Designer shows a look for Windows 10 inspired by Windows 10X

Windows 10x Acrylic Concept (Image credit: vGLAD)

What you need to know

A designer created a concept of what Windows 10 would look like when utilizing some design elements of Windows 10X.
The mock-ups show the Windows 10X Start Menu within Windows 10.
The designs also show an app splash screen with acrylic effects.

#ProjectAcrylic Some new ideas about Acrylic effect, which are inspired from win10X. ;-) @MicrosoftDesign @panos_panay @itsmichaelwest @tomwarren @zacbowden @JenMsft @Clarkezone @boxnwhisker @zeealeid pic.twitter.com/9FP6XpwoZS #ProjectAcrylic Some new ideas about Acrylic effect, which are inspired from win10X. ;-) @MicrosoftDesign @panos_panay @itsmichaelwest @tomwarren @zacbowden @JenMsft @Clarkezone @boxnwhisker @zeealeid pic.twitter.com/9FP6XpwoZS— vGLAD (@vastglad) February 22, 2020 February 22, 2020

The designs show off similar effects within the splash screen of the Weather app and within the app itself. vGLAD created a video as well, so you can see the effect in motion.

#ProjectAcrylic Opening animation for Weather. @MicrosoftDesign @panos_panay @itsmichaelwest @tomwarren @zacbowden @JenMsft @Clarkezone @boxnwhisker @zeealeid pic.twitter.com/cg1H9L2tCu #ProjectAcrylic Opening animation for Weather. @MicrosoftDesign @panos_panay @itsmichaelwest @tomwarren @zacbowden @JenMsft @Clarkezone @boxnwhisker @zeealeid pic.twitter.com/cg1H9L2tCu— vGLAD (@vastglad) February 22, 2020 February 22, 2020

Blur effects can be very attractive, but with the wrong wallpaper can become distracting. It takes skill to balance the depth of acrylic effects while maintaining an app and operating system's functionality. What do you think of these designs? Would you like to see these elements make their way to Windows 10? Let us know in the comments below.

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Sean Endicott is a news writer and apps editor for Windows Central with 11+ years of experience. A Nottingham Trent journalism graduate, Sean has covered the industry’s arc from the Lumia era to the launch of Windows 11 and generative AI. Having started at Thrifter, he uses his expertise in price tracking to help readers find genuine hardware value.

Beyond tech news, Sean is a UK sports media pioneer. In 2017, he became one of the first to stream via smartphone and is an expert in AP Capture systems. A tech-forward coach, he was named 2024 BAFA Youth Coach of the Year. He is focused on using technology—from AI to Clipchamp—to gain a practical edge.