Microsoft has unveiled a new version of Windows in a bid to rival Google’s Chromebook.
A “new flavour” of the flagship operating system, Windows 10 S looks like the current version, but can only run apps and programs downloaded from the Windows Store.
It has been designed to make sure computers maintain their original speed and battery life for longer, Microsoft’s chief executive Satya Nadella said.
The company said the new “walled” version of its software should help computers to “run as well as it does on day one as it does on day 1,000” by controlling how applications work.
One of the main reasons Windows computers slow down and lose battery life over time is that invasive software can launch on startup and load code into the memory. In the more secure Windows 10 S all apps are managed and installed through “containers” on the store.
“Windows over the years has been a very open platform meaning people can install software that writes across the Windows environment,” said Nadella. “By ensuring apps can only be installed through the store it gives a very managed environment and ensures consistent performance.”
