Starting OS v0.6, the console can be booted to a regular PC desktop. This is referred to as "PC mode".
PC mode is similar to the console OS- same version of Windows- but many of the security features have been turned off (Bitlocker, Device Guard Code Integrity, etc.).
BIOS updates cannot be done in PC mode. Make sure you are not in PC mode before updating the BIOS.
It is possible to switch back and forth between the console and PC mode.
As Administrator run sdk/SwitchOS.cmd and restart.
Starting 0.8.1, in main client or Z+ Assist (only in PC mode).
- Open Start Menu then Settings
- Select Time & Language
- Select Region & Language and Add a language
- Select desired language
- Click Set as default
- Restart the machine
One reason for PC mode is to make development easier. You can install Visual Studio (note that VS2017 is not supported on LTSB) and build/debug just like it was a regular PC. CPU/GPU/disk capabilities and performance, memory configuration and bandwidth, OS environment, and so on will be almost identical.