Microsoft to Bring 'S Mode' to Existing Windows 10 Versions in 2019

Microsoft is set to move Windows 10 S from a dedicated operating system to merely a mode for existing Windows 10 versions in 2019. The new development, which was initially a part of the rumour mill, has now been confirmed by Microsoft VP Joe Belfiore. The Redmond giant launched Windows 10 S in May last year as a lightweight version of Windows 10 - targeting schools and other institutions - to take on Google's Chrome OS.

Belfiore, in a tweet on Wednesday, said, "Next year, 10 S will be a 'mode' of existing versions, not a distinct version." By switching to the new 'S Mode', your Windows 10 system will no longer be able to install apps from any third-party sources and will instead only accept apps from Microsoft Store. Also, the apps will run in a limited nature, just as they perform operations on Windows 10 S operating system.

The tweet posted by Belfiore also confirms that Microsoft is planning to bring the S Mode to all existing Windows 10 versions, including Windows 10 Home, Enterprise, and Pro. It was previously rumoured that Windows 10 Home users with the by default enabled S Mode will be able to switch to the full-fledged Windows 10 Home for free, while the users with S Mode will need to pay $49 to get access to Windows 10 Pro.

It is worth pointing out here that Windows 10 S machines already have the option to switch to a full Windows 10 version. Microsoft even last year offered a chance to all Windows 10 S users to upgrade to Windows 10 Pro for free. That free upgrade was recently extended until March 2018.