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Windows 10 S might alarm Valve into boosting SteamOS again

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You might have heard of Microsoft's latest plans (source) to keep people on their own store, with a locked down Windows 10 S mode to be available on all versions of Windows. This is easily a first step towards Windows 10 S being the first version of Windows that users see.

Windows 10 S is essentially a version of Windows 10 that's locked into the Windows Store with Universal Windows Platform (UWP) apps, so you can't really run traditional applications like Steam and so on.

This goes directly back to how Gabe Newell of Valve and plenty of other developers felt about Windows 8. With Newell saying "I think Windows 8 is a catastrophe for everyone in the PC space.". There's also Croteam CTO Alen Ladavac who wasn't too pleased with it either, he's now tweeted about this latest issue from Microsoft to say " 'I told you so' doesn't quite cut it. :P". Ladavac also said in a reply "Think about it - if apps need to be adapted for UWP, it might be wiser to just adapt them for OSX/Linux instead.".

It makes sense too, if Microsoft is determined to make Windows more locked-down over time, that's not really good for anyone. Actually investing into Linux gaming, where you have far more control opens you up to many more opportunities.

Apparently, Windows 10 S can be upgraded to a "normal" version of Windows 10 Home for free, but the problem is that Microsoft has said around 60% don't even bother to do the upgrade keeping them locked into the Windows Store.

I hope Valve is keeping an eye on this, and it should certainly make Linux and SteamOS quite attractive again for them. There's good reasons why Valve has kept SteamOS around and plans like this from Microsoft (even if they fall through) will happen again and again. If Microsoft fail, they will wait a while and try it another way.

How long will it be until you have to pay to upgrade to Windows 10 Home, how long before the Home edition doesn't exist? Many questions—questions which should probably alarm people.

Thanks for the tip kellerkindt. Note: Article intro updated after publishing to better reflect my own point.

Article taken from GamingOnLinux.com.
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124 comments
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Liam Dawe Feb 6, 2018
Just wanted to say thanks for all the feedback :)

Quoting: 14I see this S version as a separate offering. I don't think anybody needs to get scared or spread a doom message to their poor Windows friends.
Did you read the source? It previously was a separate SKU, now it's going to be included with all versions of Windows.

Quoting: 14Other articles of this type on this site have been a bit more reasonable than this one. This one feels a little... slash-dot-ie.
I literally have no idea what "slash-dot-ie" is even supposed to mean.

Quoting: GrazenUnderstood, my point is just that the next version of Windows - now called Windows Core OS (not related to the Core OS that Red Hat just bought) - will be a massive upgrade similar to the upgrade to Windows NT 20 years ago. This will be a bigger threat than Windows 10 S - and Liam's article as a result is already dated. The threat however, is even bigger than the hyperbole in his article.
The article is based on a source that's only a few days old (how is that "already dated"?), that has new information on how Windows 10 S will work. Again, like I said above, it's going to be included with all versions of Windows.

As for "hyperbole". The only part of that article that could even remotely be classed as that is the end of it, but those are future possibilities. I didn't say they actual will happen, I said they're questions.

Editorials are opinion pieces, it's from my personal perspective and meant as a talking point, do keep that in mind folks. If you don't agree, that's fine :)
Grazen Feb 6, 2018
Quoting: liamdaweJust wanted to say thanks for all the feedback :)

Quoting: 14I see this S version as a separate offering. I don't think anybody needs to get scared or spread a doom message to their poor Windows friends.
Did you read the source? It previously was a separate SKU, now it's going to be included with all versions of Windows.

Quoting: 14Other articles of this type on this site have been a bit more reasonable than this one. This one feels a little... slash-dot-ie.
I literally have no idea what "slash-dot-ie" is even supposed to mean.

Quoting: GrazenUnderstood, my point is just that the next version of Windows - now called Windows Core OS (not related to the Core OS that Red Hat just bought) - will be a massive upgrade similar to the upgrade to Windows NT 20 years ago. This will be a bigger threat than Windows 10 S - and Liam's article as a result is already dated. The threat however, is even bigger than the hyperbole in his article.
The article is based on a source that's only a few days old (how is that "already dated"?), that has new information on how Windows 10 S will work. Again, like I said above, it's going to be included with all versions of Windows.

As for "hyperbole". The only part of that article that could even remotely be classed as that is the end of it, but those are future possibilities. I didn't say they actual will happen, I said they're questions.

Editorials are opinion pieces, it's from my personal perspective and meant as a talking point, do keep that in mind folks. If you don't agree, that's fine :)

I see the threat as severe because Windows Core OS will bring obvious useful benefits to users, unlike Windows 10 S, which is built on Windows 10 Pro and then hobbled. There is little to no reason for anyone to want 10S, but there will be performance, useability, compatibility and other benefits to Windows Core OS. If there are benefits, users will eventually migrate to it. There will be no migration to 10 S.
Grazen Feb 6, 2018
Quoting: Grazen
Quoting: liamdaweJust wanted to say thanks for all the feedback :)

Quoting: 14I see this S version as a separate offering. I don't think anybody needs to get scared or spread a doom message to their poor Windows friends.
Did you read the source? It previously was a separate SKU, now it's going to be included with all versions of Windows.

Quoting: 14Other articles of this type on this site have been a bit more reasonable than this one. This one feels a little... slash-dot-ie.
I literally have no idea what "slash-dot-ie" is even supposed to mean.

