Windows 10: Windows 10 modular OS is arriving next year: What we know so far

WinLatest · Oct 4, 2020

The modular and most adaptive version of Windows 10 is currently called ‘Windows 10X’ and it’ll be arriving on traditional single-screen laptops in the first half of 2021.

Windows 10’s modular version was first announced in October 2019 and Microsoft originally said that the Surface Neo would be the first device to run the new OS.

However, everything has changed after Microsoft started preparing Windows 10X for single-screen devices in an effort to meet the current needs of the customers. Microsoft has also removed the Surface Neo listing to clarify it’s not coming this holiday season.

At the moment, we’re not sure if Microsoft will publish the beta builds of Windows 10X to the testers in the Insider, which raises fresh questions and concerns about exactly how the OS might work.

Before we start speculating the rollout plans of Windows 10X, let’s first establish what we know.

What is Windows 10X?

Windows 10X is also known as Windows Lite internally and it’s based on Windows Core OS, which modularizes Windows Shell and other components.

This new operating system is designed to run on both single-screen and dual-screen form factors, and it’s also modern without legacy components.

In addition, Windows 10X comes with a new user interface that ditches live tiles support for icons and it also allows Windows Update to happen seamlessly in the background.

Windows 10X release date

According to sources, Microsoft is currently planning to deliver Windows 10X sometime in the first half of 2021 without native support for Win32 apps. The first single-screen Windows 10X PCs are also set to arrive in the second quarter or Spring of 2021.

To make room for Windows 10X launch, Microsoft also appears to be considering changes to its Windows 10 upgrade cycle. Going forward, Windows 10 will receive only one feature update per year and next year’s feature update is expected to arrive after Windows 10X launches in the market.

After the launch of Windows 10X in Q2 2021, Microsoft will begin rolling out the first feature update for Windows 10.

In the spring of 2022, we’ll see the first big Windows 10X feature update that will add support for dual-screen hardware, such as Surface Neo and Lenovo ThinkPad Fold.

Windows 10X loses Win32 apps virtualization support

Unfortunately, Microsoft has reportedly removed the virtualization technology from the internal builds of Windows 10X. This would have allowed Win32 apps (desktop or classic apps) to run smoothly in a container.

The original idea to run Win32 apps in a container

As we first reported earlier this year, Microsoft is not satisfied with the performance of Win32 apps on Windows 10X due to limitations.

For example, some Win32 apps are struggling to access the native features available outside the container, which includes screen sharing and alerts when apps are minimized to the taskbar.

This is the opposite of the Windows 10X ethos, which is supposed to offer both performance and compatibility at the same time.

As a result, Windows 10X internal builds have dropped support for Win32 apps. You can only run UWP and web apps natively, which would turn Windows 10X into a proper lightweight OS for Chromebook-like devices.

Microsoft will allow early adopters to stream Win32 apps via a web service, which works only when you have an internet connection.

While the plans are always subject to change, Microsoft has internally decided not to move forward with the dual-screen model for another year.

The post Windows 10 modular OS is arriving next year: What we know so far appeared first on Windows Latest

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Brink · Oct 4, 2020

Windows Core OS aims to turn Windows 10 into a modular platform

Microsoft 'Windows Core OS' aims to turn Windows 10 into a modular platform for the future

Microsoft is taking the next steps in its "One Windows" vision with an internal project called "Windows Core OS" that turns Windows 10 into a fully modular platform and lays foundations for the future of Windows.

Windows is now over 30 years old, which is beyond ancient in technology years. As a result of this, Windows itself is encumbered by features, functions, and components that some devices today may no longer need. In an industry where new device types are being introduced all the time, Windows itself is too old and heavy to be able to adapt to those new devices (an example of which are smartwatches) quickly enough. As it turns out, Microsoft is aware of this and is working on something internally that looks to solve this problem.

Over the last several months, I've been talking to multiple sources about something internally referred to as "Windows Core OS" (originally Andromeda OS.) According to these sources, Windows Core OS (WCOS for short) is the future backbone of Windows and is a monumental step forward in making Windows 10 a truly universal OS. In short, WCOS is a common denominator for Windows that works cross-platform, on any device type or architecture, that can be enhanced with modular extensions that gives devices features and experiences where necessary.

Click to expand...

What does this mean for me?

Windows 10 as it is today has a few different variants of itself. It's not one OS that's shared across devices. Windows 10 Mobile and Windows 10 desktop are two different variants of Windows 10, for example. Now, these different variants do share universal elements, such as OneCore and the Universal Windows Platform, but the OSs themselves aren't the same. WCOS removes these different variants and gives us a universal base that can be built upon. If you want Windows on a phone, instead of using Windows 10 Mobile, you would simply use "Windows 10" with components that make sense for a phone device. It's the next steps in Microsoft's modularity of Windows, which has been ongoing for years at this point.
Click to expand...

Source: Windowscentral.com

swarfega · Oct 4, 2020

Windows Core OS aims to turn Windows 10 into a modular platform

Microsoft 'Windows Core OS' aims to turn Windows 10 into a modular platform for the future

Microsoft is taking the next steps in its "One Windows" vision with an internal project called "Windows Core OS" that turns Windows 10 into a fully modular platform and lays foundations for the future of Windows.

Windows is now over 30 years old, which is beyond ancient in technology years. As a result of this, Windows itself is encumbered by features, functions, and components that some devices today may no longer need. In an industry where new device types are being introduced all the time, Windows itself is too old and heavy to be able to adapt to those new devices (an example of which are smartwatches) quickly enough. As it turns out, Microsoft is aware of this and is working on something internally that looks to solve this problem.

Over the last several months, I've been talking to multiple sources about something internally referred to as "Windows Core OS" (originally Andromeda OS.) According to these sources, Windows Core OS (WCOS for short) is the future backbone of Windows and is a monumental step forward in making Windows 10 a truly universal OS. In short, WCOS is a common denominator for Windows that works cross-platform, on any device type or architecture, that can be enhanced with modular extensions that gives devices features and experiences where necessary.

Click to expand...

What does this mean for me?

Windows 10 as it is today has a few different variants of itself. It's not one OS that's shared across devices. Windows 10 Mobile and Windows 10 desktop are two different variants of Windows 10, for example. Now, these different variants do share universal elements, such as OneCore and the Universal Windows Platform, but the OSs themselves aren't the same. WCOS removes these different variants and gives us a universal base that can be built upon. If you want Windows on a phone, instead of using Windows 10 Mobile, you would simply use "Windows 10" with components that make sense for a phone device. It's the next steps in Microsoft's modularity of Windows, which has been ongoing for years at this point.
Click to expand...

Source: Windowscentral.com

FerchogtX · Oct 4, 2020

Windows Core OS aims to turn Windows 10 into a modular platform

Honestly, modularity and flexibility during install would be good, Microsoft did the right choice when they transparently stated what the telemetry tools did, how, and ways to turn off stuff you don't use during setup, that is wise, why not extending that to many parts of the OS, making it more stable?

I mean, if components can integrate, but can independantly be used or uninstalled, doesn't that increase stability for the OS, rather than adding bloatware tied to the core?... If subsequent versions of Windows can be even better than 1703 (which is quite fast at use and boot times), that is certainly the right step.

Just my two cents.

Windows 10: Windows 10 modular OS is arriving next year: What we know so far

Windows 10 modular OS is arriving next year: What we know so far

Windows 10 modular OS is arriving next year: What we know so far

Windows 10 modular OS is arriving next year: What we know so far

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