs will start at $189, making them an affordable alternative to Google Chromebooks.
  • Each education PC will come with a free subscription to Minecraft: Education Edition.
  • Windows 10 S will be free for all schools on their current genuine Windows Pro PCs.
  • Office 365 for Education with Microsoft Teams will be free for educational customers.
  • Microsoft Intune for Education is available today for educational institutions.

Windows 10 S will be available this summer, in preparation for the next school year. Microsoft did not provide more details on the technical workings of Windows 10 S, but clearly, the company is focused on providing a low-cost, easy-to-administer solution for education to ensure that an entire generation of students doesn’t grow up using Google solutions.

Updated on 5-2-2017 by Mark Coppock: Added Microsoft support note regarding defaults that cannot be changed in Windows 10 S.

Mark Coppock
Mark Coppock is a Freelance Writer at Digital Trends covering primarily laptop and other computing technologies. He has…
I hope Microsoft adds these 6 things to the next major Windows Update
Windows 11 logo on a laptop.

Windows 11 updates have a bit of a reputation, from slowing Intel's newest desktop processors to breaking games. Despite the occasional hiccup, we still look forward with cautious optimism.

Despite the occasional rough patch, Microsoft continues to evolve the OS, and each update feels like a chance for a new beginning. While Microsoft hasn't confirmed anything yet, the rumor mill is buzzing with what comes next, and I'm starting to feel excited. The talk of new features suggests fixes for long-standing annoyances, productivity boosts, and quality-of-life improvements worth waiting for.
What's coming to Windows in 2025?

Read more
Microsoft could make account-free Windows 11 installs a thing of the past
Windows 11 logo on a laptop.

The offline Windows 11 install looks like it could officially be a thing of the past. 

Microsoft is officially shutting the door on local accounts during Windows 11 setup, confirming that all new installations, Home and Pro alike, will now require a Microsoft account. 

Read more
Microsoft is working on something new, but it’s probably not Windows 12
The Surface Pro 11 on a white table in front of a window.

Microsoft appears to be working on a new major update, but if you're hoping for Windows 12, I wouldn't hold my breath. The company has confirmed that it's testing new content via the Insider program in the Dev Channel, and those changes might lead to a patch that's set to be released later this year. However, we're most likely looking at the successor to the current 24H2 build -- namely Windows 11 25H2 -- and not a whole new operating system.

This was first spotted by Windows Central. The publication cites its own sources as it claims that Microsoft is backporting some platform changes to offer better support for Qualcomm's upcoming Snapdragon X2 chip. Those changes will allow devices that house that chip to run Germanium-based Windows 11. Germanium refers to the platform release that the current Windows 11 build is built on, and it looks like the upcoming 25H2 build might also be based on Germanium -- but nothing is fully clear at this point.

Read more