Surface Laptop SE での Windows 11 SE のハンズオン:EdgeOS によく似ています

Microsoft は、Windows の「特別な」エディションで知られています。 S モードの Windows 10 と S モードの Windows 11 があり、最近、同社は Windows 11 SE を発表しました。このクラウド ファーストの Windows エディションは、教育機関のお客様向けに独自に設計されており、Surface Laptop SE などの低コスト デバイスにのみプリインストールされています。

これは、自分で「購入」してインストールできる Windows のバージョンではありませんが、いくつかの重要な変更を加えて、Windows 11 のパワーと信頼性を提供します。また、Microsoft Intune for Education を使用して、いくつかの簡単な手順で学校向けに Windows 11 SE デバイスをプロビジョニングできるように、IT 管理者の生活を楽にすることを目的としています。

最近、新しい OS を搭載した Surface Laptop SE を購入しましたが、これが "Microsoft EdgeOS" のような感じの Windows のバージョンだと思う理由について、私の考えを以下に示します。

いくつかのメモ

対象は教育機関ですが、Microsoft は Windows 11 SE を搭載したデバイスを購入できるユーザーを制限していません。これらのデバイスは、Microsoft のコンシューマー ストアでは見つけることができませんが、Microsoft のパートナーを通じて Windows 11 SE デバイスを購入することができます。これが、Surface Laptop SE を入手した方法です。

コンシューマとしてこのルートに進むということは、Windows 11 SE の動作が異なることを意味します。この OS は教育機関のお客様向けに設計されており、平均的な消費者や個人的な使用向けではありません。これらの顧客は、Microsoft Intune などのクラウドベースのツールを使用して、学生用に Windows 11 SE デバイスをプロビジョニングしています。このプロビジョニングを通じて、管理者は選択した Microsoft 承認の Win32 および Microsoft Store アプリを学生が使用できるように読み込むことができます。

Without Intune, though, the experience on Windows 11 SE is limited to the pre-installed apps like Edge, Office, Flipgrid, and Minecraft for Education. There are also select system apps like Groove, Photos, Paint, Calculator, News, and To Do.

Though Windows 11 SE supports Microsoft-approved Win32 Microsoft Store apps, you can't install these apps on your own through Windows 11 SE itself. There's no Microsoft Store app, either. Intune is how everything is done. You can see how it compares to other Windows editions above.

Yet signing into a Windows 11 SE device without Intune and with just a Microsoft Account will work just fine, but the experience will be limited. With no Intune, you'll face app and management issues. Microsoft even warns that if you use a Windows 11 SE device for personal use, it might be "too restrictive." Yet, it's those restrictions that make Windows 11 SE unique from the Microsoft fan's and consumer's point of view.

No Widgets

First off, one of the big changes in Windows 11 SE that applies to all users (using Intune or not) is the omission of Widgets. This is one of the signature features in Windows 11, and it gives quick access to news, weather, and other content. Yet in Windows 11 SE, Microsoft removed it for education users for a more distraction-free environment. Pressing Windows Key + W does nothing and the Taskbar doesn't have the icon either. Even the Taskbar settings lack the Widgets setting.

File Explorer behavior

File Explorer in Windows 11 SE behaves very differently from Windows 11's. Instead of opening in a windowed mode, it opens full screen by default. This lets you see more on your screen, with minimum distraction. All apps respect the behavior, too, and will load full screen by default. It makes sense for students, as it can help with focus.

Changes to Snap layouts

Windows 11's other signature feature is Snap layouts. With the feature, you can stack your windows in six different ways for better productivity. In Windows 11 SE, though, Snap Layouts are limited to just two side-by-side options. This reduces the complexity for students, to again help with focus. Note that even on larger monitors, Snap Layouts are limited to just two layouts. Resolution size does not impact the Snap layout limit, and it looks to be baked into Windows 11 SE itself.

Other system limits

Focused on education, Windows 11 SE locks the end-user out of some features in Windows 11. We already mentioned the lack of the Microsoft Store, and installing Win32 apps, but there's more. As an example, you can't get into Command Prompt (though the app is installed.) There's also no Windows PowerShell installed. In addition, you can't even get into the classic Control Panel. It's listed, but clicking it will lead to an error message.

Unlike Windows 10 and Windows 11 in S-mode, Windows 11 SE systems also can't "upgrade" to standard Windows 11 Pro or Home. In one FAQ, Microsoft says there is no way to switch to a different version of Windows from Windows 11 SE.

Yet, it also indicates that should you like to use a Windows 11 SE device for personal use, you can purchase a license of the Windows version you like, erase all data, with the caveat of there being no way back to Windows 11 SE.

And about those app limits. While IT admins can load Win32, UWP, and Microsoft Store apps to Windows 11 SE devices with Intune, there are some limits. There are only 6 approved types of apps for Windows 11 SE.

Any apps that fall outside of those parameters can not be installed on Windows 11 SE. Microsoft says that Windows 11 SE supports a curated set of apps that are chosen based on feedback from educators and IT admins, and is open to supporting new apps by request.

Versus Windows 10 in S mode and Windows in S mode

So how does Windows 11 SE stack up against S-mode Windows versions? Well, as we said so far, Windows 11 SE has a more simplified user interface, there's no Microsoft Store, and there's no way to switch to regular Windows 11. Microsoft also indicates that Windows 11 SE has built-in enhancements to optimize performance on low-end hardware. It says that Windows 11 SE is cloud-first, so it requires less memory and uses a smaller footprint than traditional Windows Pro, so it can perform faster, Another key fact? Windows 11 SE is optimized for institutional use, but Windows 10 in S mode was also available to consumers.

Cloud-first and Edge-first

All that explained, Windows 11 SE (in the way I used it) feels like a Microsoft take on the original version of Chrome OS (which was essentially just a web browser.) So far, in my time with my Surface Laptop SE, it's been a cloud-first device. Files saved locally (when offline) sync up to OneDrive once connected.

In addition, Edge is the way to go on the Laptop SE as without any way to access to installing Chrome via Intune, it's the key to the web. Oh, and speaking of the web, Edge even lets me create PWAs, too. Instagram, Twitter, are just a few examples of what I've created and used.

I definitely won't be editing videos on the Laptop SE, but it feels like a no-nonsense laptop where you can just get work done, with little distraction. Performance has been great on my higher-end model, especially for web browsing. I'll be planning a hands-on video in a few days, and also will be talking about the Laptop SE on the next OnPodcast, so be sure to stay tuned for more!