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Microsoft Now Lets Surface Laptop Owners Revert Back To Windows 10 S (mspoweruser.com)

Posted by BeauHD on from the one-step-forward-two-steps-back dept.

Microsoft is kind enough to offer Surface Laptop users the option to upgrade to Windows 10 Pro for free until later this year if they don't like Windows 10 S, which is installed by default and is only able to run apps or games that are in the Windows Store. The company is taking that generosity one step further by letting users revert back to Windows 10 S if they installed Windows 10 Pro and aren't happy with the performance and battery life. The option to revert back to the default OS wasn't available until now. MSPoweruser reports: Microsoft recently released the official recovery image for the Surface Laptop which will technically let you go back to Windows 10 S on your device but you'll be required to remove all of your files which is a bit frustrating. The recovery image wasn't available a few days after the Surface Laptop started shipping, but it is now available and you can download it to effectively reset your Surface Laptop. The recovery image is 9GB, so make sure you have a good internet connection before downloading the file. It is quite interesting how Microsoft isn't letting users go back to Windows 10 S from Windows 10 Pro without having to completely reset their devices, as the company would want more users to use its new version of Windows 10 for many reasons. Maybe this is something Microsoft will be adding in the future, but for now, we'll just have to do with the recovery image. If you own a Surface Laptop, you can find the recovery image here.

81 comments

  1. Waiting for the MS hate by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny

    You fools will bash Microsoft for giving users a choice in this matter. Even though Microsoft is clearly doing a good thing, I'm just waiting for the rabid and totally irrational hate of Microsoft to show up. Mostly it comes from Democrats, who are obsessed with destroying business and creating more useless regulations. You Democrats should be ashamed of yourself for this predictable response, just like your desperate desire to generate scandals wherever you can create them for our President. Shame on you Democrats, who hate American businesses, American jobs, and the United States.

    1. Re:Waiting for the MS hate by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      A choice between malware and limited malware isn't much of a choice.

    2. Re:Waiting for the MS hate by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      MS offers a choice between shitty OS #1 and shitty OS #2. Awesome.

    3. Re: Waiting for the MS hate by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      It's not our fault you are bad with computers. Calm down.

    4. Re: Waiting for the MS hate by chipschap · · Score: 2

      people who have real work to do and real money to make are laughing at you pathetic freetards.

      I have real work to do, and have been doing real work for many years --- with Linux. It doesn't get in the way, doesn't spy on me, and gives me the tools I need to work efficiently. Windows doesn't even come close to competing with Linux when there is real work to do. (Please note, first person shooters are cool but don't count as real work.)

    5. Re: Waiting for the MS hate by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      I play first person shooters on Linux :). Really though, if I wasn't a gamer, I'd probably move to FreeBSD (from Linux) for my desktop.

      I won one of the surface laptops (work event...). I hope I can get a real OS on it.

      Full disclosure: I work at Microsoft (but of course these views are my own). I'd love to take my surface laptop into work running some BSD or Linux.

    6. Re: Waiting for the MS hate by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Oh yeah, I forgot you need to run your video games and word processor for your high paying call centre job. Let me know when you make a quarter of a million dollars per year like I do administrating Linux servers. You know, servers not dissimilar to the servers you needed to make use of to be able to post your childish whining.

    7. Re: Waiting for the MS hate by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Sure you work there. I totally believe you.

    8. Re: Waiting for the MS hate by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      He spelled centre a non-English way, yet claims he gets paid in dollars. What a douche.

    9. Re: Waiting for the MS hate by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Uh, why is that weird?

      You know MS employs a lot of people... some of them even do technical work and read slashdot!

    10. Re: Waiting for the MS hate by chipschap · · Score: 2

      Full disclosure: I work at Microsoft (but of course these views are my own). I'd love to take my surface laptop into work running some BSD or Linux.

      You, sir, are 100% awesome.

