Microsoft has today announced that it is making its much-anticipated Windows 10 S available to the developer community through Windows 10 S ISO files. The operating system, however, will not be open to Windows Insiders for testing and trials, or others who may be interested in Microsoft's version of Chrome OS.

"Windows 10 S ISO files are not for consumers to broadly download / switch to the OS"

If you want to test the lightweight operating system, you will need to have the quite expensive MSDN subscription. MSDN subscribers can get their hands on the latest operating system from the Redmond Windows maker right away. This offer is, however, also not open to monthly subscribers.

But, if you have a yearly subscription, you can download the Windows 10 S ISO files right away and install the newest Windows version on any device. In a statement to Thurrott, a Microsoft spokesperson said:

“We’re releasing [Windows 10 S] today to developers because we want to be sure they are testing Windows 10 S. We especially want EDU-focused developers to continue to innovate and make apps that teachers and students would use from the Windows Store.”

The publication adds that the company will make the operating system available to its education customers via its Update Assistant tool next week. This step is only to attract them to the newer hardware that is powered by Windows 10 S. Microsoft said this initial availability to the Edu customers will help them "make informed buying decisions regarding Windows 10 Pro EDU or Windows 10 S for their schools".

Microsoft first introduced Windows 10 S at its May event earlier this year, focusing the new operating system to the educational market, directly hitting Google's Chrome OS userbase. The new operating system (previously also rumored as Windows 10 Cloud) is a super lightweight version of Windows 10 that only runs apps that have been downloaded from Microsoft's Windows Store. If someone buys one of the Windows 10 S powered machines (including Microsoft's own Surface Laptop), they will be able to upgrade to Windows 10 Pro version for absolutely free until the end of this year, and for $49 afterwards.

If you are a Windows enthusiast who loves getting their hands on all the latest Windows offerings, this one is not for you. Not yet, anyway. Microsoft said that "this is very much meant only for developers and IT pros, not consumers to broadly download/switch to Windows 10 S".

Earlier: Windows 10 Creators Update is now available to everyone