Microsoft is now expanding the reach of Windows 10 S beyond education to include so-called “front-line workers” in the enterprise.

There’s not a lot of information about this initiative yet. But here’s what I know so far.

First, three PC makers—Fujitsu, HP, and Lenovo—have agreed to sell inexpensive, Windows 10-based PCs to businesses. Prices start at $275. These PCs will be just as low-end as the education-based Windows 10 PCs that various PC makers announced in the spring. But more expensive and more capable versions will be offered too, closing the gap with Microsoft’s expensive Surface Laptop.

Microsoft refers to these PCs as being “Microsoft 365-powered,” suggesting that those businesses that subscribe to Microsoft 365 F1, which is likewise aimed at front-line workers, will be able to use Windows 10 S instead of Windows 10 Business or Enterprise, as has been the case so far.

The front-line worker bit is interesting. Obviously, Windows 10 S is not acceptable to most IT workers, so limiting the audience in this way makes sense.

And while it’s unclear if this announcement is tied to Windows 10 S, it appears that new Windows 10 capabilities around remote PC deployment and management will, in fact, support Windows 10 S too. Meaning that Microsoft is doing work to make this offering more acceptable to IT.

I’ve not seen any of these new PCs yet, but this is one of the Ignite announcements that I’ll be examining further this week

Tagged with Windows 10 S