14 DAY TRIAL // Microsoft has unexpectedly shipped Windows 10 Pro builds to Windows insiders running Windows 10 S, with devices automatically upgraded to the more capable version of the operating system.
Launched in 2017 and specifically aimed at the education market but also available for consumers, Windows 10 S is one of the most secure desktop operating systems simply because it’s restricted to apps in the Windows Store, without permissions to install Win32 programs.
On the other hand, this is just a software limitation and Windows 10 S devices can be upgraded to Windows 10 Pro using a built-in feature, with Microsoft itself offering this option free of charge until December 31, 2017 to customers of its Surface Laptop.
Just a labeling issue?
But as it tuns out, the upgrade from Windows 10 S to Windows 10 Pro was performed automatically for a number of Windows insiders without them specifically requesting it, according to a report from Thurrott. This happened to insiders enrolled in the Fast ring, but it’s not yet known how many devices received the upgrade to Pro as part of this blunder.
According to Microsoft’s Brandon LeBlanc, it’s all just a labeling issue, and Windows 10 S insiders haven’t actually received a Windows 10 Pro build that upgraded their devices. Instead, they received a Windows 10 S build that’s incorrectly labeled as Windows 10 Pro, though there are several contradictory reports in this regard.
The cited source says in an update to the original story that some users can install third-party application, and this is only possible if devices were upgraded to Windows 10 Pro. If it’s just a labeling issue, Windows 10 S users shouldn’t be able to install anything else beyond the apps in the Windows Store.
Microsoft is currently investing the problem and will most likely provide more information and a workaround for impacted devices in the coming days.