Windows 10: Microsoft says most Win32 apps will work on Windows 10 X

On February 11, Microsoft shared more details of Windows 10 X for dual-screen and various third-party foldable devices. As rumoured for months, Windows 10 X won’t be limited to Store apps only and the operating system will be able to run UWP, PWAs, web apps, and even Win32 apps.

As we’ve reported, Microsoft plans to run apps by using containers on Windows 10 X. Microsoft says every Windows 10 X apps including Win32, UWP, and PWAs will run in containers to improve the performance of the devices and secure the actual system.

Microsoft’s Container is said to be lightweight and it’s based on a similar moded used by Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL). The container is loaded only when it’s required by the applications.

Windows 10 X currently comes with three types of containers aimed at different application architecture. There is a container for Win32 apps, MSIX and UWP apps (native). With Containers, Microsoft is hoping to provide the highest (backward) compatibility levels for existing apps including Electrons apps such as Facebook Messenger.



Like traditional emulators, Win32 container has also been designed to run all Win32 apps, so there won’t be a separate container for each app. The Win32 container has its own kernel and drivers, which allows it to provide the highest compatibility for existing apps.

If no apps are running within the Win32 container, it goes away and this contributes to longer battery life.

Microsoft says ‘most’ existing Win32 desktops app will work on Windows 10 X without any modifications required from the developer, but there will be some instances where some apps may not work properly.

Developers can also improve their existing Win32 apps to work better with the new features of Windows 10 X and Microsoft is also willing to work with devs to ensure all apps work.

In addition, Microsoft said Windows 10 X’s new Windows Update system can install feature updates in less than 90 seconds. Microsoft also confirmed that it won’t allow manual installation of the drivers, which means all drivers will be managed via Windows Update for security and performance reasons.

Microsoft believes that most of the users will never run into any app compatibility issues. You can expect all mainstream apps such as Chrome, Firefox, Office, Adobe, and other popular apps to run without issue.

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Microsoft Adds Ability to Block Win32 Apps from Install on Windows 10

The problem with this is that it may be a way to gradually force you into the store.
In the past Telemetry was also opt-in. Then it was opt-out. Now you can´t turn it off unless you buy the enterprise version of Win10.

In a few months we will have the free Windows 10 Cloud OS with no Win32 app support. To be able to use Win32 apps you'll need to buy a home/pro license for $150 (if you don´t have one already). And some years from now it may be only available on enterprise versions.
I wouldn´t be surprised if some manufacturers start shipping their PCs/laptops with Win 10 Cloud only.

And BTW, looking at the current trends, it´s only a matter of time before the paid version of Windows becomes a subscription service too.

 

Microsoft Adds Ability to Block Win32 Apps from Install on Windows 10

Yeah, if you can't tell by the editorial, I know a few who would benefit too.

I'm just concerned about the fact its possibly a step towards putting Win32 in a coffin. Albeit a small one. But we all start somewhere.

Right now, just a discussion starter more than a serious issue.

PS: I'm very tired today, so this is a bit more of a "wild and loose" editorial than my usual.

 

Microsoft Adds Ability to Block Win32 Apps from Install on Windows 10

That's actually a certainty already. Microsoft wants to create a competing product against Chromebook. I'm sure this is one of the features that bring them closer to that.

UWP is "significantly slower" than Win32. Probably 10-30%. UWP is completely managed (memory pointers are forbidden) like .NET Framework is. They're very closely linked. UWP can be made to run on any processor architecture (ARM, x86, and AMD64 right now). I believe UWP has a path for emulating Win32 too (they demonstrated this in a Windows Phone 10 feature).