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| Microsoft launched Windows 11 SE |
Microsoft has developed a new version of Windows 11 specifically for students and schools. Windows 11 SE is specifically equipped with affordable laptops for elementary and middle school classes, another attempt by the software giant to rival Google's Chromebook range and its popularity in US schools.
The company is trying to understand why schools and students are flocking to Chromebooks. The company has already experimented with S mode, which essentially shuts down Windows 10 for apps in the company's Store.
This limitation is a nuisance to end users and schools. Not enough apps are available in the Microsoft Store.
Windows 11 SE takes a different approach than the school version of Windows, similar to the trend Microsoft originally started before Windows 10X was retired.
Windows 11 SE is inexpensive to use on new hardware and is only available to School and Education customers.
While Windows 11 SE is certainly optimized for Microsoft Edge, Microsoft Office, and enterprise cloud services, it's not just limited to Microsoft apps.
Windows 11 SE also supports third-party apps, including Zoom and Google Chrome. In fact, the company wants to enable schools to choose the method that best suits them.
The IT administrator is responsible for the installed applications. You can also manage equipment to be upgraded outside of the classroom.
Windows 11 SE does not ship with the Microsoft Store. Instead, the company allows some third-party apps to be used on Windows 11 SE devices.
This list of apps currently includes Google Chrome and Zoom. However, the company has not yet released the final approved application list.
Over the past 18 months, Microsoft has spoken with teachers and students to get feedback on their efforts so far to build Windows laptops.
These comments cause the app to always run in full screen mode on Windows 11 SE. Microsoft has removed several Snap layouts in this version and converted them into a single mode so that you can put apps side by side.
The new competitor to Chrome OS
The New Tools area has been removed in Windows 11 SE because Microsoft found it annoying in the classroom.
Microsoft Edge is also configured to accept Google Chrome extensions that are disabled by default in Windows 11.
Windows 11 SE backs up documents to OneDrive by default and offers offline support, making it easier for students to use their Windows 11 SE laptops outside of the classroom.
By default, Windows 11 SE also comes with a new Bloom color background, and some changes have been made to the way apps are grouped.
While you may encounter two different versions of OneNote or Microsoft Teams in Windows 11, the company changed that in Windows 11 SE so that only one version is installed.
Acer, Asus, Dell, HP, Fujitsu, Lenovo, Dynabook, JK-IP and Positivo will produce laptops running Windows 11 SE in the coming months.
Windows 11 SE is an important part of the company's overall effort to compete with Chrome OS.
Microsoft often overlooks why Chrome OS is easy to use and manage for IT admins and schools.
Laptops with the new operating system support Microsoft Intune for settings. This makes it easier for IT administrators to provide simpler learning backend management consoles for these devices.
The company also bundles apps like Teams, Office, OneNote, Minecraft for Education, and Flipgrid into Windows 11 SE. This way, IT administrators don't have to install them separately.
The company expects Windows 11 SE laptops to enter the education channel later this year and into 2022.