Microsoft’s Windows 10 in S Mode is supposed to be faster, more efficient, and more secure. In my opinion, however, it’s just way too limited to fit my workflow.

Windows 10 S is eerily similar to Chrome OS. Windows 10 S —now Windows 10 "S Mode"— limits users to installing apps only available on the Windows Store.

It’s not clear how simply moving this Windows Store lockdown to a mode will alleviate some of the confusion around Windows 10 S, but perhaps Microsoft will make the unlock process even more obvious.

Microsoft's Windows 10 S FAQ has explained that switching from Windows 10 S to Windows 10 Pro is a one-way switch. It can't be undone, and presumably that could be true for other Windows 10 editions.

Windows 10 S—the restricted version of Windows that can only run apps from the Store —is going away. Currently, Windows 10 S is a unique edition of Windows 10.

The new S Mode will lock down any copy of Windows 10 so it can only run apps from the Microsoft Store, and will work the same way as the dedicated Windows 10 S operating system was built to do ...

Windows 10 S will now become “S mode” in Windows 10 Home, Windows Pro PC and Windows 10 Enterprise, according to a Wednesday blog post from Microsoft corporate vice president Joe Belfiore.

Windows 10 S Mode, for those needing a refresher, is a locked-down mode of the various Windows 10 editions (Home, Pro, Enterprise, and Education) that allows users to run Microsoft Store apps only.

The latest Windows 10 Insider Preview suggests that S Mode is changing again, and this time it looks like it's going to be a regular option that can be set at any time.

We expect the majority of customers to enjoy the benefits of Windows 10 in S mode. If a customer does want to switch out of S mode, they will be able to do so at no charge, regardless of edition.