    11. Re: Waiting for the MS hate by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Canada uses both "centre" and dollars, so maybe he's a Canuck? Although I t would mean he makes approx $12k/year USD...

    12. Re: Waiting for the MS hate by mea2214 · · Score: 1

      (Please note, first person shooters are cool but don't count as real work.)

      That's what the boss said.

    13. Re: Waiting for the MS hate by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1

      He spelled centre a non-English way

      centre

      If you had gone to school you might not be illiterate.

    14. Re: Waiting for the MS hate by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Go fetch my coffee, pleb.

    15. Re: Waiting for the MS hate by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Personally I feel a dirty working at MS, but I'm glad someone thinks I'm awesome despite it. Thanks!

    16. Re: Waiting for the MS hate by rtb61 · · Score: 0

      If you code FPSs than that is real work. Hey I hear military and cops train on FPSs again real work. If you are a slacker like me, than you are correct, it's not real work no matter how long you play. M$'s lock in and mass invasion privacy not just in your home but also in every small business you interect with, including and most emphatically against the law, medical services.

      People dump hate on M$ because they deserve it, they are a crap, arrogant company that abuse the customers. We all know exactly who defends M$ online paid trolls.

      --
      Chaos - everything, everywhere, everywhen
    17. Re:Waiting for the MS hate by schleimkeim · · Score: 1

      I'm not bashing Microsoft for giving the user choice. It's the damn worthless Windows 10 S that is bothered by. This castrated piece of 'OS as a Service' bullshit has no reason to even exist.

    18. Re: Waiting for the MS hate by Dantoo · · Score: 1

      As do Australia and New Zealand, Barbados, Fiji, Namibia, Nauru and Singapore, Solomon Islands and Zimbabwe.

      It is doubtful that any of those places appear on US Maps though:

      https://www.youtube.com/watch?...

    19. Re: Waiting for the MS hate by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      So...Windows is a toy.

    20. Re: Waiting for the MS hate by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      He has a better grasp of writing than you...

    21. Re: Waiting for the MS hate by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      But that limited malware didn't run all the latest software and games, only the MS taxed crap in their store.

    22. Re:Waiting for the MS hate by Godwin+O'Hitler · · Score: 1

      I have real work to do and have no choice but to use Windows. But I can choose my version.
      It needs to be one I can rely on to stay stable, stay the same, and stay out of my face.
      Guess which version that isn't.

      --
      No, your children are not the special ones. Nor are your pets.
    23. Re: Waiting for the MS hate by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Uh huh

    24. Re: Waiting for the MS hate by KGIII · · Score: 1

      Hey, now... I have defended Microsoft, multiple times. Not very often, no... But, I have. I don't use their OS but I have defended some of their choices. They don't pay me a damned thing.

      --
      "So long and thanks for all the fish."
    25. Re: Waiting for the MS hate by KGIII · · Score: 1

      Windows ME?

      --
      "So long and thanks for all the fish."
    26. Re: Waiting for the MS hate by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      He spelled centre a non-English way

      centre

      If you had gone to school you might not be illiterate.

      hey slow down... he was speaking of "simplified english"

    27. Re: Waiting for the MS hate by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Uh, umm... someone needs to take their meds

  2. Not news... by JediJorgie · · Score: 1

    This is not news.. If your computer came with a license for a given version of Windows, you have always been able to reinstall that versions of Windows.

    1. Re: Not news... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      As well as install Linux, despite what M$ would like to have you believe.

    2. Re:Not news... by Killall+-9+Bash · · Score: 1

      Misleading article title. "revert" != "reinstall"

      --
      "Prediction: within 10 years, Windows will be a Linux distribution." Me, 7-6-2016
  3. "Back to"? by HalAtWork · · Score: 2

    Why does MS ship one of their own products with the lowest/most limited tier of their OS?

    --
    Twinstiq, game news
    1. Re:"Back to"? by gravewax · · Score: 4, Informative

      because it is meant to be a locked down device AKA apple style for the more clueless users. Their is actually a rather large section of users who would actually benefit far more from having far less choice and more restrictions, yes it isn't something most on this site or other technical users would ever want, but it certainly has a potential market.

