Windows 10: Microsoft leaks interesting tidbits of Windows 10, WCOS and 10X

WinLatest · Jul 11, 2020

One of the main advantages of Windows 10 has always been compatibility support for older apps and hardware. This is possible because Windows has decades of legacy stuff to support the vast majority of apps and games created in the past decade.

Lately, Microsoft has been experimenting with modular and modern versions of Windows to ditch decades of legacy cruft that simply can’t be removed from Windows 10. While Microsoft has given up on long-rumoured Andromeda mobile OS, the related “Windows Core OS” project or WCOS, is still underway.

Microsoft has been actively working on legacy-free ‘Windows Core OS’ since 2017 and it’s widely believed that the OS has been in the works for much longer. Windows Core OS is a stripped-back version of Windows, primarily designed for new form factors such as Surface Neo, Chromebook-like devices and it is said to be the future of Windows.

Windows Core OS uses a ‘Composable Shell,’ a modular version of the existing Windows Shell, to easily create new versions of Windows 10 such as ‘Windows 10X‘ and share features across different form factors.

I’ve previously reported that Microsoft has already started optimizing Chromium for Windows Core OS. Now, there’s more evidence to support my claim.

Microsoft is working on a new feature that will allow Chromium (Chrome, Edge and other browsers) to support a wider range of modern gamepad devices on Windows 10.

The change will enable “Windows.Gaming.Input (WGI)” by default on Chromium, which should allow WGI to provide support for gamepad-specific Plug & Play APIs, even on WCOS devices.

In a support document, Microsoft has noted that the WGI provides access to game controller input for Windows apps and games.

The tech giant believes that WGI support could also allow Chromium to support rumble triggers on the Xbox One gamepad, and paddles on the Elite controllers when you use Chromium-based browsers on Windows 10, Windows Core OS (WCOS), and Windows 10X.

“While low-level APIs like Raw Input does not support WCOS devices, with this WGI Gamepad JavaScript API, Chromium gains support for gamepad-specific Plug & Play APIs, even on WCOS devices. This feature can work on both Windows Desktop (Win32 apps) and Windows 10X,” Microsoft noted.

It’s also worth noting that Windows Core OS-powered Windows 10X has deep ties with web experiences. It also puts UWP and PWA Windows apps front and center. Since Microsoft has abandoned EdgeHTML, there are plans to optimize Chromium, which will also power the web-based interface of apps and games in the upcoming versions of Windows 10.

Microsoft recently announced that Windows 10X is no longer exclusive to foldable PCs and it will first launch on laptops and 2-in-1’s, which also confirms the adaptable and modular nature of Windows Core OS.

Windows Core OS-based Windows 10X is expected to launch next year and there are plans for public beta testing of the operating system on existing hardware.

The post Microsoft leaks interesting tidbits of Windows 10, WCOS and 10X appeared first on Windows Latest

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Brink · Jul 11, 2020

Microsoft new Windows Lite OS may be called Windows 10X

UPDATE 10/2: Introducing Windows 10X: enabling dual-screen PCs in 2020

Microsoft may well have no more surprises left for its Surface event tomorrow, as the flow of leaks apparently isn’t drying up today. After leaking new marketing pictures for the Surface Pro 7, Surface Laptop 3, and the new ARM-powered Surface, Evan Blass (aka @evleaks on Twitter) has revealed the name of the new OS that Microsoft created for foldable and Chromebook-like devices. According to Blass, what we used to call “Windows Lite” until now will be named Windows 10X.

Blass’ Twitter account is currently private, but you can find a screenshot of his protected tweet below:

If “Windows 10X” is indeed real, it looks more and more certain that Microsoft will unveil, or at least talk about, its dual-screen "Centaurus" device that is supposed to run this new OS tomorrow. According to Blass, Windows 10X will support legacy desktop applications in containers, which if true would make this device much more interesting. Not supporting Win32 apps certainly played a role in the demise of Windows RT a couple of years ago, and there was definitely a lesson to be learned for Microsoft: keeping compatibility with legacy Windows apps is very important for consumers, especially when you launch a new OS named "Windows."
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Read more:

Microsoft’s new “Windows Lite” OS will reportedly be called Windows 10X >> OnMSFT.com

Windows 10X could be Microsoft's OS for dual-screen devices - Neowin

Windows 10X Is Reportedly Microsoft's OS For Dual-Screen Devices Like Centaurus | HotHardware

'Windows 10X' poll: What do you think of the name of Microsoft's new OS? | Windows Central