The world of Windows is full of news. From apocalyptic titles like Diablo 4 to Surface hardware, news makes it across our desk and onto the front page at a blistering pace. That's why each weekend we gather the biggest news stories in a convenient roundup.

If you prefer to listen to your news, make sure to check out the Windows Central Podcast. Our Editor-in-Chief Daniel Rubino and our Senior Editor Zac Bowden discuss the hottest topics in tech, break news, and add insight.

Surface Go 4 and smaller Surface Pro

Microsoft has a pair of smaller Surface devices on the way. Our Senior Editor Zac Bowden exclusively reported that Microsoft is planning to ship a Surface Go 4 with an ARM chip inside.

The Surface Pro X runs on an ARM chip, as do some models of the Surface Pro 9, but this would be the first Surface Go to have an ARM processor. The device is codenamed Tanta, and it will run on a Snapdragon 7c-based SoC in the entry-level model. That should deliver similar performance to the preceding Surface Go model while having better battery life.

Bowden also heard "whispers" that Microsoft will ship a new Surface Pro in two sizes. In addition to the 13-inch Surface Pro, the company is working on an 11-inch Surface Pro. The sizing options are similar to those seen for the iPad Pro.

While the new Surface hardware is exciting, it will likely be quite some time before we see it ship. Bowden said that it's unlikely either device will come out before this fall, and either of them could be pushed back further.

Windows 10X on Surface Duo

Sticking with Surface news, independent developer Gustave Monce managed to get Windows 10X to run on both displays of the original Surface Duo. That device is meant to run Android, but Monce has spent years figuring out ways to get different forms of Windows to run on the Duo.

Windows 10X on the Surface Duo looks a lot like the Surface Neo that never saw the light of day. While the Neo was larger than the Duo, both devices had a pair of displays and could fold around a hinge.

With Windows 10X canceled and the Surface Neo being put on the chopping block as well, Monce's project is probably the closest we'll get to a folding dual-screen device running an OS designed for that form factor.

Windows 11 Taskbar features

When Microsoft made Windows 11, the company rewrote the Taskbar. That process left out some fan-favorite features. Many of those have made their way back over time, such as showing seconds on the clock. Now, another popular feature is set to make its return. The Windows 11 Taskbar will soon have the ability to "never combine" and to "show app labels."

The option to never combine items in the Taskbar has been heavily requested since the release of Windows 11. Previous versions of Windows supported it, so anyone that relied on the feature for their workflow has missed out for a while.

The two features were hidden in the latest Insider Build of Windows 11, so it may be a bit before they make their way to a general release of Windows.

Diablo 4 Slam Beta

Diablo 4 is a highly anticipated game that could make its way onto our list of the best Xbox games. The title won't launch until June 6, 2023, but you don't have to wait until then to try it out. The open beta ended in March, but a special beta-style "Server Slam" event is coming up.

Server Slam kicks off on May 12, 2023 at 12:00 p.m. PT / 3:00 p.m. ET and will run through May 14, 2023 at 12:00 p.m. PT / 3:00 p.m. ET.

The aim of the event is to stress test Diablo 4's servers. To do so, the game needs a load of players online at once. During Server Slam, gamers will be able to play through the Prologue and Act 1 of Diablo 4's campaign. All five of the Diablo 4 classes will be playable.

The Diablo 4 Server Slam beta has a few differences from the open beta that ran earlier this year. For example, the level cap during Server Slam is 20 instead of 25. A Server Slam patch also includes Diablo 4 beta feedback-driven balance changes that will launch with the game.

Our piece on the Diablo 4 Server Slam beta includes steps on how to download the game and play during Server Slam.

Microsoft rejects Twitter

With Twitter removing legacy checkmarks, it's becoming clear who pays for Twitter and who doesn't. But Microsoft decided to stop paying for a different Twitter service this week. The tech giant removed Twitter as an option for its Digital Marking Center's social media management tool.

Twitter would have companies like Microsoft pay at least $42,000 per month to have access to the API needed to power the marketing tool in question.

Twitter owner Elon Musk responded to Microsoft's move by claiming Microsoft "trained illegally," likely referring to Bing Chat. Musk also threatened a lawsuit against the company, though he is not known for following through on all of his threats.

Samsung may ditch Google for Bing

The new Bing has turned heads, thanks in large part to its integration with ChatGPT. A new report states that Samsung could swap its default search engine to Bing. That would be a major coup for Microsoft, as Samsung devices currently use Google by default.

If Samsung switches to Bing, Google could lose $3 billion annually.

There's always a chance that Samsung is merely using the potential swap to Bing as a negotiation tactic to get Google to pay more, but we'll have to wait to see what happens. Microsoft and Samsung have gotten closer over the years. Perhaps that relationship could help Microsoft get a victory over Google.

Reviews & Editorials

Each week our experts review the latest gadgets, gear, and games. This week we looked at Minecraft Legends, the Dell UltraSharp Curved Monitor, Dead Island 2, and plenty more.

Our team also shares editorials and features that share insight and perspective on the latest tech trends.

• ChatGPT? More like ChadGPT: How I'm using AI as my personal trainer
• The Xbox handheld is already here — it's called the Steam Deck (with Windows 11)
• Minecraft Legends review (Xbox): Amazing alone, even more fantastic with friends
• Dell UltraSharp 49 Curved Monitor (U4924DW) review: The multitasker's best friend if used correctly
• Dead Island 2 review: One Hell-A of a good time
• Samsung Galaxy Book3 Pro review: The laptop that leaves Surface Laptop 5 in the dust
• Turtle Beach Stealth Pro (Xbox, PC) Headset Review: Turtle Beach ascends

What you need to know

• Third-party developer Gustave Monce managed to get Windows 10X to run on the Surface Duo.
• Originally, Windows 10X was restricted to one display of the Duo, but that limitation has been fixed.
• The Surface Duo running Windows 10X runs in a similar manner to the Surface Neo that Microsoft canceled.

When Microsoft first unveiled the Surface Duo, the company also announced the Surface Neo. The fates of those devices have gone down different paths, with the Duo shipping to consumers and receiving a sequel while the Neo never saw the light of day. Despite this divergence, the Duo and Neo are now connected by Windows 10X.

The Surface Neo was supposed to ship with Windows 10X, a modern version of Windows that shed some of the legacy and bloat of previous generations. Like Neo, Windows 10X was never released, but early builds of it gave us a glimpse of what a lightweight version Windows could look like.

Windows 10X was never meant for the Duo, which runs Android, but it has been forced onto the device.

Third-party developer Gustave Monce has worked for years to get Windows to run on the Duo. He recently got Windows 10X to run on the foldable. Late Sunday night, Monce shared that he figured out how to get Windows 10X to run on both screens of the Surface Duo.

Shane Craig showed how Windows 10X works on the Surface Duo in a recent video.

When running on both screens, the setup looks like a blend of the Surface Duo running Android and design elements that have made their way to Windows 11 from Windows 10X. For example, the Start menu can be opened by swiping up from the minimized Taskbar. That functionality is available in the most recent Insider builds of Windows 11.

Swapping an app from one screen to the other functions much like when the Duo runs Android. The main difference is that rather than swiping from the bottom, Windows 10X on the Surface Duo requires you to swipe from the top. You can also span an app across two displays.

The Surface Duo with Windows 10X may be the closest we ever get to a Surface Neo, at least as the PC was originally envisioned.

While it is possible to get Windows 10X to run on a Surface Duo, only technical users should even consider attempting to do so. An installation guide is on GitHub but it's important to note that a mistake could result in your device being bricked. There are also issues and several elements that will not work with the setup. It's a fun experiment but not something meant for a device you expect to use daily.

As pointed out by our Senior Editor Zac Bowden, the merging of Windows 10X and the Surface Duo is poetic. Windows 10X was born, at least in part, out of the remains of Andromeda OS, which runs on the Surface Duo.

What you need to know

• A third-party developer has brought Microsoft's canceled Windows 10X to the Surface Duo.
• This first release includes graphics drivers and showcases how smooth Windows 10X is on mobile hardware.
• Support for dual-screen scenarios is coming soon.

Microsoft's first-generation Surface Duo is now able to run Windows 10X, thanks to a new release by the DuoWOA project, a third-party effort that originally brought Windows 10 and Windows 11 to the Surface Duo. Gustave Monce on Twitter announced the new release over the weekend, along with a brief demo which showcases the OS in action.

This first release is a "V0" which means there's a few things that still don't work correctly. For example, dual-screen functionality isn't yet in, though Monce says that will be coming in V1, and will support all the same dual-screen features that Surface Neo would have supported. Support for cellular phone calls also isn't in.

The process for installing Windows 10X on the Surface Duo is not simple either, so this project isn't for the faint of heart. You can follow the installation guide here, though keep in mind that failing to follow the instructions correctly could result in you bricking your device. A version for Surface Duo 2 is also not yet available.

When the project is fully functional, running Windows 10X on the Surface Duo will be like using a mini Surface Neo, complete with the ability to span UWP apps across both screens. It's quite poetic, knowing that Windows 10X was partially born out of the ashes of Andromeda OS, and now it's running on the Surface Duo. It's like the vision has come full circle.

Obviously, Windows 10X has since been canceled, so there's no ongoing support for this platform by Microsoft. Microsoft's efforts have since moved over to Windows 11, which brought much of the Windows 10X UI over to Windows Desktop. But there's no denying how much more fluid and lightweight Windows 10X is compared to Windows 11, and the Surface Duo really showcases that.

While 2021 was a big year for new devices and services from Microsoft, the company also ended support for several of its products. Gamers, business customers, and general consumers all lost out on at least one Microsoft-made item. Here are the biggest things that Microsoft killed off in 2021.

