14 DAY TRIAL // Microsoft has recently announced that it’s killing off the Microsoft Store version of Microsoft Teams next month, technically forcing users of Windows 10 S (now officially called Windows 10 in S Mode) to switch to the browser-based version.
The news is surprising, to say the least, especially given Microsoft’s push for Windows 10 S, but in a support document, the company explains that users running this OS version need to migrate to a different client before November 29.
“Effective November 29, 2018, you'll no longer be able to use the Microsoft Teams for Windows 10 S (Preview) app, available from the Microsoft Store. We recommend that you use one of the Teams apps described below in this article after November 29,” the company says.
The Teams apps “described below,” however, include desktop, web, and mobile clients, and out of these three, the only option for Windows 10 S users is the web. This means running Microsoft Teams in the browser will be the only way to go for those whose devices are powered by this platform.
Windows 10 in S Mode
Windows 10 in S Mode is limited to the Microsoft Store, so without a Teams client published here, users don’t have too many options to connect to the service.
This particular OS version is marketed by Microsoft as the most secure flavor of Windows 10 because apps published on the Microsoft Store are fully secure and immune against malware.
Users whose devices are powered by Windows 10 S can also upgrade to Windows 10 Home or Pro and run the desktop client of the app. Depending on device, the upgrade can be either free or offered with a small charge.
Microsoft Teams for Windows 10 S app has never been too popular, and at this point, it has a 2.5 rating with no less than 53 percent of the reviewers giving it one out of five stars.