Windows 10 S is Microsoft’s step up from their current version of Windows. It is advertised as faster and more secure than these versions. But as good as this may sound, Windows 10 S has its issues, and they are big.
When I first heard about Windows 10 S, I thought, “Is this a joke?!” I thought this because there are restrictions on what you can do on this operating system. The biggest restriction is that you can’t install software from CDs or the Internet; you are restricted to software on the Microsoft Store. That means you can’t install Firefox or Chrome, Steam or any game manager, or Adobe software. Additionally, you can’t change your default browser or search engine, meaning you are stuck with Microsoft Edge and Bing Search.
You can compare Windows 10 S to iOS because you can only install apps from the app store. However, this is a computer, not a phone, and we are used to having more freedom on computers. You might also think that Windows 10 S would be a good competitor to Chromebooks, the cheap low-end computers that are powered by Chrome and its app store. But Microsoft is set on making Windows 10 S the universal operating system, releasing it on its new Surface Laptop, which costs $1,000. And considering that they will try and put it on every third-party manufacturer’s computer they can find is just plain disappointing.
Microsoft is doing this because they say that Windows 10 S is more secure. One reason why is because you can only install things from the Windows Store. But because developers only submit executable files to Microsoft that they scan with their underpowered Windows Defender, there could be malicious apps on the Windows Store. Basically, someone could write a virus and submit it to the Windows Store. Also, there are some inappropriate apps on the Store, so it’s not completely safe for school or work. Another reason is that the OS comes with Windows Defender, and you can’t install any other good antivirus programs. This is bad because Windows Defender is not very good compared to these other programs. The third reason is that the default browser is Microsoft Edge. I have never used Microsoft Edge, but it is upsetting that people who prefer to use Firefox or Chrome will not be able to use these browsers.
The other reason that they are doing this is that they want to make more money. Not a lot of people who have Windows use the built in applications or download apps from the Windows Store. Microsoft gets a fraction of all the purchases made through the Windows Store. On the other hand, developers get less money than they would if they just sold their product online. Therefore, some companies would not be willing to release their desktop apps to the Windows Store.
If you buy a computer with Windows 10 S and want to install software that is not in the Microsoft Store, you will have to pay $50 to upgrade to Windows 10 Pro. This is really disappointing because you shouldn’t have to pay money just to have freedom on your computer. Plus, the framework is already built into Windows 10 S to run these applications, so it is ridiculous that you have to do this. Hopefully, Microsoft makes the right decision to not use cruel moneymaking schemes and to instead satisfy its users.
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