Can Windows 10 S be used in the real world?

Microsoft has announced Windows 10 S, a new version of Windows not only aimed at education, but to non-power users.

Microsoft claims that the new system will use less power and will provide more efficient use of the battery.

The only applications that will work on the device will be loaded from the app store or be run from a web browser. Currently, only Microsoft Edge of the big three browsers is available from the Microsoft App store.

Traditional software vendors can either develop a compatible Windows Store application or use a bridging technology to get their program to work on the new Operating Systems that will benefit from a better performance by not needing to be backwards compatible.

This announcement made me think, could I work on Windows 10 S, currently the answer would be no. 

The reason why is probably behind the reason Microsoft has made Windows 10 S. The Microsoft Store lacks so many apps that creative people use to create content. Whilst Photoshop Elements is now in the store, the video production software Adobe Premiere Elements is not. The popular audio editing software Aucacity is only available as a traditional install package.

Good news is full Microsoft Office is coming to Windows Store, it's maybe more surprising it wasn’t there already.

Of course, for many people, Windows Store versions or website services for Facebook, Twitter, Instagram etc will be suitable for all their needs. For many, the safety of a familiar Windows interface coupled with programs delivered as apps like smartphones will be benifical to information consumers or employees with very basic needs.

But as thing stands, until the software developers embrace Windows Store like they should have done back when Windows 8 launched, I’ll stick to my Windows 10 Pro device and continue to enjoy fully packaged applications.