As part of the Windows 10 Redstone 5 development, Microsoft will be adding a new edition called “Windows 10 Lean,” which will be available for devices with low storage capacity.
The reference of the new edition was first discovered in the test preview of Windows 10 (build 17650d) by Lucan on Twitter, and the installation is around 2GB smaller, compared to a Windows 10 Pro installation.
It appears that Microsoft is able to make the installation smaller removing certain legacy components and utilities that are usually not required on budget computers. For example, Internet Explorer, and built-in apps like Paint, Photos, Movies & TV, Groove Music, Maps, and many others.
In addition, you won’t even find the Registry editor or the Microsoft Management Console (MMC) among other components.
Although “Windows 10 Lean” sounds likes “Windows Core OS,” the modular version of the OS that removes legacy app (win32) support and install components based on the hardware, it’s not, because the Lean edition still includes support for the win32 environment.
According to a report from The Verge, sources familiar to the plans reveal that Microsoft will be offering Windows 10 Lean to computer manufacturers to load onto very low-cost devices, such as tablets and laptops.
While we’re not expecting to see a new wave of devices with almost not storage, unless Microsoft is secretly planning to compete with Chromebooks at the same level, Windows Central also reported that this edition will be targeted for devices with 16GB of storage ensuring continuity of updates.
Microsoft isn’t sharing any details at this moment, but it’s expected that the company will reveal more information about the future of Windows 10 and this new edition during its Build developer conference happening in May 2018.
What are your thoughts about Windows 10 Lean? Let us know in the comments.
Mauro Huculak is a Windows expert and the Editor-in-Chief who started Pureinfotech in 2010 as an independent online publication. He is also been a Windows Central contributor for nearly a decade. Mauro has over 12 years of experience writing comprehensive guides and creating professional videos about Windows, software, and related technologies, including Android and Linux. Before becoming a technology writer, he was an IT administrator for seven years. In total, Mauro has over 20 years of combined experience in technology. Throughout his career, he achieved different professional certifications from Microsoft (MSCA), Cisco (CCNP), VMware (VCP), and CompTIA (A+ and Network+), and he has been recognized as a Microsoft MVP for many years. You can follow him on X (Twitter), YouTube, LinkedIn and About.me.