Windows 10X

Windows 10X was meant to be a new version of Windows made from the ground up for modern computing. It was built on top of Windows Core OS, which removed legacy components in the name of a better user experience and improved security. The new OS was even available for Insiders to try out but was canceled in May 2021.

"Instead of bringing a product called Windows 10X to market in 2021 like we originally intended, we are leveraging learnings from our journey thus far and accelerating the integration of key foundational 10X technology into other parts of Windows and products at the company," said Microsoft.

Microsoft didn't just put a new skin on top of Windows when developing Windows 10X. It took a different approach to computing. That came with some bumps in the road and sticking points about how to support legacy applications. Ultimately, the company decided to take some elements created for Windows 10X and place them in Windows 11.

While Windows 11 has legacy support and is built on the same core as Windows 10 and previous versions of Windows, it does have several of the elements seen in Windows 10X. The new Start menu, Taskbar, and Action Center all appeared on Windows 10X before making their way to Windows 11. The improved touch keyboard, voice typing experience, and several other features also made their way to Windows 11 from Windows 10X.

The end of Windows 10X also marked the likely end of the Surface Neo. Microsoft's handheld foldable PC was set to run Windows 10X. There's still a possibility that we could see the Neo running Windows 11, but there's a good chance that the device will never be available for consumers.

Minecraft Earth

Minecraft Earth was a spinoff of the popular Minecraft series that merged the iconic game with the real world. Initially revealed in 2019, Minecraft Earth brought an augmented reality experience to iOS and Android devices. Unfortunately for those that enjoyed the game, the end of Minecraft Earth was announced at the beginning of the year, and the game closed down on June 30, 2021.

While Minecraft Earth drew criticism for how it aggressively handled microtransactions and its time limits for certain tasks, there were aspects of the game that were worthwhile. Our Zachary Boddy broke down some lessons that Minecraft could learn from Minecraft Earth.

Legacy Edge

Microsoft replaced the old Microsoft Edge with the new Microsoft Edge in a Windows 10 update in April 2021. The newer version of Edge, which is based on Chromium, came out in 2020, but Microsoft took its time to roll it out as a complete replacement for the older version of Edge.

Generally speaking, the new Microsoft Edge has received better reviews than its predecessor. Because it's based on Chromium, the new Edge has better compatibility with websites and supports extensions. Microsoft also regularly adds features to the new Edge.

While the new version of Edge works well, and is considered by some to be one of the best Windows apps, it has received criticism this year. Microsoft aggressively pushed the browser on people and added buy now, pay later functionality this year. Microsoft making certain elements of Windows open in Edge despite people's default browser settings has also caused complaints.

Timeline syncing across devices

The Timeline feature on Windows is still technically around, but Microsoft removed its core functionality. Timeline lost the ability to sync across devices in July 2021, at least for those with Microsoft accounts (Azure Active Directory accounts were unaffected by the change). For most Windows users, the feature is just a chronological Task View. Timeline has its uses, but it isn't what it once was.

Syncing your timeline across certain devices required Cortana. The iOS and Android apps for Cortana have since been discontinued, making Timeline less useful. The end of the mobile Cortana apps likely factored into Microsoft discontinuing Timeline syncing across devices.

Skype for Business

Microsoft announced the end of Skype for Business back in 2019. This was done to give organizations enough time to transition to a replacement, such as Microsoft Teams. On July 31, 2021, Microsoft retired Skype for Business Online.

With two years to make the switch, many businesses were able to move over to Teams or another offering. Microsoft has a support document for organizations that still need to move away from Skype for Business.

OneGuide TV listings on the Xbox One

Microsoft has moved away from TV-centric features for the Xbox One for quite some time. That trend continued with the end of TV listings in OneGuide on the Xbox One in May 2021.

It's clear that Microsoft has prioritized gaming on Xbox consoles, which makes sense. Unfortunately, that shift has hurt the ability to use an Xbox device as a media hub. The Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S don't even support Microsoft's own Xbox One Digital TV Tuner. The new consoles also lack the OneGuide app.

Last year, our senior editor Zac Bowden analyzed if you can replace the Xbox One with an Xbox Series X or S when it comes to viewing TV.

With the death of OneGuide TV listings on the Xbox One, Microsoft's older console lost support for one of its last remaining dedicated TV functions.

More in the graveyard

These are the biggest products and services that Microsoft ended in 2021, but it's not a comprehensive list. Killed by Microsoft keeps a detailed timeline of what Microsoft ends support for. That site's timeline goes back to 1995, so you can reminisce about when Microsoft Bob reached its end of support.

What you need to know

• Surface Neo made a cameo appearance in a new movie on Netflix.
• The movie, called "Red Notice," features Ryan Reynolds playing with a Neo.
• This doesn't mean the Surface Neo is coming soon, unfortunately.

Surface fans this week have spotted a new Surface Neo cameo in Netflix's just released "Red Notice" movie starring The Rock, Gal Gadot, and Ryan Reynolds. The movie, which has been in development since 2019, is the second piece of entertainment media to feature the now "postponed indefinitely" Surface Neo, after WandaVision featured the product earlier this year.

Now, before you get your hopes up, the appearance of Surface Neo in a newly released movie does not mean that Microsoft is ready to release Surface Neo again. Microsoft's official stance on the Surface Neo is that it will arrive when the time is right, but Windows Central understands that nothing has changed internally, and that there are still no plans to release Surface Neo anytime soon.

So, why has Surface Neo appeared in a new movie if it's not something Microsoft intends to ship? Simply put, the movie has been in development since 2019. Principle photography (the part where most of the movie is filmed) began in January 2020, during a time where the Surface Neo was "on track" to ship in the fall of that year. Microsoft had likely already made product placement deals with movie studios, which included the Neo at this time.

This means that the scenes where the Surface Neo are featured were filmed before COVID-19 hit, and before Microsoft ultimately decided to cancel the Surface Neo indefinitely. So that's why the Surface Neo is showing up in a new movie released this year; because the movie was filmed back when the Surface Neo was a real product that Microsoft intended to ship.

Unfortunately, there appears to be no sign of Surface Neo showing up any time soon. Surface Neo was hit with a one-two punch quite early on after it was announced, with the cancelation of Windows 10X not long followed by the cancelation of Intel's Lakefield chipset, which powered Surface Neo. So not only was Surface Neo left without an OS, but it was also left without a SoC to power everything. So it was back to the drawing board for Microsoft.

If Surface Neo ever does ship, I very much doubt it'll be the same product that was announced in 2019. I would suspect Microsoft will give it a new chipset and update the design to match the latest Surface Duo at least, and that assumes Microsoft still deems there to be a market for very pricey dual-screen PCs. People have scoffed at the pricing of Surface Duo, and the Surface Neo was only going to be even more expensive.

Microsoft's dual-screen PC, known as the Surface Neo was announced in October 2019 as one of the first devices that would ship with Windows 10X. Since then, Microsoft has canceled Windows 10X and postponed the Surface Neo indefinitely. It was originally supposed to ship in the fall of 2020, but that never happened. We don't know when or if Surface Neo will ever ship.

So, to keep everything in one handy place, we've written up everything we know about the Surface Neo.

Surface Neo hardware

Surface Neo is a device that features two LCDs that are joined together by a unique hinge design that allows the screens to be used together via multitasking or individually. It's designed like a book, but can be used in many different postures such as a laptop or tablet when needed as well. The displays themselves are 9-inches each, which totals 13.1-inches of screen real estate when both are in use together.

When closed, the device is 11.2mm thin, making both halves 5.6mm when open. It's also 655 grams, which is a little on the heavier side but adds to the overall premium feel of the device. On the outside, the device is covered in glass, which is a departure from other Surface products that historically use magnesium or aluminum.

The Neo also has a Windows Hello IR set up along the top bezel on the left side of the device, as well as a front-facing camera to go with it. On the left side of the device are the power and volume buttons, with a single USB-C port located near the hinge on the right side of the device.

On the inside, the Surface Neo is rocking an Intel Lakefield processor, along with an LTE modem for always-connected capabilities. We don't know anything about RAM or Storage at this time, although it's safe to assume it'll be available in your traditional 8GB/16GB RAM configurations along with 128GB/256GB of storage.

Surface Neo software

On the software side of things, the Surface Neo was announced as running a new version of Windows called Windows 10X. This was a new modern OS from Microsoft that was designed for lightweight computing and modern experiences no matter the device. It guts legacy components and features, which means everything from the Windows Shell to the underlying OS has been rebuilt with modern technologies, while still maintaining legacy app support for those who need it.

Unfortunately, Microsoft has canceled Windows 10X and is instead bringing the best of the Windows 10X UX over to the full version of Windows with the upcoming Windows 11 release. Microsoft hasn't said, but perhaps the company will end up shipping Surface Neo with Windows 11 instead? Windows 11 is expected to ship this fall.

Surface Neo accessories

In addition to the hardware itself, Microsoft also unveiled two accessories that pair with the Surface Neo. The first of which is a magnetic keyboard that attaches to the display and allows you to type with tactile feedback, just like on a laptop with a dedicated keyboard. The keyboard can also attach to the outside of the device, which is where it can wirelessly charge when not in use. The other accessory is the new Surface Pen, which also wirelessly charges on the back of the device.

The keyboard accessory, when attached to the display, enables "Wonderbar" which essentially turns half of the display into an enhanced TouchBar. You can find emojis, control functions, and even use a virtual trackpad.

Surface Neo release date

Microsoft had originally planned to ship Surface Neo at the end of 2020, however that plan has been delayed and now the product sits without a known release date. Now that Windows 10X is canceled, it's possible that we'll never see Surface Neo hit store shelves. That said, Microsoft could, if it wanted, ship Surface Neo with the full version of Windows. The upcoming Windows 11 release has a new UI that takes inspiration from Windows 10X, so I could definitely see that happen.

