Windows 10 S might alarm Valve into boosting SteamOS again

So if my gaming rig came with Win10Pro, next build will lock me out of win32 api, unless i pay 49$ ? Or i'll try to use Home edition or maybe turn off Windows Update service or... uhmm i will move full time to linux with my PS4 as gaming backup..

https://www.theverge.com/2018/2/3/16968024/microsoft-windows-10-s-mode-editions-features

I was wondering if SteamOS will jump someday in Wayland, as nothing is flawless some is more than others, X is insecure and someday not so far from today will not be the standard anymore, so, if some company use that as anti SteamOS, devs will just stay on easiest path that desktop gamers are already used to be and Valve will bleed out customers or am I too speculative about that?

Note: I've updated the intro of the article to better reflect my own point vs what the source link contains, hope that clears any miscommunication on my part there.

Quoting: GuestYawn. Propaganda.

See above, hopefully my miss-wording there makes it clearer that's my thought on it, not what is actually said. Also, your attitude continually stinks, please stop.

Quoting: julespetrikov

Quoting: liamdaweWell, the source link also links to this post. In there, it specifically states all versions of Windows will have the S mode. There would be no reason to add the S mode to every single version, if they weren't going to use it to start everyone off in future. It makes perfect sense that Microsoft will have S as the initial thing you see in future. If you think Microsoft wouldn't move like that, you've clearly not seen all the things they've tried in the past.

The entire point is that if Microsoft do move towards this in the desktop space, then it could be a disaster.

Edit: Spelling.

Sure, but "all versions having an S mode" (amazingly stupid naming policy by the way. go microsoft!) doesn't necessarily mean that S mode will be defaulted on all rig or mobile device purchases or will default itself on current rigs; what it really means and the later article you base your own indicates that every Windows version (as in Home and Pro) will have an S mode available.

See above note as well :)

I still think they will eventually attempt a lock-in to their store on desktops, it's the ultimate goal in my opinion. Why wouldn't it be? They want people to use their store, so they get more income. Apple is doing very similar moves.

Edit: Spelling.


Last edited by Liam Dawe on 5 February 2018 at 12:32 pm UTC

Windows 10 S mode seems like a small issue... when compared with the upcoming Windows Polaris. (edit: Which *cannot* be upgraded at all)

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

But yep, I hope this lights a fire under Valve to make a huge push for Linux :) Maybe it's just me, but it does seem like they've been making more updates to Steam OS lately than usual.


Last edited by natewardawg on 5 February 2018 at 12:54 pm UTC

I don't bother with Windows, personally (outside of needing to use it at work), but, I don't think Window's S Mode is of any real issue. The problem is MS has been slowly (and clumsily, most of the time) sliding Windows, and its user base towards a locked in OS. Microsoft is using general user psychology to keep them in MS's own ecosystem (read, store) for as long as possible. They'll let everyone know there's a "free" way out of this lock in, but they know the vast majority won't bother, giving them a numbers win as "evidence" the lock in is what people want.

On the gaming side... MS is tying Windows and XBox together as much as they can. Their new XBox Game Pass (Netflix for XBox games, essentially) is, admittedly, attractive and most definitely another method to lock Gamers into Windows even more.

The truth is... Steam freakin' dropped the ball HARD with Steam OS. They released something only arguably functional that, at this point, only Linux gamers even know still exists as a thing. It definitely doesn't feel like Value has gone out of their way to push "Steam OS" game development. On top of that, as a user mentioned in a post above, Steam OS is NOT an OS as Windows is. Steam OS is for competing with the likes of PS4, XBOne, and Switch, not Windows itself.

The worst part... if it happens... will be Microsoft buying Valve. It seems this is currently under consideration by MS, and IF it happens, that will be the biggest blow to gaming on Linux. Steam will get integrated into the Windows store (and, eventually abandoned on Linux). Steam OS will most definitely be shelved. There will no longer be ANY promotion of Linux as a gaming platform from Value-MS. Sure, there will be some Linux-positive outliers for a time, but, without any BIG name promoting the platform in ANY way... poof.

That's my opinion.

Quoting: GuestYawn. Propaganda. Windows 10 S is to compete against Chromebook. Simple as that. As the article notes, 10 S can be easily unlocked for free to 10 Home which functions as normal.

If MS (or Apple with it's Mac App Store for that matter) tried to lock down Windows to their store only, across the entire range, they'd be sued before they could say "antitrust".

The real interest with SteamOS from publishers, was Steam Machines. They were interested in a console market without the interference and high cost that you get on MS/Sony/Nintendo's console systems, and they initially thought porting the Windows version of titles would be "easy". They were put off by the nonavailability of the hardware, and relatively poor 3D performance.

Windows 10 S is almost outdated, MS is already planning the "Windows Core OS" that is supposed to replace x32_64 with UWP architecture and their Store would be the only place to get sofrware from.


Last edited by MaCroX95 on 5 February 2018 at 1:00 pm UTC

People already accusing and condemning Microsoft for it might or might not (want to) do in the future. Bravo. Also liamdawe, julespetrikov has been nothing but polite in his comments so far, we don't have to agree with him but how does 'his attitude stink'? Simply because he doesn't agree with our worldview?

Quoting: chancho_zombieI'am glad they are doing this! Most Windows users have zero knowledge of security and will run things as administrator, or don't install an antivirus and that sort of things. Since the wannacry and recent botnets spreading all over the world Microsoft needs to take security more seriously. How is it possible that Android or IOS are not infected at same level as windows by botnets?? because you don't run things as root and you can only install things from trusted sources (on Android u can turn that off but that's not default). I know this might be a conservative point of view. But why does stupidity of windows users has to f*ck everyone else?? I know what most of u think, - I don't care I run Linux -. But stupid windows users might as well shutdown half the internet with botnets and DDoS. If you are so stupid of running things as an administrator, and not having a firewall and antivirus you really deserve it.(I mean windows users on linux u can get along without firewall and antivirus).

In an era of exploits where a piece of rogue Javascript can snoop any data in your RAM, limiting what you can install on your operating system hardly seems like the ultimate security solution. And that thing about Android? Yeah, Android malware is a thing and the Play Market is the way it gets on Android devices.

I think there's also a quote out there about trading liberty for security...

Quoting: manus76People already accusing and condemning Microsoft for it might or might not (want to) do in the future. Bravo. Also liamdawe, julespetrikov has been nothing but polite in his comments so far, we don't have to agree with him but how does 'his attitude stink'? Simply because he doesn't agree with our worldview?

I was quoting Jaycee talking about his attitude, not julespetrikov. Replies come after the quote, not before ;)

For a little history Jaycee has had a lot of outburst in our IRC channel (to the point of being banned more than once) for saying some really idiotic anti-Linux stuff.

Quoting: MaCroX95Windows 10 S is almost outdated, MS is already planning the "Windows Core OS" that is supposed to replace x32_64 with UWP architecture and their Store would be the only place to get sofrware from.

Given Microsofts history of being unable to sell backward-incompatible changes well, part of the modular approach will likely be a compatibility layer (though I can imagine it becoming restricted to Pro or Enterprise versions). I guess that's essentially what the optional Win32 module will be.

Generally I'd say that they have little choice about this move. They NEED a version of Windows suitable for mobile devices.