Windows 10 S Mode Prioritizes Security Simplicity And Speed

Windows 10 S Mode Prioritizes Security Simplicity And Speed

What is Windows 10 S?
Windows 10 S, announced in 2017, is a "walled garden" version of Windows 10 -- it offers a faster, more secure experience by only allowing users to install software from the official Windows app store, and by requiring use of the Microsoft Edge browser. Sometimes referred to as "Windows 10 in S mode," Windows 10 S is installed on lower-cost laptops aimed at schools and students, including the Microsoft Surface Laptop.

The stripped-down OS represents Microsoft's efforts to compete in the classroom against the likes of Google Chromebooks and Apple iPads. Machines running Windows 10 S are easier for administrators to set up and manage, according to Microsoft -- which can also be beneficial for small business owners.

If you want to, you can upgrade from Windows 10 S to Windows 10 Pro to get the full Windows 10 experience. However, switching back afterward is more complicated (you can find out how to do so in this guide to upgrading from Windows 10 S to Windows 10 Pro and back).
 

Essentially, Windows in S Mode is Windows locked down for security and performance, so it’s much harder to make mistakes or change settings that could give you a bad experience. This ensures that even after using and updating it for many months, Windows will still work as well as it did the first day you set up your PC.

S mode is available in Windows 10 Home edition, Windows 10 Pro and Windows 10 Pro Education. And while Microsoft Edge with Bing as the search engine is your only option as the default browser, you can install different browsers from the Microsoft Store.

For more, check out Windows 10 tips and tricks: Secret start menu, taking screenshots and more, and 6 simple security changes all Windows 10 users need to make.

Key features of Windows in S mode

Windows 10 in S mode is a more limited version of the Windows operating system than the Home or Pro versions of Windows. The key features of Windows in S mode focus on efficiency, security and stability:

1. All apps must be downloaded from the Microsoft Store — no third-party applications that slow down the operating system or accumulate adware in the background.
2. Microsoft Edge, a browser with a simple interface and sharing features, is the default browser in S mode, and you can’t change that.
3. Bing is the default search engine.
4. S mode is available for Windows Home Edition for Windows 10 and 11 as well as Windows 10 Pro and Windows 10 Education.
5. It can come installed on a PC with either an Intel, AMD or a Qualcomm Snapdragon processor.
6. Microsoft Entra ID is available for some instances of S mode as a way of accessing organizational resources, if there is support for Windows Pro features.
7. Admin controls, such as telemetry controls, health analytics, and security features like App and Credential Guard, are available.
8. There is no command line, no scripts and no Registry or Group Policy; devices are managed through MDM using Microsoft Intune.

Things to Know About Windows 10 S and Windows 10 in S Mode
 

1. Look and Feel like Windows 10
On the surface, Windows 10S and Windows 10 in S Mode look just like the full version of Windows 10. When you start it up for the first time, the default wallpaper may be different but the design and layout are otherwise the same.

2. Superior Performance
The lightweight specs mean start-up times are significantly faster using Windows 10 S and Windows 10 in S Mode than with Windows 10. Both the OS itself and apps load quicker, while battery life also lasts longer.

3. Exclusively use Windows Store Apps
The biggest functional difference compared to Windows 10 is that 10S/10 in S mode users are restricted to apps found in Microsoft’s own Windows Store.

This includes all of Microsoft’s own apps, including the full Office 365 suite, and several popular apps such as Evernote, Spotify and Photoshop Elements. However, other 3rd party apps not yet available on the Windows Store, including Google Chrome and Adobe Creative Cloud, can only run on the full version of Windows 10.

4. Improved Security
One of the positive trade-offs for restricting apps to the Windows Store, is all apps are verified for security by Microsoft. Most bugs that affect Windows systems typically come from 3rd party downloads, so it also cuts these out.

Windows Defender is always on and kept updated with Windows 10 S/10 in S Mode, while Bit-locker encryption is also included to protect users’ files (not available in Windows 10 Home).

5. Secure Microsoft Browser
Windows 10 S and Windows 10 in S mode work with Microsoft Edge as the default web browser. Edge is designed to give added protection against phishing and malware compared to rival browsers, such as Chrome and Firefox.

While Chrome isn’t available for Windows 10 S/10 in S mode, you can still access your Google Drive and Google Docs online, as usual, using Edge.

6. Can be Switched to Windows 10 for Free
If there are specific apps you need but they aren’t on the Windows Store, Windows 10 S/10 in S mode gives you the option to switch to the full version of Windows 10.

Switching is one-way. You can’t return to S mode once you’ve switched out. It is, however, free to switch.

To do so, go to your Windows Settings menu and click on Update & Security then Activation. Find the Switch to Windows 10 Home or Pro sections and then click the Go to the Store link. You’ll be directed to a webpage for switching out of S mode.

Overall, Windows 10 S/10 in S mode gives users a faster performing operating system with tighter security at the cost of a tighter selection of apps. If you want to use your computer for general work and browsing functions, with added protections, Windows 10 S/10 in S mode could be the right choice for you. And if you find you need greater flexibility, you can still switch to the full version of Windows 10 at no cost anytime.

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