But we'll have to wait and see. In the meantime, what are your thoughts on Surface Neo? Let us know in the comments.

Windows 10X was a new version of Windows that has been built from the ground up for new PCs, and was supposed to begin shipping on hardware in 2021. It's built on top of a new modern version of Windows called 'Windows Core OS' that guts legacy components and features in favor of contemporary user experiences and enhanced security.

Unfortunately, Microsoft has announced that development on Windows 10X has been postponed and will not be launching on new PCs this year. In fact, it's unlikely Windows 10X will ever launch now that Microsoft is working on a big new user experience refresh for Windows Desktop codenamed Sun Valley and expected to launch at the tail-end of this year.

Either way, this article remains as a look-back at some of the new experiences and changes Microsoft had pioneered with Windows 10X.

A new user experience

Windows 10X featured a new shell — the user interface — that was built with modern technologies. It's an adaptive user experience that can adjust depending on the "posture" of your device. For example, with a foldable PC, the user might want to use it in several different ways; as a laptop, or tablet, or in tent mode for movies. Because of this, the user interface must adapt to provide the best experience no matter which way your device is being used.

This also means that legacy shell elements, such as the Control Panel, File Explorer, and error dialogs and icons are gone on Windows 10X. As Microsoft has rebuilt the entire shell, it doesn't include any of the legacy things that makes Windows 10 so inconsistent when it comes to UI. The Windows Shell on Windows 10X should be much more consistent.

A new Start menu

Microsoft had redesigned the Start menu experience on Windows 10X with a focus on productivity. It features a system-wide search bar along the top that can also search the web, and a grid of installed apps below that in place of live tiles.

It also has a "recent activities" area that dynamically updates with things the user might want to jump straight into, such as recent Office documents and visited websites. The apps list can be customized, with the ability for users to rearrange which apps show up in the first few rows.

A new Taskbar

Windows 10X also had a new adaptive Taskbar that features a centered design. The Start and Task View buttons appear in the center, with running and pinned apps appearing between the two. When you open an app, the Start and Task View buttons gently spread apart, giving the Taskbar a much more fluid appearance.

There are some new animations; the Start and Task View buttons have their own animations when clicked on, and there's a subtle bounce to app icons when you minimize running apps to the Taskbar. In addition to the new design, there's also up to three different Taskbar sizes: Small, medium and large. Large is great for tablets, while medium and small mimic the usual sizes we already have today on Windows 10.

On tablets, users can now swipe up anywhere on the Taskbar to access the Start menu, making it easier for touch users to access their apps list. You no longer have to hit the specific Start button to access your Start menu.

A new Action Center

In addition to the new Start and Taskbar experiences, there was also a new Action Center to compliment them. This new Action Center puts more emphasis on quick actions, with the ability to jump into specific quick actions for further control without leaving the Action Center at all.

It's also designed in such a way that mimics a control center, with notifications housed above it in a separate box. This new Action Center includes things like volume controls, power options, and battery percentage. There's also a new music control UI that appears in the Action Center when music is playing from a supported app.

A new set up experience

Since every part of Windows 10X has been redesigned, the out of box experience has too been updated with a modern look and feel. It still walks you through the Windows setup process, selecting your language, signing-in with a Microsoft Account, and agreeing to terms and conditions, but Cortana is no longer present throughout the set up process. It's a more traditional setup experience, that's been beautified on 10X.

The new File Explorer

Since Windows 10X has a modern core, legacy components such as the classic File Explorer are no longer present. This means Microsoft has built a new File Explorer specific to Windows 10X, and it's built around OneDrive. Windows 10X is a web-first OS, and that includes how you store and manage files on your Windows 10X PC. By default, all your files are synced with your OneDrive account in the cloud while also being available locally on the device.

Improved Windows Update

Microsoft is also improving Windows Update in a way that makes it much faster on Windows 10X. Feature updates will not take as long to install as they do on Windows 10 as those feature updates are now installed in the background without requiring a reboot until the update is done. So, just like on Android and Chrome OS, when the update is ready to restart your PC, it'll just restart like normal, and won't take 15 minutes to finish installing before you're back up and running.

This should result in updates that take less than 90 seconds to reboot. Internal testing suggests it's even faster than that. This is a huge improvement over how Windows 10 does updates today, which can take anywhere between 5 minutes and 20 minutes to reboot, depending on the device.

Secure by default

Unlike Windows 10, Windows 10X featured something called "state separation" which is how the OS lays itself out on a drive. Windows 10 today installs everything into a single partition, which means the user can access system files, as can apps and potential attackers. On Windows 10X, everything goes into its own read-only partition. So OS files are locked away, as are app files, as are drivers, and the registry. The only thing the user and applications can access are the user partition.

This means that malware or viruses can't get in and affect the system, because those programs are only able to operate in a single partition, and that assumes they're able to get outside of the app container system Microsoft has built. All apps on Windows 10X run in a container, and need explicit permissions to access things that are outside that container. This is already how UWP apps work on Windows 10, and Microsoft will be extending that to Win32 apps on Windows 10X when support for Win32 apps arrives.

Coming never?

Microsoft announced earlier this year that Windows 10X had been postponed beyond 2021, and that it was instead prioritizing bringing the best of Windows 10X over to the full version of Windows. This means that Windows 10X will likely never ship, but that a lot of the Windows 10X UX will ship as part of the Sun Valley project instead.

What you need to know

• Windows 10X is not launching this year.
• Microsoft will bring the best of 10X to Windows Desktop instead.

Microsoft has today confirmed that Windows 10X will not be launching this year, citing a decision to instead deliver certain parts of Windows 10X on other Windows products instead. Microsoft will be bringing a number of Windows 10X innovations to the full version of Windows this fall.

The blog post doesn't specifically state that Windows 10X is never coming, but it's likely that it never will. If Microsoft is bringing the best of Windows 10X over to the full version of Windows, the need for Windows 10X becomes significantly less obvious.

Microsoft's blog post details the following:

Microsoft says Windows 10X features like app container technology in Microsoft Defender Application Guard, a new Voice Typing experience, and a modernized touch keyboard will be coming to Windows users this fall, and are already in testing with Insiders.

We also know that Microsoft is currently working on a major user experience (UX) rejuvenation effort for Windows internally, which is codenamed Sun Valley and is expected to include UI changes such as a centered taskbar and new Start menu UI, among many other UX changes.

Much of this new UX will be inspired by some of the UI changes that Microsoft was exploring on Windows 10X. So, although Windows 10X itself isn't launching, the best parts of the Windows 10X UX still will.

In the meantime, what are your thoughts on Windows 10X? Let us know in the comments.

With recent reports indicating that Microsoft is putting Windows 10X on the backburner in favor of focusing efforts on Windows 10 desktop, the question is: What comes next? After all, Windows Desktop has been proceeding as-is for quite a while now, and though it's a decades-in-the-making achievement, all good things must come to an end. So should that end be now, and if so, what should Microsoft rebrand with or move on to?

Vote for the future of Windows and let us know what path you'd like to see Microsoft take. Think it should keep going up the numerical ladder by choosing Windows 11, just like it did by following up Windows 8 with Windows 9 — oh, wait. Or how about Windows 21, since skipping numbers for the heck of it is a great way to make a clean break from what came before?

Alternatively, if your dream future for Windows isn't listed above, feel free to drop a comment explaining what your ideal operating system would be, what it would be branded as, and why. And if you feel Windows 10 is fine as-is and you don't want a rebrand or new OS, share that as well! There are many reasons to love the current iteration of Windows, even if it's not exactly built on the freshest foundation.

With recent reports revealing that Microsoft has put Windows 10X on the backburner, the question around what the future looks like for Windows is more apparent than ever. Windows 10X was supposed to lay the foundation for the next generation of Windows, but with the project no longer happening, where does that leave Windows as a whole?

It's fair to say that Windows Desktop, while versatile and incredible in its own ways, is not a modern OS. It's a platform built on a codebase spanning decades, and still relevant today to over 1.3 billion users. That said, rival platforms like iPadOS and Chrome OS are much more modern, lightweight, secure, and easier to update, positioning each as increasingly popular as PC replacements.

Windows 10X was Microsoft's answer to these platforms. As modern workflows continue to evolve, Windows needs to stay current with user experience (UX) trends and technical advances, where Windows Desktop has fallen short. Maintaining that legacy baggage is important, but it typically comes at the cost of platform and UX innovation.

For example, most modern platforms are partitioned up in a way that enhances security and updates. The end-user isn't able to access system files by default, and third-party apps are installed into a separate partition, unable to access sensitive files or data without the correct permissions.

Windows Desktop has none of that. The entire OS stack is installed into one partition and everything has access to everything. This is what makes Windows an "open platform," as end-users and third-party apps can do whatever they want, but it comes at the cost of security and ease of updates. It causes further troubles, allowing malware to access OS and user files with little effort.

Windows 10X was where Microsoft was able to introduce these platform innovations, locking away important OS files and user data into their own partitions. It also allowed Microsoft to improve Windows Update, meaning new feature releases take a few seconds, just like on Android or Chrome OS.

Performance and OS size is another key benefit of modern operating systems over Windows Desktop. A modern OS will often perform better on the same hardware compared to Windows Desktop, which is a much heavier OS in comparison. It's also much larger, taking up dozens of gigabytes on a disk drive. Windows 10X typically takes up less than 10GB.

Windows 10X is a product that sits in top of a modern reworking of the Windows codebase called Windows Core OS (WCOS.) It's something Microsoft has been building for many years, and is a modular and lightweight Windows core designed for future computing devices. It's what powers HoloLens 2, and was going to power PCs with Windows 10X.

But with Windows 10X on the backburner, these platform innovations are no longer coming to PCs as they were developed with Windows Core OS in mind, not Windows Desktop. So, what's next for Windows, and what happens to all the resources and time spent building Windows 10X? Let's speculate.