    2. Re:"Back to"? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      I am all for it actually, as long as the system includes as many warnings and roadblocks as needed. Examples :

      "Warning! Don't enter contacts in the Contacts applications, else they'll be sent to Microsoft".
      "Warning! Don't enter a date of birth. This is personal and identificatable information". [Enter a date of birth to confirm you're old enough to give your date of birth]
      "Warning! Don't use location services unless absolutely necessary. If you wouldn't tell Stalin, don't tell anyone."
      "Warning! UWP video streaming applications build a profile of everything you've ever watched, with time stamping down to the second or less. Get DVDs or over-the-air broadcasts instead."

    3. Re:"Back to"? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      not everyone is a tinfoil hat wearing retard that gives a shit about any of that.

    4. Re:"Back to"? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1

      the people that benefit from a device like this don't care about any of your warnings and nor should they. what they care about is that they can browse the web, access email and have the machine kept up-to-date with no need of them having to know anything or worry about did they just install a virus. these trump any of the bullshit you just mentioned. Their is a market for wall gardens, obviously it isn't for overly paranoid people like yourself, that doesn't mean the market doesn't exist.

    5. Re:"Back to"? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Oddly some of the people who complain about Microsoft lock down will have no problem buy into Apple eco-system

    6. Re:"Back to"? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      > Why does MS ship one of their own products with the lowest/most limited tier of their OS?

      Because they couldn't get the OEMs to install the OS that no one in their right minds would buy.

    7. Re:"Back to"? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Why wouldn't MS give users the full selection on their devices. This approach makes more sense than shipping only with a high tier OS. I mean we complain enough about bloat as it is but now you're not getting enough bloat?

    8. Re:"Back to"? by iampiti · · Score: 2

      Because they're jealous of iOS and their control over users and 30% cut of every app store sale. They want the same from Windows.
      If you've been following Windows 10 it's pretty obvious they want it to be a mixture of iOS and Android: It's full of publicity (lots of preinstalled crap apps in a Microsoft downloaded ISO, publicity in Windows explorer, lots of bullying to use Microsoft products and services), it spies on the user and they're turning the UI into a touch first mess.
      So they released a version of Windows which can run "legacy" Win32 apps and let the user run programs from wherever they want but they want most people to use the limited, smartphone-OS-like, "S" version.

    9. Re:"Back to"? by stealth_finger · · Score: 1

      not everyone is a tinfoil hat wearing retard that gives a shit about any of that.

      Just because you're paranoid doesn't mean they're not after you.

      --
      Wanna buy a shirt?
      https://www.redbubble.com/people/stealthfinger/shop?asc=u
    10. Re:"Back to"? by DrXym · · Score: 1
      If that's the fear then you release a single version of the operating system with a switch marked "Advanced mode" which you're asked to enable during setting if you want all the scary stuff.

      Even so, Windows S is just the thin end of a very large wedge ultimately intended to separate users from the freedom to choose where they get their software from.

    11. Re:"Back to"? by Killall+-9+Bash · · Score: 1

      More to the point: Just because you're not paranoid doesn't mean they're not after you.

      --
      "Prediction: within 10 years, Windows will be a Linux distribution." Me, 7-6-2016
    12. Re:"Back to"? by david_thornley · · Score: 1

      There at least used to be classes of apps not available on iOS, but there were and are a tremendous variety of apps available for pretty much any sort of thing not proscribed. The App Store came along about a year after the iPhone, and has always been how apps get on an iPhone.

      I'd be surprised to find that the Windows Store had anywhere near the variety and quality of apps that the App Store has, and Windows users are used to being able to install software from anywhere.

      --
      "When you have eliminated the unacceptable, whatever is left, however improbable, must be the truthiness" - Holmes
    13. Re:"Back to"? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      ohh goody.. I can get spied on .. AND have limited functionality! YES!

