14 DAY TRIAL // Windows 10 Cloud is Microsoft’s new Windows SKU that would be limited to Windows Store apps, similar to Windows RT, which was released in 2012 on the company’s Surface RT tablet.
And although installing Win32 programs just like on the Home or Pro version will be impossible, it appears that users will be allowed to download Win32 software as long as it’s published in the Windows Store.
In other words, Microsoft is using Windows 10 Cloud as a new method to convince developers to bring their apps in the Windows Store, as otherwise they could miss on an opportunity to tackle a certain share of users choosing this operating system.
Microsoft is already offering the necessary bridges to port Win32 programs to the Windows Store using Project Centennial, but the number of developers who joined the effort so far has been rather small. With Windows 10 Cloud, Microsoft hopes that more devs would do the same thing and users wouldn’t feel the lack of genuine Win32 software support.
Windows Store alternatives
Until more devs bring their apps to the Windows Store, Windows 10 Cloud will use a system that will provide users with alternatives whenever they attempt to install a Win32 program.
In the case of Google Chrome, for example, users who want to install the browser get to see a screen telling them that Microsoft Edge is a better alternative and “is the recommended browser for Windows 10 Cloud.”
“Faster than Google Chrome. Don’t slow down your mojo. Microsoft Edge is up to 20 percent faster than Chrome and 45 percent faster than Firefox. Enjoy faster page loads, your online destinations are only a blink of an eye away,” the message reads.
Microsoft is yet to publicly acknowledge Windows 10 Cloud, even though leaks have already occurred showing that this SKU is currently in an advanced development stage. The Creators Update is due in April, so more information should emerge in the coming weeks.