What's next for Windows?

The immediate future for Windows is actually quite exciting. Microsoft has some big plans for Windows Desktop this fall that involves a major rejuvenation of the Windows UX. This will introduce new icons, sounds, animations, app designs, and shell features under an effort codenamed Sun Valley, designed to give the impression of a new Windows.

Windows is in dire need of a visual refresh to keep it current in a world driven by modern platforms. Microsoft wants to make Windows easier to use, better with touch and pen, and more personal and productive, all welcome changes on Windows Desktop.

But what's beyond Sun Valley? The answer is less obvious. I think we'll see Microsoft continue to embrace the "openness" of Windows Desktop. You can already run Linux apps on Windows with the Windows Subsystem for Linux, and they could easily expand that to support Android apps too. In fact, we know Microsoft is at least considering it with "Project Latte."

Microsoft wants Windows Desktop to be the de-facto platform for computing. Whether that be legacy Windows apps, modern Windows apps, web apps, Linux apps, and maybe even Android apps in the future. Microsoft is continuing work on Windows Desktop for years to come, and I'm sure it's looking to bring over more under the hood innovations from Windows 10X / Core OS too.

Windows 10X exists as it's incredibly hard to retroactively add under the hood platform innovations to the existing version of Windows Desktop. It was easier for Microsoft to rework the entire Windows core with Windows Core OS and build a modern version of Windows. with platform innovations built right in.

Introducing platform changes like system-wide Win32 app containerization or OS state separation could break compatibility with some legacy apps or code. As always, Microsoft's commitment to legacy app support is its greatest ally and greatest curse. That said, I do think Microsoft will try to turn Windows Desktop into something of a hybrid between Core OS and Legacy Windows where it can. The question is, where can it?

Windows Desktop will always have a place on the market, as there will always be a need for legacy Windows apps. But it will never be an operating system that can carry Microsoft into the more mobile, unique, and futuristic device form factors that don't yet exist. Microsoft needs an adaptable, lightweight, and secure version of Windows, and that's what Windows Core OS delivers.

I think we're going to see WCOS used sparingly going forward. Microsoft considered it the future of Windows for all devices at one point, but that dream is untenable given Microsoft's commitment to legacy app support. So instead, I think WCOS will become the default choice for new form factors where legacy Windows apps aren't obviously necessary, just like HoloLens 2.

But right now, Microsoft's focus is where its users are: Windows Desktop, and it wants to make Windows Desktop feel as modern as possible for the best Windows laptops, desktops, and tablets out there. A new UX with new features and a fresh coat of paint is what Windows Desktop needs right now, so it makes sense that Microsoft is prioritizing the required work.

Windows is exciting again. Even with Windows 10X on the backburner, I think the next couple of years are going to be remarkably interesting for Windows fans. What are your thoughts? Do you think Windows 10X is more important than Windows Desktop? Let us know in the comments.

Recent reports are suggesting that Windows 10X is not happening anytime soon. After being delayed in 2020 with the company promising a shift in strategy to single-screened PCs, Microsoft now appears to have put the whole thing on hold. That means the Surface Neo is OS-less, and that's not good.

We've not had an official update about Windows 10X or Surface Neo in over a year, which gives the impression that Microsoft doesn't actually know what to do with Windows 10X now that Sun Valley for Windows 10 desktop is in the works. As a refresher, Sun Valley is a UI effort that aims to reinvigorate Windows Desktop with a modern interface, new features, and better performance across PC and tablet form factors.

Windows 10X was a promising idea; a modern version of Windows that is more secure, with faster Windows Updates, a modern and fresh desktop UI, and a smaller footprint in size and lower performance requirements. On paper, it's the best version of Windows yet, but in practice, it's not the best version of "Windows" at all. Windows 10X is a version of Windows without native support for the majority of Windows applications.

Windows applications are made up of mostly legacy Win32 apps, with a small number of apps adopting Microsoft's modern universal Windows 10 app platform. It's the universal app platform that runs "natively" on Windows 10X, with Win32 apps being delegated to running in a virtualized container. This is more secure, but it comes at the cost of app performance as to get those apps running, the OS needs to essentially spin up full Windows 10 in the background.

Microsoft has been considering shipping Windows 10X without Win32 virtualization support at launch because running those apps on a low-end PC is untenable. But even then, we don't know if Microsoft will actually ship Windows 10X at this point. A lot has changed in the last year, and Sun Valley has taken precedent internally as the most important thing for Windows today.

Ship the Surface Neo with Windows 10 (not 10X)

So, if Windows 10X doesn't ship, what will Microsoft do with Surface Neo or the OEM partners who were building dual-screen/foldable PCs with Windows 10X in mind? I think the answer is obvious, and there's already precedent for this; ship it with another operating system. This is the story of Surface Duo, which was first envisioned as a Windows device but shipped as an Android device.

I'm not saying Microsoft should ship Surface Neo with Android — that's the last thing I want to see happen. Nobody wants Microsoft to make an Android PC/tablet hybrid like the Neo, as Android is notoriously bad on those kind of form factors. Microsoft's time would be better spent improving the tablet experience on Windows 10 instead.

With Sun Valley, I have a feeling that Microsoft is taking touch and pen experiences seriously again. This is good news for a device like Surface Neo, which puts those input types front and center. The only issue stopping Surface Neo from shipping with Windows 10 right now is the static and old Windows interface that isn't adaptable to the many postures that Surface Neo introduces.

Microsoft could fix this with Sun Valley by introducing a modern interface that can adapt to the Surface Neo's three main postures: book mode, laptop mode, and tablet mode. Windows 10 already supports dual-screens, which with some tweaks, could work nicely with the book posture.

Windows 10 also already has a tablet mode, which isn't great, but assuming Sun Valley fixes top complaints, that issue is partially solved. But Windows 10 is missing a dedicated laptop mode for the Surface Neo and indeed other foldable PCs. It's one of the reasons why Lenovo's Yoga X1 Fold isn't great to use, after shipping with full Windows that doesn't have a "laptop" mode.

Microsoft would need to introduce a mode that could recognize when a foldable device was being used in the laptop posture. On Windows 10X, the OS shifts the desktop UI to one side and places the virtual keyboard and trackpad on the other. Interestingly, Microsoft has already introduced the Windows 10X touch keyboard on the desktop in the latest Insider builds, which even includes the "Wunderbar."

A virtual trackpad is already built into Windows desktop too. All Microsoft needs to do is combine those and align them correctly on one half of the display, when a user initiates the laptop posture, and you've got yourself a working laptop mode for a device like Surface Neo or the Lenovo X1 Fold. That's oversimplifying the work required to make this happen, but the plumbing for something like this seems to already be in place.

Time will tell

All in all, I don't know what Microsoft is going to do with Surface Neo. Maybe Microsoft will eventually ship it with Windows 10X if the OS is ever deemed ready, but the Surface Neo's hardware is aging fast, and the longer the company waits, the harder a sell the Surface Neo (as announced) will be. People were already complaining about the bezels in 2019, and by the time it ships, it will have been years.

If Microsoft wants to salvage what they have regarding the hardware, it needs to launch ASAP, and that could happen if they just ship it with the Sun Valley release of Windows 10. The other benefits of Windows Core OS (WCOS) such as faster Windows updates are things that Surface Neo will just have to miss out on, but that's better than not having a chance to use the hardware at all.

I think (hope) that with Sun Valley, Windows 10 desktop will be in a much better position to ship on a device like Surface Neo. But what are your thoughts? Should Microsoft ship it with Windows 10 desktop, sit on it until Windows 10X is ready, or if Windows 10X never ships, outright cancel it? Let us know in the comments.

What you need to know

• A new report claims Windows 10X is not happening this year.
• Microsoft is focused on rejuvenating Windows Desktop instead.

A new report from Petri today claims that Microsoft has put Windows 10X on hold indefinitely, with no plans to bring it to market this year. This comes after Microsoft publicly delayed Windows 10X, promising a launch in 2021 that would come first to single-screen PCs. Now, it looks like that plan has been totally scrapped, and 10X is now on the backburner as Microsoft refocuses its efforts on the full version of Windows 10.

I can confirm that I've been hearing the same over the last several weeks. Microsoft halted Windows 10X internal selfhost testing in February, and hasn't restarted it since. Microsoft used to offer 10X selfhost builds for a number of Surface devices, but all of those selfhost images have been removed from the internal portal, and movement on 10X as a whole has grinded to a halt.

Windows 10X is an a rough position now that Sun Valley is in the works for Windows 10 desktop. Microsoft's Sun Valley effort aims to reinvigorate the Windows Desktop with modern user interfaces and experiences, and that includes bringing over many Windows 10X innovations to the full version of Windows 10. This leaves little reason for Microsoft to ship Windows 10X this year.

Perhaps Microsoft will revisit the idea of Windows 10X in the future, but for now it's not happening, as all of Microsoft's efforts are focused on bringing Sun Valley to life in time for the fall release of Windows 10. This update will be the biggest for Windows 10 so far, introducing a new UX, iconography, sounds, features, and more. It's going to be a Windows 11 in all but name.

Some of Windows 10X's advantages, such as faster Windows Updates, lower spec requirements, and a locked-down, state separated OS image are things that Windows users are going to have to miss out on for now. Microsoft could work these things into Windows Desktop in the future, but that's just speculation. The Sun Valley effort is mostly about the UI and UX layers, not underlying technical OS changes.

Microsoft's money maker is Windows 10, with over 1.3 billion users. It's right for Microsoft to cater to that market first before trying to launch a new version of Windows that can only be acquired by buying a new PC. If Microsoft is able to modernize full Windows 10 in a similar way that it did with Windows 10X, the need for Windows 10X becomes less obvious. And that's exactly what Sun Valley is doing.