Quoting: GrazenUnderstood, my point is just that the next version of Windows - now called Windows Core OS (not related to the Core OS that Red Hat just bought) - will be a massive upgrade similar to the upgrade to Windows NT 20 years ago. This will be a bigger threat than Windows 10 S - and Liam's article as a result is already dated. The threat however, is even bigger than the hyperbole in his article.
The article is based on a source that's only a few days old (how is that "already dated"?), that has new information on how Windows 10 S will work. Again, like I said above, it's going to be included with all versions of Windows.

As for "hyperbole". The only part of that article that could even remotely be classed as that is the end of it, but those are future possibilities. I didn't say they actual will happen, I said they're questions.

Editorials are opinion pieces, it's from my personal perspective and meant as a talking point, do keep that in mind folks. If you don't agree, that's fine :)

I see the threat as severe because Windows Core OS will bring obvious useful benefits to users, unlike Windows 10 S, which is built on Windows 10 Pro and then hobbled. There is little to no reason for anyone to want 10S, but there will be performance, useability, compatibility and other benefits to Windows Core OS. If there are benefits, users will eventually migrate to it. There will be no migration to 10 S.

Here is a link discussing WCOS:

https://www.windowscentral.com/understanding-windows-core-os-and-polaris

Note that WCOS is not Windows S.
qptain Nemo Feb 6, 2018
Quoting: GrazenHere is a link discussing WCOS:

https://www.windowscentral.com/understanding-windows-core-os-and-polaris

Note that WCOS is not Windows S.
That is hilarious. They're literally selling... Linux. The Linux paradigm. All the best Linux features. (Closed platform bits aside) Brilliant.
tuubi Feb 6, 2018
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Quoting: qptain Nemo
Quoting: GrazenHere is a link discussing WCOS:

https://www.windowscentral.com/understanding-windows-core-os-and-polaris

Note that WCOS is not Windows S.
That is hilarious. They're literally selling... Linux. The Linux paradigm. All the best Linux features. (Closed platform bits aside) Brilliant.
Don't worry. This is just marketing. The actual implementation will have the worst Windows "features" broken into nifty little modules. Still a steaming pile of crap, but you get to pick and choose the nuggets.
Guest Feb 6, 2018
Quoting: tuubi
Quoting: qptain Nemo
Quoting: GrazenHere is a link discussing WCOS:

https://www.windowscentral.com/understanding-windows-core-os-and-polaris

Note that WCOS is not Windows S.
That is hilarious. They're literally selling... Linux. The Linux paradigm. All the best Linux features. (Closed platform bits aside) Brilliant.
Don't worry. This is just marketing. The actual implementation will have the worst Windows "features" broken into nifty little modules. Still a steaming pile of crap, but you get to pick and choose the nuggets.

They can't design the worst part out: Microsoft company politics. It's woven into everything they do.
Mohandevir Feb 6, 2018
Quoting: tuubi
Quoting: qptain Nemo
Quoting: GrazenHere is a link discussing WCOS:

https://www.windowscentral.com/understanding-windows-core-os-and-polaris

Note that WCOS is not Windows S.
That is hilarious. They're literally selling... Linux. The Linux paradigm. All the best Linux features. (Closed platform bits aside) Brilliant.
Don't worry. This is just marketing. The actual implementation will have the worst Windows "features" broken into nifty little modules. Still a steaming pile of crap, but you get to pick and choose the nuggets.

Will we discover that it is based on Microsoft's custom Linux distribution and that Miux really exists? Lol!


Last edited by Mohandevir on 6 February 2018 at 4:17 pm UTC
wvstolzing Feb 6, 2018
Quoting: MohandevirWill we discover that it is based on Microsoft's custom Linux distribution and that Miux really exists? Lol!

They were a Unix vendor in the early '80s. Maybe they've kept a clandestine Xenix division all along -- only now, they're emerging from the shadows.

EDIT -- Seriously, though, although the GPL (not just v3 but v2 also) wouldn't allow anyone to 'secretly' release a Linux-based OS, I suppose they can build everything on top of BSD, *keep it a secret*, and get away with it, right? I mean, the licensing would permit that.


Last edited by wvstolzing on 6 February 2018 at 5:09 pm UTC
pete910 Feb 6, 2018
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I feel like I should chip in and say something, But!

I really don't give a **** what Microsoft do tbh. Unfortunately the vast majority of the user base will allow them to do as they please like normal. Yes a few will scream but ultimately will cede to MS will

The small number of us that are aware of what they are doing will make no difference in the end.

And before every jumps on me and says "but you should care..blah, blah"

I DON'T CARE BECAUSE IT WILL MAKE NO DIFFERENCE IN THE END!!!!!!!!!!!!

Unfortunately!
14 Feb 6, 2018
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Quoting: liamdaweDid you read the source? It previously was a separate SKU, now it's going to be included with all versions of Windows.

That doesn't change my opinion about it. That's a change of distribution method.

Quoting: liamdaweI literally have no idea what "slash-dot-ie" is even supposed to mean.
I was referring to the https://slashdot.org/ website, where the quality of news posts greatly varies since it's open to all to post.

Quoting: liamdaweEditorials are opinion pieces, it's from my personal perspective and meant as a talking point, do keep that in mind folks. If you don't agree, that's fine :)

Sure, and that's what I was doing -- talking about the point.
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