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> Windows 10 S, announced last week, allows users to install only apps that are distributed through the Windows Store. What if I want to compile and run my own

> Windows 10 S, announced last week, allows users to install only apps that are distributed through the Windows Store. What if I want to compile and run my own executables? How does this restriction work?

iplaw 9y ago
Likely signing by Microsoft? Based on what I've read, you will not be able to run your own executables. This is a big issue for University students who are often required to install textbook-sourced software for labs, class participation, etc. Perhaps if you install a Visual Studio app from the Windows Store and use that to generate an executable, it will somehow sign the executable? Meta: At what point does the post rate limit get lifted? If I post a couple of comments while browsing the articles and then attempt to reply to a comment with a question, I have already somehow hit the rate limit and I am blocked from posting for a few hours. It seems like there should be an exception for replying to a question on my own comment.
- youdontknowtho 9y ago
  Its a combination of signing and app packaging. The technologies to look into are APPX, app container, and the Centennial Bridge. Basically, any application can be included in the store. They are using application virtualization from a prior product called APP-V to protect the system from applications tampering with important pieces. It's long over due. It also provides a unified way to update applications through the store. The store is how they distribute the Ubuntu userland that they ship with WSL...it's very capable. Up until now they only let people publish a very narrow selection of applications to the store. That strategy failed and now they are going to start pushing Win32 developers to take advantage of the new servicing and packaging system. It really is very good. I really, really, hope that this doesn't get shot down by herp-a-derp style Microsoft hate.
  - rootlocus 9y ago
    If, for instance, I build my game with Unity, and would like to distribute this alpha build to friends to test it before it ships, how would I do that?
    - youdontknowtho 9y ago
      They have ways to do that. You would have to check with the store. Also, this doesn't mean that if your friends are using Windows 10 home or pro that they won't be able to install Appx packages. They can. Seriously, it's just a zip file with a manifest. On home/pro and up, users can install Appx packages by double clicking them. Only Windows 10 S has the restriction that all software installs have to use the store. The thing to watch will be the way that Windows 10 S actually maintains performance and security in ways that the other versions of Win10 can't. As long as users can install services or device drivers as part of an install it's always going to have the same problems. For something to change it actually has to change. We all know that Windows installers do dumb sh1t. Appx packages run with the same performance and have the same power as normal win32 apps. The only thing they can't do is modify the system in dangerous ways. Also, there is an Appx for Servers that is being used for Nano server. It does allow service installation and more serious modification of the system...because it has to. It's still a great packaging technology even if you don't use the store or other elements of their plan.
- rem7 9y ago
  Maybe some sort of self signed cert that only that machine will be able to run your executable?
- h_r 9y ago
  One option, from the article: If people would like to access apps from other stores and services, they can switch to Windows 10 Pro at any time.
  - marksomnian 9y ago
    For $50.
  - majewsky 9y ago
    There's a huge difference between "let students run wild and install any shit" and "publish a whitelist of allowed non-UWP apps via group policy".
- ungzd 9y ago
  > This is a big issue for University students who are often required to install textbook-sourced software for labs, class participation, etc. They will be able to code in Visual Basic for Applications. Why teach ancient languages for 70s mainframes in universities? Universities should prepare people for modern offices. Even MIT dropped Lisp long time ago. Why teach multiplication of columns of numbers when you can teach automated Mail Merge in MS Word? Why solve problems from chess when you can make Colourful Agendas with modern charts?
  - jjuel 9y ago
    While I agree with this sentiment the problem is all the old professors with tenure who will never leave and are stuck in their 1970s ways.
- belltaco 9y ago
  >This is a big issue for University students who are often required to install textbook-sourced software for labs, class participation, etc. How is this "big issue" almost never brought up in the context of Chromebooks eating up the Education market? https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=14231353 https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=14231353
  - detaro 9y ago
    because universities don't buy mobile devices for their students/don't tell them what to buy, and thus are not part of that sector of the "education market". (And of course there are tons of universities where this is not an issue, or students buy a chrome book as a secondary device, or ...)
dragonwriter 9y ago
> What if I want to compile and run my own executables? Then you pay money to upgrade to the real Windows 10.
geocar 9y ago
You can use Windows 10. Like iOS and Chrome(ish), Windows 10 S looks like it's designed for non-developers.