Microsoft is expected to talk more about Windows in the next month or so at a rumored dedicated Windows event. Microsoft wants the world to know that "Windows is back," with a shiny new release and a reinvigorated effort to make it the best OS in the world. Windows 10X not happening is a major blowback, but the things Microsoft has in the works for desktop will likely overshadow Windows 10X anyway.

What are your thoughts? Do you think Microsoft should prioritize Windows 10X over trying to modernize Windows 10 desktop? Let us know in the comments.

What you need to know

• The Zorin OS 16 Ultimate Linux distro will soon have a layout that looks like Windows 10X.
• The layout will have a centralized Start Menu and buttons and an overall look that resembles Windows 10X.
• Zorin also announced Zorin OS 16 beta today, which includes several new features and options.

If you love the look of Windows 10X but don't want to run it on your PC, you may be in luck. An upcoming Linux distro looks to emulate the look and feel of Windows 10X while keeping the features people enjoy from Linux. The Windows10X-esque update will be available in Zorin OS 16 Ultimate, which will be available as a stable release this summer.

We don't have many images of the upcoming Zorin OS 16 Ultimate, but the one we do have shows off a centralized Start Menu along the taskbar. Zorin also states that the distro will adapt well to computers with touchpads, mice, or touchscreens.

The overall layout appears quite similar to Windows 10X, including its button placement, color scheme, and overall style.

In addition to teasing the upcoming new look of the Linux distro, Zorin announced the beta of Zorin OS 16. While it doesn't look exactly like Windows 10 or Windows 10X, it does look nice.

The lockscreen of Zorin OS 16 beta does take a page out of the Windows 10 playbook. It has a frosted look that blurs your background image and places it behind the login UI.

Zorin OS 16 beta also has Flabhub, quicker touchpad gestures, a new sound recorder app, and a customizable taskbar. You can read more about Zorin OS 16 beta in Zorin's latest blog post.

Earlier this week, Microsoft's chief product officer Panos Panay dropped a brief yet tantalizing tease that something big is on the way for Windows by referring to what's next as "the next generation of Windows." Microsoft hasn't used terminology like that since the debut of Windows 10 in 2015, and that was because Windows 10 was a new operating system replacing the previous one, backed by a huge marketing campaign focused on getting users to upgrade to the shiny new Windows.

Therefore, Panay referring to "the next generation of Windows" is a much bigger deal than you might think because it's terminology Microsoft should want to avoid now that Windows 10 is the "last version" of Windows that is updated as a service. You can't have a next generation of Windows if Windows 10 is the last version. So, what is Panay referring to? Let's put our thinking caps on.

Is it Sun Valley or Windows 10X?

I think that this "next generation of Windows" refers to both Windows 10X and Microsoft's upcoming Sun Valley update for Windows 10. On the Windows 10X side, things are self-explanatory. Windows 10X is built on a brand new, modern core without all the legacy bloat of "big" Windows, and can easily be categorized as the true next generation of Windows built from the ground up with new user experiences and modern workflows in mind. But 10X isn't ready for mainstream markets yet.

On the other hand, Windows desktop is still one of Microsoft's biggest products, and that isn't going to change because Windows 10X is here. I can't imagine a world where Windows 10X takes over as the 'mainstream' version of Windows for at least another five years, and that's being generous. So Microsoft can't ignore the best Windows desktop PCs, even if it wanted to.

That's where Sun Valley comes in. Microsoft itself has said that it's planning a "sweeping rejuvenation" of Windows, which will include a modern and consistent UI design, new features, and will make the Windows desktop something that people want to use again. Windows 10 today isn't the prettiest bit of software out there and it's not the easiest to use. This often comes to the detriment of Surface, which strives to build minimalistic yet functional PC hardware.

I reckon Panay wants big Windows to complement Surface hardware in ways that it just isn't doing right now, and that's what Sun Valley is able to bring to the table. Of course, most of the improvements coming to Windows with Sun Valley will be applicable to all PCs running Windows 10 today, but from Microsoft's perspective, their hardware and software can finally ship as one united product that go hand-in-hand.

A marketing strategy?

The "next generation" is likely marketing terminology designed to get customers to upgrade or buy new PCs with Sun Valley or Windows 10X preinstalled later this year and into 2022. It's phrasing that tells the world that Windows is back and still relevant, and tricks you into wanting a new PC.

That's not a bad thing, of course. It would be nothing but a good thing for Windows fans if Microsoft is considering the next big Windows 10 update worthy of the "next generation" moniker.

It wouldn't make much sense to call just Windows 10X the "next generation" while similtaneously delivering this big Sun Valley update for Windows 10 desktops. It would undermine Sun Valley and ultimately confuse customers. That's why I think "next generation" refers to both Sun Valley and Windows 10X.

Existing Windows 10 PCs will likely still get updated to this next generation just like previous versions of Windows 10, and Windows 10X will be what's exclusive to new PCs. I do think that Sun Valley will serve as a spiritual Windows 11, just without the new name or changes to licensing.

Overall, I think it's a combination of Microsoft's efforts with Windows 10X, as well as a huge push to get legacy Windows back into the spotlight with a shiny new release designed to keep the OS relevant in a world driven by mobile platforms. I'll be surprised if it ends up being a new version of Windows with a new name that costs money to upgrade to like in the old days.

This is all speculation, of course. It's fun to wonder, and I think it's going to be super interesting to see what Panos Panay and his team has planned for Windows later this year. It's starting to feel like Windows is important to Microsoft again, and that's a good thing.

Also remember that the version of Windows 10 scheduled to ship at the end of this year will be Panos Panay's first real version of the OS to ship under his leadership, so it's no surprise to hear that he has big plans in store for the platform. What are your thoughts? Let us know in the comments.

This is the Windows Central Podcast, and this week we're back with more follow up on Surface Pro 7+, and Zac spells out what Microsoft could be doing to improve Surface Duo. He and Daniel also take on Windows 10X, haptic touchpad, HP's Omen 15 gaming laptop, and more.

This episode of the Windows Central Podcast was recorded on February 5th 2021.

Links:

• Surface Pro 7+ vs. Surface Pro 7: What's the difference? | Windows Central
• Microsoft needs to step up for Surface Duo to be taken seriously | Windows Central
• You can install Windows 10X on unsupported PCs using this new tool | Windows Central
• Haptic touchpads are finally coming to Windows laptops. Here's why it matters. | Windows Central
• HP Omen 15 (2020) review: A generational refresh turns this gaming laptop into one of the best values around | Windows Central

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• Zac Bowden

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What you need to know

• A new tool is available that helps you install Windows 10X onto unsupported devices.
• The tool can be used to create a Full Flash Update package of Windows 10X.
• The tool does not provide include the Unified Update Platform files of Windows 10X, which you'll have to find yourself.

The push to get Windows 10X running on unsupported devices continues to march forward. We've already seen the new version of Windows running on a Lumia 950XL, Surface Pro 7, and a MacBook. Our senior editor Zac Bowden even went hands-on with Windows 10X on a Surface Pro 6. Now, a new tool is available that helps people install Windows 10X onto unsupported devices.

Twitter user "Albacore" created a tool named the "Device Image Generator" to make it easier to install Windows 10X on unsupported devices. The tool can be used to create a Full Flash Update (FFU) package.

As explained by XDA-Developers, there is no universal installer for Windows 10X. This is because Microsoft does not plan to let people install Windows 10X on their existing devices. But just because there isn't a universal installer for Windows 10X doesn't mean that there aren't ways to get it on a device it was never meant to grace.

One of the issues preventing Windows 10X from running on unsupported hardware is a lack of available drivers. The Device Image Generator allows you to export the required drivers from an existing Windows 10 device and to inject them into an image.

The tool also creates a set of configuration packages that you need to create a final image for installation.

The Device Image Generator does not download the Unified Update Platform (UUP) files of Windows 10X. We won't link to those files here, but you can find them if you know where to look.

The Device Image Generator is in beta, so there's a risk that it could cause an issue with your device. Of course, flashing an unsupported operating system onto a device can cause issues regardless of what tool you're using to do it.

In addition to any issues you may run into due to the tool being in beta and the fact that you're trying to put unsupported software onto a device, there isn't a final build of Windows 10X available at this time, so anything you put onto a device is unfinished software.

What you need to know

• Our latest video shows off Windows 10X on the Surface Pro 6 as a dedicated tablet.
• Windows 10X doesn't have a dedicated tablet mode.
• The operating system does support gestures and other features to make it work well on tablets.

We've already gone hands-on with Windows 10X on single-screen devices, but in that video, we looked at the new version of Windows on a laptop. In our latest video, our senior editor Zac Bowden takes a look at Windows 10X running on a tablet. Bowden managed to get Windows 10X running on a Surface Pro 6 to show off the OS.

Windows 10X doesn't have a dedicated tablet mode, but it does have several features that make it work well on tablets. For example, you can swipe up from the bottom bezel of a tablet to bring up the Start Menu rather than tapping the relatively small Start Menu icon. You can also swipe up from the corner to bring up the Quick Actions panel and swipe from the left or right to open Task View.

Windows 10X also has an improved keyboard experience that lends itself well to touchscreens. In fact, the touchscreen keyboard on Windows 10X will arrive on regular Windows 10 later this year.

Windows 10X will not officially ship to any device that's currently available. Instead, it will only be on specific devices in the future. It's expected to launch on commercial-focused PCs sometime this spring.

Just because Windows 10X won't ship to any existing devices, doesn't mean that developers haven't managed to get it running on unsupported hardware. In addition to our video showing Windows 10X on a Surface Pro 6, we've also seen the operating system running on a Lumia 950 XL, Surface Pro 7, and even a MacBook.

