Microsoft is working on a new cut down version of Windows 10 for the "Redstone 5" feature update of Windows 10. It is called "Windows 10 Lean", starts in Windows 10 S Mode, and currently identifies itself as "Windows 10 CloudE".
This new cut down Windows 10 version doesn't include many basic things. It comes without wallpapers, CD/DVD drivers, and apps like Registry Editor or MMC. Its image is 2 GB smaller than Windows 10 Pro.
As of this writing, the user can just copy the missing apps, e.g. regedit.exe, from another Windows 10 instance, and they will work without issues. The OS has no software restrictions for first-party apps.
Here are some screenshots:
The new edition has started shipping with the release of Windows 10 Build 17650 (RS5), which was recently released to Windows Insiders. It is not clear what Microsoft plans regarding this new edition of Windows 10. Currently, an advantage is that it shrinks the installation size by 2GB in comparison to regular Windows 10 versions.
Source: @tfwboredom
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Does “Windows 10 Lean” also reduces the ram usage?
no
You want the OS to use a fairly decent amount of RAM. That makes it much faster. It doesn’t have to read from the disk.
So in “normal” versions you have to uninstall crapware/spyware and in Lean edition you have to do that plus install regular software. Another MS win.
time will tell.
Does it strip out the telemetry?
Nope.
No surprises there.
Could this be something akin to Windows Embedded Standard 7? I could see this one being used in ATMs and similar devices.
Who know. Quite possible.
Hi, it’s not clear whether WinAero would be able to add not only missing apps on Win 10 Lean but also eventually some critical drivers such as CD/DVD optical and blu-ray. Is this possible?