iplaw 9y ago

Likely signing by Microsoft? Based on what I've read, you will not be able to run your own executables. This is a big issue for University students who are often required to install textbook-sourced software for labs, class participation, etc. Perhaps if you install a Visual Studio app from the Windows Store and use that to generate an executable, it will somehow sign the executable? Meta: At what point does the post rate limit get lifted? If I post a couple of comments while browsing the articles and then attempt to reply to a comment with a question, I have already somehow hit the rate limit and I am blocked from posting for a few hours. It seems like there should be an exception for replying to a question on my own comment.

youdontknowtho 9y ago
Its a combination of signing and app packaging. The technologies to look into are APPX, app container, and the Centennial Bridge. Basically, any application can be included in the store. They are using application virtualization from a prior product called APP-V to protect the system from applications tampering with important pieces. It's long over due. It also provides a unified way to update applications through the store. The store is how they distribute the Ubuntu userland that they ship with WSL...it's very capable. Up until now they only let people publish a very narrow selection of applications to the store. That strategy failed and now they are going to start pushing Win32 developers to take advantage of the new servicing and packaging system. It really is very good. I really, really, hope that this doesn't get shot down by herp-a-derp style Microsoft hate.
- rootlocus 9y ago
  If, for instance, I build my game with Unity, and would like to distribute this alpha build to friends to test it before it ships, how would I do that?
  - youdontknowtho 9y ago
    They have ways to do that. You would have to check with the store. Also, this doesn't mean that if your friends are using Windows 10 home or pro that they won't be able to install Appx packages. They can. Seriously, it's just a zip file with a manifest. On home/pro and up, users can install Appx packages by double clicking them. Only Windows 10 S has the restriction that all software installs have to use the store. The thing to watch will be the way that Windows 10 S actually maintains performance and security in ways that the other versions of Win10 can't. As long as users can install services or device drivers as part of an install it's always going to have the same problems. For something to change it actually has to change. We all know that Windows installers do dumb sh1t. Appx packages run with the same performance and have the same power as normal win32 apps. The only thing they can't do is modify the system in dangerous ways. Also, there is an Appx for Servers that is being used for Nano server. It does allow service installation and more serious modification of the system...because it has to. It's still a great packaging technology even if you don't use the store or other elements of their plan.
rem7 9y ago
Maybe some sort of self signed cert that only that machine will be able to run your executable?
h_r 9y ago
One option, from the article: If people would like to access apps from other stores and services, they can switch to Windows 10 Pro at any time.
- marksomnian 9y ago
  For $50.
- majewsky 9y ago
  There's a huge difference between "let students run wild and install any shit" and "publish a whitelist of allowed non-UWP apps via group policy".
ungzd 9y ago
> This is a big issue for University students who are often required to install textbook-sourced software for labs, class participation, etc. They will be able to code in Visual Basic for Applications. Why teach ancient languages for 70s mainframes in universities? Universities should prepare people for modern offices. Even MIT dropped Lisp long time ago. Why teach multiplication of columns of numbers when you can teach automated Mail Merge in MS Word? Why solve problems from chess when you can make Colourful Agendas with modern charts?
- jjuel 9y ago
  While I agree with this sentiment the problem is all the old professors with tenure who will never leave and are stuck in their 1970s ways.
belltaco 9y ago
>This is a big issue for University students who are often required to install textbook-sourced software for labs, class participation, etc. How is this "big issue" almost never brought up in the context of Chromebooks eating up the Education market? https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=14231353 https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=14231353
- detaro 9y ago
  because universities don't buy mobile devices for their students/don't tell them what to buy, and thus are not part of that sector of the "education market". (And of course there are tons of universities where this is not an issue, or students buy a chrome book as a secondary device, or ...)

dragonwriter 9y ago

> What if I want to compile and run my own executables? Then you pay money to upgrade to the real Windows 10.

geocar 9y ago

You can use Windows 10. Like iOS and Chrome(ish), Windows 10 S looks like it's designed for non-developers.