We're back with another exciting episode of the Windows Central Podcast, and this week, Zac and Dan catch up on Microsoft's Surface Pro 7+ for Business and tour an as-yet-unreleased version of Windows 10X for single-screen PCs. Microsoft Edge 88 is here as well, plus confusion and consternation regarding Xbox Live Gold. The guys also check out some of the best announcements from CES 2021.

This episode of the Windows Central Podcast was recorded on January 22nd 2021.

Links:

• Microsoft announces Surface Pro 7+ for Business: 4G LTE, 32GB of RAM, and 11th Gen Intel | Windows Central
• Hands-on with Windows 10X for single-screen PCs (video) | Windows Central
• Windows 10 Sun Valley: Everything we know so far | Windows Central
• Microsoft Edge 88 arrives with new privacy, security, and productivity features | Windows Central
• Xbox Live Gold price increase reversed, Gold no longer required for free to play games | Windows Central
• Windows Central's Best of CES 2021 | Windows Central

Sponsor:

IPVanish: Online security made easy. Help secure your private information like your location data, personal identity, and browsing history when you use the internet on any computer or mobile device. IPVanish is offering an incredible 65% off – just $3.49 for the first month or $27.99 for the year. Go to IPVANISH.com/windowscentral

Subscribe to the podcast

• Download directly: Audio
• Listen via Spotify
• Listen via: Windows Central app Windows 10 | Android
• Subscribe via iTunes
• Subscribe via RSS
• Subscribe via Google Play Music
• Subscribe via Pocket Casts
• Watch the live stream video archive

Hosts

• Daniel Rubino
• Zac Bowden

Make this show great by participating!

Send in your comments, questions, and feedback to:

• Email: wcpodcast@windowscentral.com
• Twitter: @WindowsCentral with hashtag #wcpodcast

What you need to know

• Videos have emerged of Windows 10X running on a Lumia 950 XL.
• Developers managed to get Windows 10X to support cellular connectivity on the mobile device.
• Windows 10X will not officially come to any existing hardware.

Developers continue to show off Windows 10X running on devices that it was never meant to touch. Twitter user Gustave Monce, and expert on running unsupported software on things, recently shared several videos of Microsoft's new version of Windows running on the Lumia 950 XL.

Windows 10X won't ship to any current devices, and it especially wasn't meant for a smartphone from a dead platform, but Monce's videos are here, nonetheless. In the videos, the Lumia 950 XL handles touch, running apps, and multitasking fairly well.

When people first managed to get Windows 10X to run on the Lumia 950 XL, some key features weren't working, including cellular connectivity, cellular calling, and auto-rotation. Those features appear to be working now, as shown off in Monce's tweets.

It's important to note that this is an unfinished build of Windows 10X running on a device that it was never meant to run on. As a result, glitches, bugs and broken features are bound to happen. That might seem self-explanatory, but some online have complained about the performance of Windows 10X running on unsupported hardware.

Developers also managed to get Windows 10X running on a Surface Pro 7 and showed it off in a video as well.

There are resources and guides on the web that allow you to flash Windows 10X onto devices, but they can brick your device or cause other issues. We won't link to them here, but if you really know what you're doing, they aren't hard to find on the web.

You don't need to risk bricking a device to see Windows 10X in action. We recently went hands-on with Windows 10X and show off the operating system in a full video.

What you need to know

• A new video shows Windows 10X running on a Surface Pro 7.
• Windows 10X won't ship to the Surface Pro 7, but people have managed to get it onto the device.
• Windows 10X has also been spotted on a Lumia 950 XL and a MacBook Air.

Yesterday, images came out showing off Windows 10X running on several unsupported devices, including the Surface Pro 7, MacBook Air, and Lumia 950 XL. While a picture is worth a thousand words, a video does the beautiful operating system more justice. UX designer and expert on getting things to run where they shouldn't, ADeltaX, recently shared a video of Windows 10X on a Surface Pro 7.

The video is a fluidity test to see how the new version of Windows runs on the unsupported hardware. There are some moments of lag, but overall Windows 10X seems to run well on the Surface Pro 7, especially considering that it isn't a final build and is running on unsupported hardware.

A tweet by ADeltaX explains that most drivers work, but that orientation doesn't work and audio requires a registry patch.

The video shows off the new Start Menu, Taskbar, Action Center, and other elements of Windows 10X. Navigating the operating system with touch or a stylus seems to work well, as does inking with the Surface Pen. The video even shows the shortcut button on the Surface Pen working with Windows 10X.

The design and features we see from Windows 10X aren't surprising. We went hands-on with Windows 10X recently. The main takeaway here is how the new version of Windows looks on a current Surface device.

Microsoft won't ship Windows 10X to the Surface Pro 7 or any other current device. Instead, it will only ship with specific new hardware. Windows 10X will first appear on budget-friendly clamshell PCs aimed at education and enterprise. Support for new tablets and other form factors will arrive at a later date.

What you need to know

• Developers managed to get Windows 10X running on several unsupported devices.
• So far, Windows 10X has been seen on a Surface Pro 7, Lumia 950 XL, and a MacBook Air.
• Windows 10X will not officially ship to current devices running Windows 10.

A test video has since come out showing Windows 10X on the Surface Pro 7.

A near-final build of Windows 10X recently leaked online, and developers appear to be having fun with it. People have managed to get Windows 10X to run in some form or another on the Surface Pro 7, Lumia 950 XL, and even a MacBook Pro with Apple's M1 chip, though the latter appears to be through virtualization. We haven't gotten our hands on any of these devices, but it appears that they all have Windows 10X on them in at least some way.

Windows 10X is Microsoft's modern version of Windows. It has a fresh look built from the ground up, including a new Start Menu, a new Action Center, and a new Taskbar. Our senior editor Zac Bowden recently went hands-on with Windows 10X. His video gives us the best look of what the operating system will look like in action, but some developers decided to go in a different direction.

Several developers recently shared images on Twitter showing off Windows 10X on unsupported hardware. Windows 10X won't officially ship to current devices, but that didn't stop people from putting it on a Surface Pro 7, Lumia 950 XL, and a MacBook Air.

Twitter user "ADeltaX" shared three images of the Surface Pro 7 running Windows 10X. It appears that the device runs the new version of Windows, though it's hard to tell what limitations it has from just these images. It does seem that Wi-Fi and Bluetooth work.

Twitter user Gustave Monce has a reputation for getting the Lumia 950 XL to run things it was never meant to. Those efforts continue with Windows 10X appearing on the old phone. The port seems to be in early stages and we only have a single screenshot at this point.

Lastly, Twitter user "imbushuo" showed off Windows 10X on a what appears to be a MacBook Air, though it seems that Windows 10X is running in virtualization.

Before you get your hopes up, you won't be able to get Windows 10X to spice up your old PC, at least not officially. These developers managed to get things running in some shape or form, but Microsoft doesn't plan to ship Windows 10X to any current devices.

Like many of you, I jumped at the chance to see our executive editor Zac Bowden go hands-on with Windows 10X. We've seen screenshots and snippets of Windows 10X and even had an emulator to play with, but this latest video shows it off in 60FPS glory.

While I love the look of Windows 10X as a whole, one feature stuck out to me, its new flyout menus. Microsoft moved many of the system tray shortcuts into the quick actions menu. Not only do these look great, but they improve the functionality of the quick actions menu and make it much easier to control aspects of your PC.

Bowden actually showed off the Action Center on Windows 10X almost a year ago but seeing it in this latest video just got me excited.

It's just gorgeous

Maybe it's weird to think an operating system is gorgeous, but it is what it is. Like many people with desk jobs, I look at a screen running Windows 10 all day. I also study apps and elements of Windows 10 as part of my job, so inconsistencies and weird design choices bug me. The improved quick actions menu on Windows 10X and the flyouts within it just look great.

They don't look like a combination of elements spanning across the greatest hits of Windows. They were built fresh, and it shows. When you use Windows 10, it clearly isn't as new and fresh as an OS like iPadOS. From what we've seen from Windows 10X so far, that gap seems to have sizably shrunk.

Not just about looks

If you jump to the 3-minute mark of the video, you'll see the new quick actions menu in, well, action. The system tray controls for some important items have jumped into the action center, and Microsoft added flyouts to easily control the device.

To me, this new feature is what Windows 10X is all about. It looks great. It fits the new design language Microsoft is shooting for. And most importantly, it actually adds something to the device. While I like that Microsoft has finally updated the volume control UI, a leftover element that I believe is from Windows 8, it still works. It just looks bad while doing it.

The updated quick actions menu improves the functionality of the device. While you can control some elements of Windows 10 directly from the system tray, a lot of the time, clicking on things jumps you over to the Settings app. This works, but it takes extra time. Also, it doesn't feel very modern, at least not to me. When you have to jump through multiple menus and go to a separate app to actually perform a task, it feels like the feature is an afterthought.

It's worth pointing out that Windows 10 lets you change some things directly from the system tray, such as selecting a Wi-Fi network, but the interface on Windows 10X adds more options.

A new type of Windows

I can honestly say I haven't been this excited about Windows in years. Microsoft has a vision for a modern Windows, and it appears that Windows 10X is checking the boxes. I can't wait to get my hands on it, and I can't wait to see how it develops in the future.

What you need to know

• A near final build of Windows 10X has leaked.
• We go hands-on to showcase the OS in all its glory.

Microsoft announced in May last year that it was repositioning Windows 10X as an OS for single-screen PCs, and that's the last we heard about Windows 10X. We haven't had any new preview builds, or an official update from the company about how the OS is going.

Now, a near final build of Windows 10X for single-screen PCs has leaked, giving us a chance to go hands-on with some of the changes Microsoft has made to Windows 10X. The leak confirms our report from last year which claimed Microsoft had removed local Win32 app support, but other than that, not much else has changed.