  4. Surface vs. NFL by turkeydance · · Score: 1

    scoreboard

  5. Shouldn't "Pro" be better than "S" by mykepredko · · Score: 2

    Unless "S" stands for "Supreme", but from what I've seen written about it before, I thought "S" was Microsoft's answer to ChromeOS.

    I can understand battery life being poorer for "Pro" if it gives better performance, but there's an issue of performance AND battery life. After re-RFTA, I'm guessing "performance" isn't just speed but again, whatever the measure, I would expect it to be better in "Pro" than "S".

    There is a serious amount of complacency within Microsoft if they think that product rollouts like this are acceptable and won't a) confuse and b) anger their customers.

    --
    Mimetics Inc. Twitter
    1. Re: Shouldn't "Pro" be better than "S" by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Some people need 4k just to see all the toolbars they blindly accepted during the "click stuff to make install go go now now want free movies" phase of fake plug in downloads.

    2. Re:Shouldn't "Pro" be better than "S" by Tough+Love · · Score: 1

      There is a serious amount of complacency within Microsoft if they think that product rollouts like this are acceptable and won't a) confuse and b) anger their customers.

      I don't see anything wrong with confusing/angering Windows shee... err, sorry, customers. After all, they created this monster. I can only conclude that they enjoy getting it continuously up the back door. Sort of like right to suicide... no problem if you don't hurt anyone else while you're doing it.

      --
      When all you have is a hammer, every problem starts to look like a thumb.
    3. Re: Shouldn't "Pro" be better than "S" by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Wow, you're really turning me on. Let's meet somewhere private now and make butt babies.

    4. Re: Shouldn't "Pro" be better than "S" by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Peanut butta jelly tiiiiime

    5. Re:Shouldn't "Pro" be better than "S" by UnknownSoldier · · Score: 1

      > Unless "S" stands for "Supreme",

      "S" stands for sub-par stripped-down shit because (almost) no one wants Microsoft's crappy, small OS.

      > I can understand battery life being poorer for "Pro" if it gives better performance,

      Allegedly

      There are far fewer programs running in the background. According to Microsoft, a laptop running Windows 10 S loads a user profile (including apps and preferences) 15 seconds faster than an identical laptop running Windows 10 Pro.

  6. Not enough choice by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    This isn't enough choice. The government should be cracking down on Microsoft because they're not making various distributions of Linux also available for the Surface. They shouldn't be allowed to bundle Windows with the Surface and not give users a real choice. It's anticompetitive behavior. They should be forced to also give users copoes of Linux distributions along with Windows 10 so they have an opportunity to install Ubuntu, Debian, RHEL, Fedora, and Slackware. Microsoft should be heavily criticizes for the false choice they're offering to users.

  7. If anyone wants to try out my Windows Store game by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    It's called Blade Master of Mibu. I hoped that since there's a lack of games/ apps that mine would get noticed but didn't turn out that way.

  8. Quite interesting... or, really expected? by MonkeyBob · · Score: 3, Interesting

    "It is quite interesting how Microsoft isn't letting users go back to Windows 10 S from Windows 10 Pro without having to completely reset their devices".

    Makes perfect sense to me. 10S is locked to the windows store, so who knows what sort of crap you might have installed on there before reverting to Win10. A full reinstall is really the only way to ensure that you dont have any lingering shit.

    --
    // TODO: Add comments
    1. Re:Quite interesting... or, really expected? by janoc · · Score: 1

      You mean someone actually buys a *laptop* that is locked to only Windows Store?

      What would be the point of doing that? If I buy a Windows laptop, I want to be able to run my own applications, not only what is in the Store (which isn't a lot).

      This is not a laptop but a locked down disposable tablet with a keyboard (even the battery isn't replaceable - talk about planned obsolescence!)

    2. Re:Quite interesting... or, really expected? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      I assume the price would be lower. Perhaps low enough for some to buy when they wouldn't? I don't know, I'm just giving an obvious scenario.

