Windows 10: Microsoft to finalize Windows 10X without Win32 apps in December

Way back in October 2019, Microsoft announced Windows 10X, a modular version of Windows 10 aimed at dual-screen, foldable, and new form factors. Microsoft also showed off Windows 10X running on the Surface Neo, which has been delayed until at least 2022 as Microsoft has shifted focus to single-screen devices.

Surface Neo with a dual-screen version of Windows 10X has been pushed back to 2022 and Microsoft has already confirmed that Windows 10X OS will come to single-screened devices first, presumably starting with low-cost PCs to compete with the likes of Chromebook in the education market.

Windows 10X for the single-screen device is still on track to hit the RTM (release to manufacturer) status in December 2020. RTM is an industry term that is used at the point when a product is ready to be shipped for installation on a new system.

In other words, when Windows 10X hits RTM status internally in December 2020, it will be deemed ‘finalized’, ‘feature complete’ or ready for manufacturers. Note that this term doesn’t mean Windows 10X will begin rolling out to consumers or anyone in December.

After the finalizing the modular OS in December, Microsoft will begin servicing the operating system with fixes and improvements for Spring 2021 launch. At the moment, we don’t know if Microsoft is still planning to ship Windows 10X to Insiders for real-life feedback and testing.



Windows 10X is expected to be promoted as a lightweight offering that rivals the likes of Chrome OS. Microsoft won’t bring Windows 10X to existing hardware. Instead, if you want to try the brand-new operating system, you’ll need to buy a new affordable device.

It’s also worth noting that Microsoft originally wanted to enable Win32 apps virtualization support using a new virtualization technology called ‘VAIL’. Reports have suggested that Microsoft has removed the necessary technology responsible for VAIL, which means this OS can only run UWP and PWAs natively.

However, enterprise customers will be allowed to run the legacy Win32 apps on Windows 10X using a new internet-based servicing service.

Windows 10X will also come pre-installed with web versions of Office apps, such as Word, PowerPoint, Excel, Teams, Skype, etc.

An improved version Windows 10X with VAIL (Win32 virtualization) and Surface Neo support is expected to be made available by 2022.

The post Microsoft to finalize Windows 10X without Win32 apps in December appeared first on Windows Latest

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Windows 10X rollout to single-screen in 2021 and dual-screen in 2022

Microsoft to launch Windows 10X as a web-first OS without local Win32 app support | Windows Central

 

Concerns about Windows 10X

These days I read in the press that Windows 10X for low-cost devices (and in educational areas) will be delivered without local Win32 application support. It is rumored that Win32 applications may be running over a cloud service instead, but the authors
weren´t sure.

I hope very much that also low-cost devices running with Windows 10X will also support Win32 applications - even when a cloud service will be used. So-called "legacy apps" are often used in educational areas, e. g. when you need to use special learning software.
If Windows 10X do not support that somehow, it will be propably a flop.

I tried W10X on an old PC in the emulator - despite the PC I used is from 2009, Win32 apps were running successfully in the container (sometimes slow - but slow is better than a completely missing support).

ChromeOS, the main competitor of W10X, is running also Android apps (and also Windows apps soon, as I heard). The same should be also possible on low-cost Windows 10X devices with Win32 apps. Otherwise users will wonder where the benefits are and buy a Chromebook
instead, because they or their children can use all their Android apps and games on it that they know from their smartphone.

If the user cannot use the same applications that they use on their PC (except high-end software, games etc.) there will be no incentive to buy a W10X device.

Win32 applications are also often used in companies. It´s an advantage to know how to use them when you start to work after your graduation. Companies do not need people who knows how to play colorful smartphone games but who don´t know how to use Excel,
tax programs or image editing software.

I don´t know if the rumors are true - but I hope that Win32 support will be included somehow.

Why should Windows 10X be called "Windows" then?

This post is meant to be constructive.

 

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

That second picture in the OP reminds me of trying to run a Win16 application on Windows 64-bit.


Edit: Also, the PortableExecutable (PE) header Win32 uses is archaic (literally designed more than two decades ago). Microsoft should maybe pursue creating an alternative to Win32 that isn't a walled garden.