The Windows 10X user interface is still the same as it was when it was first announced, which is a good thing in our book. The animations are more fluid, and the OS feels much more polished overall.

Windows 10X is expected to launch officially on commercial-focused PCs sometime this spring. What are your thoughts on version one of Windows 10X so far? Let us know in the comments.

What you need to know

• A refreshed Surface Pro and Surface Laptop are on the way.
• Surface Duo is expected to launch in more markets soon.
• Windows 10 21H1 and Windows 10X will launch in the spring.

Microsoft is planning to ship new Surface hardware in the first half of 2021 in the form of an updated Surface Pro and Surface Laptop with new processors and more RAM options. According to my sources, these new devices will feature the same external designs as their previous generation counterparts, with no major design changes expected.

The new Surface Pro '8' is expected to launch in January and feature Intel's new 11th Gen processors, up to 32GB RAM, and more powerful Iris Xe integrated graphics for a significant boost in GPU performance. I'm also told that Microsoft will offer the new Surface Pro with LTE in addition to Wi-Fi only models.

The new Surface Laptop '4' will launch a few months later and feature Intel 11th Gen processors and up to 32GB RAM just like the Surface Pro, as well as newer AMD Ryzen 5 and Ryzen 7 "Surface Edition" chips in the 15-inch model. I'm told that Microsoft will also offer AMD chips in the 13.5-inch Surface Laptop for the first time as well.

Microsoft is also planning to launch the Surface Duo in a handful of more markets in February. I'm told the list of additional markets is small, so don't expect a global rollout of the product. Microsoft is taking a measured and phased approach to Surface Duo availability, as it understandably doesn't want to risk making too many and selling too few.

So that's all the hardware that I'm hearing will make an appearance in the first half of 2021. I'm not expecting to see a new Surface Studio, even though that product line is well overdue a refresh at this point. I've also not heard any whispers about a dedicated Windows 10X device from Microsoft, even though Windows 10X is expected to launch in the spring.

I have a few theories, but I think the reason for this is because the Windows 10X launch in the spring is going to be a low-key event. Without Win32 support, the platform has significantly less appeal to mainstream markets, so a dedicated Surface PC with Windows 10X installed in the spring doesn't make much sense.

Microsoft would likely rather wait until Win32 support is ready, which I'm told will happen in the 2022 timeframe. The version of Windows 10X launching in the spring will be aimed at commercial customers in the enterprise and education sectors, and feature primarily on sub-$600 laptop PCs. It's not going to be something that's actively marketed to mainstream users at first.

I'm told Microsoft is hoping to sign-off on a final build of Windows 10X in the next few days and will begin servicing the OS with bug fixes and security updates on the leadup to launch. OEMs will soon receive the final bits to begin preloading onto hardware in time for the spring.

Microsoft is also planning a minor 21H1 release of Windows 10 desktop for launch in the spring that will include small changes and under the hood improvements. This won't be a full-blown feature update like past spring releases have been, as Microsoft is preparing a major OS update in the fall 2021 season codenamed Sun Valley instead.

Windows Insiders should begin seeing some of the significant Sun Valley specific features and changes in preview builds in early 2021, with the "cobalt" release, known as 21H2, wrapping up development in June. This means that before the second half of next year begins, we should have a good idea of what these big Sun Valley updates are going to look like.

In the meantime, what are you looking forward to from Microsoft in 2021? Let us know in the comments.

With the news that Android apps might come to Windows in some form in the relatively near future, we started chatting about which Android apps people would want to use on their PCs. While we have a few apps in mind, we can be in a bubble when it comes to our usage. There might be apps or games that we don't use or play that people are dying to use on Windows. So, we want to know which Android apps and games you'd like to use on Windows.

Desktops and the browser

Windows 10 has always been attached to discussions of an app gap, but for many desktop users, their needs are met on PCs. With more services and workflows moving to browsers, the value of dedicated apps has diminished some over time, at least on desktops.

That being said, with scaling tech like Samsung DeX being on some of the most popular Android phones, there are some Android apps that are optimized for larger screens in a desktop setting.

Tablets and touch-friendly apps

While desktop users may be happy with Windows 10, the same can't be said for many tablet users. You can pick up Windows 10 tablets with excellent hardware, such as the Surface Pro 7, but software and apps lag behind. Many Windows apps aren't optimized for touch and tablet interfaces.

Android apps coming to Windows could fill the gaps and help create a better tablet experience on Windows 10.

Games on the go

One area that could benefit greatly from Android apps is casual gaming. While Windows 10 has Steam, Epic, and other major gaming stores, mobile and casual games are almost nonexistent on Windows. The Microsoft Store is full of Among US knockoffs and lookalikes, and there are similar situations surrounding other popular titles.

If Android apps come to Windows in a way that's easy to use, casual and mobile gamers could see the biggest boost. Tablets like the Surface Go 2 or Surface Pro X could be used to jump on the latest gaming craze.

Android tablets are currently some of the best devices for Xbox Game Pass Cloud Streaming, and they could become even better gaming devices with support for Android apps.

Over to you

What Android games and apps would you use on your PC? Do you think they'll make an impact on the Windows ecosystem if they come to Windows 10? Let us know in the comments below and share the apps and games that you'd love to use on your PC.

What you need to know

• Big updates for Windows 10 are on the horizon.
• Windows 10X will finally launch on first on laptops.
• Cloud PC service will bring app streaming to the masses.

The year is almost over, so it's time to look to the year ahead and see what we can expect from Windows in 2021. Windows 10 has taken somewhat of a backseat when it comes to major features or OS changes in the last couple of years, but that appears to be about to change as Microsoft aims to refocus on the OS in big ways next year. Here's what my sources are saying to watch out for:

Windows 10

2020 has very much felt like a "groundwork" year for things that are yet to come with Windows 10. Microsoft's Chief Product Officer, Panos Panay, was put in charge of the Windows user experience earlier in the year, and under his leadership Microsoft has announced a "reinvestment" in Windows 10 for the 2021 timeframe.

Officially, we don't yet know what this "reinvestment" in Windows 10 will look like as Microsoft hasn't detailed its plans in this area. However, my sources say that Microsoft is planning a big Windows 10 update in the fall of 2021 that will introduce new top-level features and a refreshed UI that's more modern and consistent.

Microsoft is still planning to ship two Windows 10 feature updates in 2021, but unlike previous years, the significance of each release will be flipped. The spring 21H1 update will be a smaller, servicing style release just like Windows 10 version 20H2 and 19H2 that brings with it minor improvements and changes while laying the groundwork for the bigger 21H2 release in the fall.

In 2021, Microsoft will ship x86 64-bit app emulation for Windows 10 on ARM, a big milestone for the ARM PC platform in general. This will allow devices like the Surface Pro X to run most legacy Windows apps, closing the app gap significantly. These capabilities are expected to enter preview soon and will ship in 2021.

I'm also told that Microsoft is toying with bringing Android apps to the Microsoft Store on Windows 10. I don't know how far along this plan is or when it'll ship, but I'm told it may show up in the 2021 timeframe. I'll have more to share on this soon.

Windows 10X

In addition to refocusing its efforts on Windows 10, Microsoft is also planning to ship Windows 10X in the first half of 2021. Microsoft has been working on Windows 10X behind closed doors for the last few years, and it aims to deliver a modern and lightweight version of the operating system for low and mid-range PCs, as well as flagship foldable PCs too.

Windows 10X will "RTM" in December, and Microsoft is hoping to start shipping the first Windows 10X devices in the spring of 2021. These devices will be mid-range laptops and tablets, and designed to compete directly with the Chromebook market. Windows 10X will ship without local win32 app support, but Microsoft is planning to push its new Cloud PC app streaming service to fill in that gap.

Windows 10X is now being positioned as Microsoft's "Chrome OS" killer, being a lightweight OS with excellent security, battery life, and performance but with the added ability of running Windows apps. In the future, Windows 10X will be able to run Win32 apps locally, but I'm told that capability won't ship until 2022 when it launches on foldable PCs too.

I've also heard that Windows 10X will be able to run on ARM PCs at launch, but we'll have to wait and see if there are any OEMs that ship ARM PCs with it pre-installed. Windows 10X won't be something users can install on their existing PCs, it'll only be available on new PCs that ship with it. Just like Chrome OS, macOS, or iPadOS.

Windows 10 'Cloud PC'

In 2021, Microsoft is planning to ship a new service powered by Windows 10 called 'Cloud PC' that puts a version of Windows in the cloud and allows users to install apps to it so that they can be streamed to any device. This will allow PCs with limited storage or performance capabilities to run heavy applications without it degrading local PC performance.

This will also be how Windows 10X customers can access win32 applications, as local win32 app support won't be there at first. On Windows 10 and Windows 10X, Cloud PC will be an integrated service that syncs with your Microsoft 365 subscription. If you've installed an app to your Cloud PC, it will show up in your Start menu as if it were natively installed, just like Windows Virtual Desktop.

A big year

It's fair to say that if Microsoft keeps to its internal schedules and plans, Windows 10 is in for a big year next year. Perhaps it'll be one of the biggest in recent memory, with a new version launching with Windows 10X in the spring of 2021, and a massive refocus on Windows 10 in the fall of 2021. Fans have been asking for this for a while, and it appears Microsoft is listening.

I'll have more to share regarding the specific features Microsoft is working on for Windows 10 in 2021 soon, but in the meantime, what are you hoping to see? Let us know in the comments.

What you need to know

• Microsoft Edge Insider MSIX installer packages for Windows 10X and HoloLens 2 are now available.
• It's the first time the new Microsoft Edge is available on HoloLens 2.
• Microsoft Edge operates via a SHIM on Windows 10X and HoloLens 2.

