Windows 10 S has an 'Edge' over browsing

Microsoft unveiled a simpler and stripped-out version of Windows 10 at an event in New York yesterday. The Windows 10 S seems to be Microsoft’s direct dig at Google’s Chromebooks as well as Apple’s Macbook Air. While most of the deductions from the full Windows 10 version have been done to ensure fast computing, there is one compromise that looks like a marketing attack on rival software companies. The Edge browser will be the “only” default browser on Windows 10 S machines.

Microsoft has only allowed the use of its Edge browser as the default one on a Windows 10 S computer. Users will be able to use other web browsers from the Windows Store for their specific browsing needs. But, there is no way as of now to allow links open in any other browser other than Microsoft Edge.

Now, this is a dangerous decision on Microsoft’s part to implement for a product that has to carry the company’s hopes of beating the Chromebook and MacBook at its own game. If you are a Windows 10 user or have used the new OS at least once, you must have noticed the Windows Store lacking most of the renowned apps. Especially, there’s no Google Chrome on offer in the Windows Store. This could count as a major drawback for the baby Windows 10.

You cannot download the Chrome browser from Google as the EXE applications are not supported. If you want to use an EXE application as a Windows 10 S user, you will have the option to upgrade to a full version of Windows. The dilemma for the user will be – should he upgrade to the full version of the OS for EXE apps compatibility and compromise the claimed long battery life as well as faster bootup times on the Windows 10 S? That is a question the user will have to figure out.

That said, the Edge browser is constantly improving and has been noticed to be faster as well as power efficient on Windows 10 mobile devices like notebooks and laptops. Windows 10 S users shouldn’t have much of a problem using Edge as their primary browser even when it comes to productivity. Maybe the Windows 10 S ecosystem is best for students who use their computers for word processing and simple internet browsing.