Windows 10 Lean SKU Spotted in Latest Redstone 5 Preview Build

[Chino]

Microsoft is secretly working on a stripped-down version of their Windows 10 operating system. The new 'Windows 10 Lean' SKU is specifically designed for devices where storage space is a luxury. Compared to the Home and Pro SKUs, this 'Lean' version is 2 GB smaller when fully installed. Microsoft didn't achieve this by an act of magic though. They had to eliminate many features and tools like the desktop wallpapers, Registry Editor, Microsoft Management Console, Internet Explorer, and many more. Windows 10 Lean is currently in the development phase. And since Microsoft hasn't officially announced it, there's a good chance that it might not be released.


View at TechPowerUp Main Site

 

[btarunr]

If Lean doesn't have hardware limits or other stupid things like Windows 7 Starter did, it could be a smash hit with enthusiasts.

 

[BadFrog]

Everything else can be taken away but no MMC or registry editor... not sure if I like that idea.

 

[GoldenX]

Why the registry editor? Remove the telemetry engine and you save a lot more than the poor registry editor.
Or use LTSB.

 

[Th3pwn3r]

Everything else can be taken away but no MMC or registry editor... not sure if I like that idea.

Exactly what I thought. Seems like a terrible idea not having Regedit.

 

[FYFI13]

it could be a smash hit with enthusiasts.

And that's why they got rid of registry editor and WMC. I can bet they will make it least popular SKU, probably for cheap netbooks with extremely limited storage. It's Microsoft after all

 

[Shihab]

"It's like a Windows 10 with even less control!"

And that's why they got rid of registry editor and WMC. I can bet they will make it least popular SKU, probably for cheap netbooks with extremely limited storage. It's Microsoft after all

Netbooks are still a thing?
Back then harddrives and low end Atoms were the best the tech could give for the provided constraints, but today, even mediocre phones are Flash equipped with decent processors and heckuva hardware acceleration capabilities to cover the deficit.
Today, Windows does run well on tablets, so hardware requirements aren't the issue here. And while any improvement to the storage/processing efficiency is welcomed, going as extreme as to nix such powerful (and not that much of a space hog) sings less "we want to accommodate your crappy PC," more "we don't want you to tinker with this one."

 

[natr0n]

LTSB is pretty lean.

 

[eidairaman1]

This build is pointless without console/regedit. LTSB is the best option for everyone less you use pointless bloat.

 

[evernessince]

Regedit and the management console doesn't take much space. If Microsoft wanted to save more space they would remove hibernation, the shadow volume service, and the plethora of other services that wouldn't be useful for a vast majority of people. Stop installing bloatware automatically as well.

 

[DeathtoGnomes]

There are so many other features where they could trim the bloat, not useful features mention in the OP.

 

[HimymCZe]

They could at least give it to INSIDERs...

 

[Caring1]

Could it be a replacement for embedded use only?

 

[TheGuruStud]

So still 25GB? Lol. They need to get a clue.

 

[Parn]

Exactly how much disk space can you save by eliminating the regedit.exe? 500KB is a worth saving?

 

[Manoa]

lol microsoft what a noobs 2 GB, I can give you 18 GB smaller windows 7

 

[Vayra86]

Exactly how much disk space can you save by eliminating the regedit.exe? 500KB is a worth saving?

They just go about it 'Mazda Style' - a gram off every Kg - I suppose

It also amazes me how there are new 'versions' of the same OS popping up everywhere when Microsoft sold us W10 with the promise of a single version that's here to stay. Could this get any more ironical... its almost getting easier to pick the right Linux distro

 

[Ruru]

What is MMC? Never (at least knowing that) used that.

lol microsoft what a noobs 2 GB, I can give you 18 GB smaller windows 7

What's an obsolete OS has to do with W10 Lean?

 

[GoldenX]

Obsolete? W10 is the same OS as 7, but with telemetry on top of it.
Internally, Windows is rolling release.

 

[DeathtoGnomes]

What is MMC? Never (at least knowing that) used that.


What's an obsolete OS has to do with W10 Lean?

MMC = Microbloatwaresoft Management Console

Why do you call win 7 obsolete? just because m$ doesnt update it? LOL

 

[trparky]

Because in two years it will be.

 

[Ruru]

MMC = Microbloatwaresoft Management Console

Why do you call win 7 obsolete? just because m$ doesnt update it? LOL

And what is that Management Console? Like I said, I've never used that, at least I think so. At least I don't think I've used that.

7 is like XP few years ago, there were many newer OS:s, but people just kept going on with that ancient OS. Come on, it's over 8½ years old already and won't even support new hardware without tweaking, and getting high-end hardware without support for DX12.. meh, just meh. Hell, even my good old GTX 980 runs DX12 fine.

 

[Shihab]

It also amazes me how there are new 'versions' of the same OS popping up everywhere when Microsoft sold us W10 with the promise of a single version that's here to stay. Could this get any more ironical... its almost getting easier to pick the right Linux distro

I've lost faith in Microsoft's ability to stick to a single strategy when they stopped investing on mobile after buying a mobile brand and shoving mobile-oriented OS down the throats of other platform users...

But honestly, it could be argued that this is more on the level of having different tiers of the same platform. The backend is the same in all (API capabilities, etc), but the front end is simply tiered to give you access the said back end depending on how much you cough up. Very SAAS-esque, if you thought about it.

7 is like XP few years ago, there were many newer OS:s, but people just kept going on with that ancient OS. Come on, it's over 8½ years old already and won't even support new hardware without tweaking, and getting high-end hardware without support for DX12.. meh, just meh. Hell, even my good old GTX 980 runs DX12 fine.

A tool's age is a problem only when the cost of maintaining/using it exceeds the gains. And so far, maintaining a functional, productive Windows 7/8.1 machine isn't much of an issue (except for those who require post-skylake processors/platforms).
And how far has d3d12's market share gone these days? 20-something titles with 5 being exclusives?

 

[biffzinker]

And what is that Management Console? Like I said, I've never used that, at least I think so. At least I don't think I've used that.

Device Manager or Event Viewer, have you used either one at some point?

 

[Ruru]

Device Manager or Event Viewer, have you used either one at some point?
View attachment 100387

In fact, nope.

EDIT: Ah, device manager, hell yeah, since Windows 95.

A tool's age is a problem only when the cost of maintaining/using it exceeds the gains. And so far, maintaining a functional, productive Windows 7/8.1 machine isn't much of an issue (except for those who require post-skylake processors/platforms).
And how far has d3d12's market share gone these days? 20-something titles with 5 being exclusives?

But why stick with some old crap since it doesn't support the new tehnologies? I upgraded my 8.1 Pro to 10 Pro the same day when 10 was launched and I don't have any bad to say about this.

Still, Windows 2000 Pro was and is the best ever (then on that hardware, now on retro hardware).