Microsoft는 Windows의 "특별" 에디션으로 유명합니다. Windows 10 S 모드와 Windows 11 S 모드가 있으며 최근에는 Windows 11 SE를 발표했습니다. 이 클라우드 최초 Windows 버전은 교육 고객을 위해 특별히 설계되었으며 Surface Laptop SE와 같은 저가 기기에만 사전 설치되어 제공됩니다.
직접 "구입"하여 설치할 수 있는 Windows 버전은 아니지만 몇 가지 주요 변경 사항을 포함하여 Windows 11의 성능과 안정성을 제공합니다. 또한 IT 관리자가 Microsoft Intune for Education을 사용하여 몇 가지 간단한 단계를 거쳐 학교용 Windows 11 SE 장치를 프로비저닝할 수 있도록 지원하기 위한 것입니다.
최근에 새 OS와 함께 제공되는 Surface Laptop SE를 구입했는데 "Microsoft EdgeOS"처럼 느껴지는 Windows 버전이라고 생각하는 이유에 대한 제 생각입니다.
몇 가지 메모
교육이 의도된 대상이지만 Microsoft는 Windows 11 SE가 설치된 장치를 구입할 수 있는 사람을 제한하지 않습니다. Microsoft의 자체 소비자 매장에서는 이러한 장치를 찾을 수 없지만 Microsoft 파트너를 통해 Windows 11 SE 장치를 구입할 수 있습니다. 이것이 제가 Surface Laptop SE를 얻은 방법입니다.
소비자로서 이 길을 간다는 것은 Windows 11 SE가 다르게 작동한다는 것을 의미합니다. OS는 일반 소비자나 개인 용도가 아닌 교육 고객을 위해 설계되었습니다. 이러한 고객은 Microsoft Intune과 같은 클라우드 기반 도구를 사용하여 학생용 Windows 11 SE 장치를 프로비저닝합니다. 이러한 프로비저닝을 통해 관리자는 학생이 사용할 Microsoft 승인 Win32 및 Microsoft Store 앱을 로드할 수 있습니다.
그러나 Intune이 없으면 Windows 11 SE의 경험은 Edge, Office, Flipgrid 및 Minecraft for Education과 같은 사전 설치된 앱으로 제한됩니다. 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!