Windows 10X: What Do We Know So Far?

The update model for Windows 10 remains intact, with two annual builds extending support to 12 and 18 months respectively. However, in Redmond there is another development advancing in parallel to the "conventional" Windows 10, and it's Windows 10X. The first data about this operating system dates back to 2019, but its main objectives have changed since then. What makes Windows 10X different, and how does it benefit us?

A Windows 10 more...?

The "baseline" versions of Windows 10 or those available for general consumption are three: Home, Pro, and Pro for Workstations. If we jump to the territory of companies and organizations, we will find Windows 10 Education, Pro Education, Enterprise, and LTSC. We must also mention Windows 10 IoT, the discontinued mobile editions, the famous "S Mode" that confused everyone, the regional variants N, KN, and G, Windows 10 for ARM processors, and the mysterious "Windows 10 with Bing" aimed at OEMs.

At first glance, anyone would think there are too many versions of Windows 10, but Redmond wants to cover all angles. If it concludes it needs an additional edition, the company won't think twice... and that leads us to Windows 10X. The name suggests a build designed for high-performance computers, but the available information points in the opposite direction. Beyond shared technologies, Windows 10 and Windows 10X will be two very different beasts.

What is Windows 10X?

Originally announced in 2019, Windows 10X took its first steps as an edition designed for "dual-screen devices" in the style of the Surface Neo that (supposedly) will debut before the end of the year. From a technical standpoint, Windows 10X and Windows 10 share several elements (the most important being Windows Core OS), but Windows 10X has no intention of being another desktop operating system. In fact, Windows 10X presents a simplified interface, and several classic functions will be left behind, such as the Control Panel and File Explorer (replaced with a simpler variant).

Why does Microsoft want to launch Windows 10X?

The answer is complicated: Windows 10X is essentially a moving target. As mentioned above, at first its priority was dual-screen devices. But the pandemic turned the world upside down, and Microsoft confirmed in May 2020 a change of focus for Windows 10X, recalibrating its launch to "single-screen devices" based "in the cloud". Some sources suggest that this change represents an advantage for Microsoft, since Windows 10X can be run on devices with more basic technical profiles, and by extension, cheaper ones.

At the same time, there are those who believe that Windows 10X is a direct response by Redmond to Chrome OS. Google's operating system is registering very important growth, and today occupies more than 3.3 percent of the market in the United States. Its popularity in the educational circuit continues to rise, and for many users working remotely, it has become the ideal low-cost option. Regarding dual-screen devices, Microsoft said they will continue to wait for "the right moment".

Can I install Windows 10X on my PC, or upgrade from Windows 10 to Windows 10X?

As far as we know, no and no. Unless Microsoft makes another last-minute adjustment (knowing Redmond, we cannot rule out any possibility), the only way to access Windows 10X will be buying a dedicated compatible device. That points to more limited hardware support, but I imagine there will be plenty of room to experiment. Some images already exist online that depend on Hyper-V to work properly, although they are quite unstable.

What does the Windows 10X interface look like?

The folks at Windows Central did an excellent job exploring the official demo. The most relevant change is seen in the taskbar. Both the Start button and pinned icons are not justified to the left of the screen, but rather remain in the center, expanding from there. The Start menu has a search bar at the top, followed by a group of fifteen icons (which you can sort) with a button that shows the rest of the apps, and a Recent section at the bottom. The Start menu does not have live tiles, and you won't see app folders either.

To the right of the taskbar we find the classic system tray, compressed and simplified in several levels. Unlike Windows 10 with one icon for each function, a click on the tray reveals notifications, media controls, and quick settings (WiFi, Bluetooth, etc.), all under the same umbrella. Personally, I think the standard version of Windows 10 could use this "express system tray" and eliminate the current notifications section.

File Explorer is spartan to the core, without the advanced options that appear in the normal explorer. It also has direct synchronization with OneDrive... and that can only mean one thing: The use of a Microsoft account in Windows 10X is mandatory, and there is no possibility of creating local accounts. Now, if that bothers you, maybe you won't like to hear what's next...

What about Win32 compatibility in Windows 10X?

Short version: It doesn't exist... for now.

Long version: As it is "a simpler edition of Windows 10", the emphasis on UWP apps in Windows 10X is notable, and its Win32 support is much lower on the priority list. Another decision that (in part) reminds us of the early days of Windows 8 is that these UWP apps will run in full screen. The initial launch of Windows 10X will be on small-screen devices, therefore, this responds to an initial strategy that could be modified in the future.

Alternatives? Use the remote desktop function to connect to a computer with standard Windows 10, or turn our attention to web apps. Their integration is quite complete, as shown in the video with the Spotify web app.

In summary: When?

If there are no further delays, second half of 2021. Apparently, the build will arrive with the end of spring in the northern hemisphere, although no one in Redmond has come out to confirm this. In any case, the battle plan would be to distribute Windows 10X on low-cost devices intended for schools and corporations, placing general consumption in the background. That is the territory of Windows 10 "Sun Valley", which in theory will receive several adjustments to its interface. We will be waiting.

Sources: Windows Central, ComputerWorld