Microsoft Confirms Windows 10 ‘S Mode’ Upgrades Will Be Free

Microsoft VP Joe Belfiore confirmed on Twitter yesterday that Microsoft would be doing away with Windows 10 S as a standalone iteration of its platform and introducing it as the “S Mode” in Windows 10 proper. It would be available to Windows 10 Home, Enterprise, and Pro customers. While Microsoft hadn’t confirmed it, some reports suggested that Windows 10 Pro customers would have to pay $49 to disable the S Mode. Microsoft has now set the record straight and confirmed that Windows 10 S Mode upgrades will be free for all users regardless of the edition they’re on.

Developed as a Chrome OS competitor in the education market, Windows 10 S was announced last year. It locked down a copy of Windows 10 so that users could only install apps from the Microsoft Store.

It was reported that Microsoft would enable Windows 10 Home users to disable the S Mode for free but would charge $49 to Windows 10 Pro users with S Mode enabled on their devices to get access to the full version of Windows 10 Pro.

Belfiore has confirmed in a blog post that this won’t be the case and that “if a customer does want to switch out of S mode, they will be able to do so at no charge, regardless of edition.” Belfiore also adds that one of the reasons why the company has decided to ditch Windows 10 S in favor of the S Mode is because the naming was confusing for both customers and partners.

It decided to simplify the experience based on that feedback. Starting with the next major Windows 10 update, customers will have the option to purchase a new Windows 10 Home or Windows 10 Pro PC with S mode enabled.

Adnan Farooqui
Categories: Computers
Tags: Microsoft, Windows 10, Windows 10 S