    3. Re:Quite interesting... or, really expected? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      It forces developers to release on the Windows Store, nothing more.

  9. Is like having a GOOGLE Chromebook by williamyf · · Score: 1

    And, in the chromebook, having the option to go to a GNU/Linux full distro for full flexibility and Application Support...

    And go back to GOOGLE ChromeOS if you do not like the complexity of the command line, and the multitude of choices for UI/WindowManager/InitSystem/Systemd/PulseAudio/ALSA...

    And the security implications of downloading applications from anywhere not vetted in the store...

    Think Grandma, or a technicaly inclined father that gets bored playing with the "Linux on chromebook" and decides to give it as a hand me down to its infant child.

    As per data colection: What part of GOOGLE ChromeOS was not clear?

    Pretty much the same stuff

    --
    *** Suerte a todos y Feliz dia!
    1. Re: Is like having a GOOGLE Chromebook by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Hardly the 'same stuff'. On of these companies makes their money on the back of selling the user to advertisers tracking your every action. The other one sells software and services to companies and consumers. Don't buy into the /. FUD. Constant preoccupation with windows telemetry as Spyware is designed to draw focus away from Google. This community are willful idiots to them because they pretend to be allies of the FOSS movement.

    2. Re: Is like having a GOOGLE Chromebook by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Not really. One can hate MS, Google, Apple, and your mom equally.

  10. "Revert Back" is a tautology by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Just makes me chuckle remembering all the times my father would chastise me for saying that exact phrase.

    1. Re:"Revert Back" is a tautology by Dave+Whiteside · · Score: 1

      +1 it grates !

      --
      who where what when now?
  11. Re:If anyone wants to try out my Windows Store gam by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    >Windows Store Game

    lollllll slashdot does still serve up the yucks from time to time oh my sides

  12. Re:If anyone wants to try out my Windows Store gam by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    despite being the wrong place to post this, it's actually not bad (at least the android version I'm trying)

  13. This is a laptop not a tablet by HalAtWork · · Score: 1

    So no. And even then this is the high end Microsoft offering meant for real work, not third parties scrapping it out for attention at the lowest price.

    --
    Twinstiq, game news
    1. Re:This is a laptop not a tablet by gravewax · · Score: 1

      no it isn't a high end offering at all, it is the lower cost offering meant as a home or student machine. the high end offerings are the pro's and the surface books which do come with pro version.

    2. Re:This is a laptop not a tablet by HalAtWork · · Score: 1

      $900-$1000 for the lower cost offering? What? That's going to flop if they're going after the Chromebook market.

      --
      Twinstiq, game news
  14. Give with one hand, take with the other by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Since the Windows 10 Creators update landed you can't use MS-IE to get .isos from the MSDN Subscriber portal without it crashing about 50-100MB into the download. I guess they really want to push people to Edge.

  15. Windows 10 "Shit" edition... by gweihir · · Score: 1

    Well, MS seems to have learned some honesty finally.

    --
    Most ACs are not even worth the keystrokes to insult them. Be generically insulted by this and ignored otherwise.
    1. Re:Windows 10 "Shit" edition... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      I thought all editions of Windows 10 were the shit edition.

    2. Re:Windows 10 "Shit" edition... by gweihir · · Score: 1

      The other ones only implicitly....

      --
      Most ACs are not even worth the keystrokes to insult them. Be generically insulted by this and ignored otherwise.
  16. Could I revert back to XP please? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    It is the best Windows yet!

  17. Generosity by StormReaver · · Score: 1

    The company is taking that generosity one step further....

    Or put another way: the Mob enforcer generously allowed your broken leg to partially heal before he broke the other one.

    Microsoft and generosity do not mix.

  18. One must be pretty retarded to use Microsoft's pro by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    One must be pretty retarded to use Microsoft's products...
    And have no dignity at all.

  19. So all three will be happy by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Who in their right mind would go back to 10S from Windows Pro?