Microsoft has released the MSIX installer packages of Edge Insider channels for Windows 10X and HoloLens 2 today. Microsoft previewed the new Microsoft Edge on Windows 10X earlier this year, and the availability of the MSIX allows Windows 10X emulator testers to install an Insider channel of their choice.

The big news is the introduction of Microsoft Edge Insider for HoloLens 2. This is the first time we're seeing the new Microsoft Edge be made available for the WCOS-based HoloLens 2 headset, allowing those customers to take advantage of the new and improved web rendering and performance capabilities of the new Edge.

Up until now, HoloLens 2, like Xbox, has shipped with the old version of Microsoft Edge as those platforms aren't capable of running legacy Win32 programs. The MSIX version of the new Microsoft Edge, when installed on a WCOS product, operates via a SHIM that allows the legacy application to run as if it were a modern app, translating those legacy APIs and talking to the OS as if it were native.

This was previewed with the Windows 10X emulator builds that were released earlier in the year, and today's Insider builds operate the same way on HoloLens 2. Microsoft hasn't released an MSIX for Xbox specifically, but the MSIX package does say Xbox is supported. Unfortunately, there's no way to sideload an MSIX package on Xbox at this time.

If you have the Windows 10X emulator or a HoloLens 2 headset around, you can download the MIcrosoft Edge Beta, Dev, or Canary MSIX now and install the browser today. Let us know how it goes!

What you need to know

• The Windows 10X out of box experience has appeared in the latest desktop builds.
• The video confirms that Windows 10 desktop is getting the same new OOBE experiencecsoon.

It's been some time since we've seen any concrete news about Windows 10X. But people waiting in anticipation for the new version of Windows 10 have something to check out now, a video showcasing the Windows 10X out of box experience (OOBE) on desktop has appeared online. The brief video hints that this new OOBE may soon be making its way to Windows 10 desktop.

The video was shared online by well-known coverer of Windows Albacore.

The video is only 22 seconds long, but it shows a fresh new interface for the OOBE and some of the options that you'll see when setting up a Windows 10 or Windows 10X device in the future. This isn't the first Windows 10X feature to make its way to desktop, either. Just a few weeks ago, Microsoft began testing the new Windows 10X touch keyboard experience on desktop too.

Windows 10X was delayed until next year as Microsoft refocused on delivering the best Windows 10 desktop experience. When Windows 10X is ready, it'll launch first on low-end to mid-range Windows laptops, and not dual-screen PCs. We expect more Windows 10X features and UI to make its way to Windows 10 in the coming months too. What are you most looking forward to? Let us know in the comments.

What you need to know

• Microsoft's Surface Neo store listing no longer states the device is "Coming Holiday 2020."
• The Surface Neo was already suspected to be delayed, but the page adds confirmation.
• Microsoft will release Windows 10X to single-screen devices before any dual-screen devices.

Microsoft's Surface Neo listing on the Microsoft Store no longer states that the device is "Coming Holiday 2020." Delays of the dual-screen PC were already suspected, but the update to the page provides some confirmation. You can check out the current store listing and compare it to this archived version of the page from the Wayback Machine. The only difference appears to be that it no longer states "Coming Holiday 2020."

With Microsoft shifting the priority of Windows 10X to single-screen devices, it's not a surprise that the dual-screen Surface Neo would be delayed.

The Surface Neo is a folding device with two screens and was set to be one of the first devices running Windows 10X. Windows 10X on any device, single or dual-screened won't be released this year, according to recent reports. When Windows 10X does come out, it will first arrive on more traditional single-screen devices, though it could roll out to dual-screen devices at some point in the future.

We're back with another exciting episode of the Windows Central Podcast, and this week, Daniel and Zac cover all the week's news, including Microsoft's Q4 financials and Surface Duo headed to the FCC for device approval. Mary-Jo Foley also chats with Zac about the cloud, Windows 10X, and the future of operating systems at Microsoft.

This episode of the Windows Central Podcast was recorded on July 24th 2020.

Links:

• All About Microsoft | ZDNet
• Xbox Q4 revenue surges 64% driven by record engagement amid pandemic | Windows Central
• Microsoft accused of anticompetitive practices by Slack in EU complaint | Windows Central
• Microsoft Surface Duo appears at FCC ahead of possible early launch | Windows Central
• Microsoft Teams finally getting compiled for ARM64 Windows 10 … eventually | Windows Central
• Every announcement from the Xbox Series X July 2020 event | Windows Central

Subscribe to the podcast

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• Listen via Spotify
• Listen via: Windows Central app Windows 10 | Android
• Subscribe via iTunes
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Hosts

• Daniel Rubino
• Zac Bowden
• Mary-Jo Foley

Make this show great by participating!

Send in your comments, questions, and feedback to:

• Email: wcpodcast@windowscentral.com
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We're back with another exciting episode of the Windows Central Podcast, and this week, Daniel and Zac chat about the recent Twitter hack and Daniel's inability to access his account in the fallout. Surface Duo has been pushed back but is still supposed to ship earlier than expected.

They also catch up on development of Windows 10X, with news that it might launch without local Win32 app support. Also, the launch of Project xCloud, and some changes to Windows 10 build 20170 for Insiders in the Dev Channel.w for Windows 10, and the guys round out the show with some chat about new laptops.

This episode of the Windows Central Podcast was recorded on July 17th 2020.

Links:

• Microsoft Surface Duo and grey Surface Earbuds shown off in tweet from Panos Panay | Windows Central
• Microsoft to launch Windows 10X as a web-first OS without local Win32 app support | Windows Central
• Xbox's Project xCloud launches in September, included in Xbox Game Pass Ultimate | Windows Central
• Windows 10 build 20170 now rolling out for Insiders in the Dev Channel | Windows Central

Subscribe to the podcast

• Download directly: Audio
• Listen via Spotify
• Listen via: Windows Central app Windows 10 | Android
• Subscribe via iTunes
• Subscribe via RSS
• Subscribe via Google Play Music
• Subscribe via Pocket Casts
• Watch the live stream video archive

Hosts

• Daniel Rubino
• Zac Bowden

Make this show great by participating!

Send in your comments, questions, and feedback to:

• Email: wcpodcast@windowscentral.com
• Twitter: @WindowsCentral with hashtag [#wcpodcast](https://twitter.com/search?q=%23wcpodcast&src=typd

What you need to know

• Microsoft might move to a single feature update per year for Windows 10 starting in 2021.
• The shift would free up Microsoft engineers to work on Windows 10X.
• If this is the case, Microsoft could work on updates for Windows 10 and Windows 10X going forward.

Windows 10 news is building up today. Following our report on Microsoft planning to launch Windows 10X as a web-first OS, reports emerged that Microsoft might make a major shift in its update schedule for Windows 10. According to ZDNet's Mary Jo Foley, Microsoft might switch to a single feature update for Windows 10 each year. If this happens, it would free Microsoft engineers up to focus on Windows 10X as well. If this shift occurs, current reports state that the shift would start in 2021.

According to Foley and sources she's spoken with, Microsoft could switch to one feature update for Windows 10 in 2021. Bringing all of the new reports together, this would mean that Microsoft would ship Windows 10X updates in spring and Windows 10 updates in fall going ahead.

Foley outlines what this new update schedule could look like in her report. In 2020, Microsoft would roll out Windows 10 20H2, which is a minor feature update. Then, in spring 2021, Microsoft would release Windows 10X. Following that, in the fall of 2021, Microsoft would then release the next feature update for Windows 10, which would be 21H2 if the company sticks with the current naming convention.

As with any reports on internal plans that Microsoft has not shared publicly, these schedule changes might not happen or could change in the future. If they did roll out in a way similar to what's been reported, it would be a major shift for Microsoft's strategy for updating Windows 10.

What you need to know

• Microsoft is planning to launch Windows 10X without local Win32 support.
• Windows 10X will support streaming Win32 apps from the cloud instead.
• It will compete with Chrome OS on low-cost PCs in 2021.

Microsoft has remained tight-lipped regarding its plans for Windows 10X. After announcing a pivot from dual-screen to single-screen PCs, the company hasn't yet detailed what to expect from Windows 10X when it launches next year, including how Microsoft plans to position Windows 10X alongside its bigger brother Windows 10, now that they both run on the same form factors.

I know many have been itching for new information regarding Windows 10X, as have I, and I've been keeping a close eye on Windows 10X development internally. Up until recently, not much had changed in the Windows 10X builds, but in the last couple of weeks I've had several trusted sources come forward to confirm the removal of a significant feature.

VAIL, the technology Microsoft uses to virtualize legacy Win32 programs on Windows 10X via containers, has been removed from the latest internal builds of the OS. I'm told that this is a deliberate change as the company moves to reposition Windows 10X as a platform designed to compete at the low-end, head-to-head with Chromebooks with web apps front and center.

The pivot to single-screen PCs is what drives this change. Originally planned as an OS for flagship premium PCs in the foldable space, Windows 10X will now be launching at the very other end of the spectrum, on low-cost tablets and laptops designed for the education and enterprise markets.

Microsoft's local Win32 app layer will not be present when these low-cost PCs launch with Windows 10X next year. Users will be able to run UWP apps and web apps powered by Microsoft Edge, but not legacy Win32 programs. Web apps will be the driving factor for app availability on Windows 10X, just like Chrome OS.

Keeping Windows 10X 'lite'

I'm told that the big reason why VAIL won't be part of Windows 10X on these low-cost PCs is because of app performance and battery life. These low-end devices just aren't powerful enough to virtualize legacy Win32 applications on top of Windows 10X without slowing things down, which defeats the purpose of Windows 10X being a modern, lightweight version of Windows.

However, Microsoft knows that shipping a product called "Windows" without some form of legacy app compatibility is suicide. As such, Microsoft is planning to ship Windows 10X with support for legacy app streaming using the cloud. My sources have confirmed this technology uses tech similar to the already available Windows Virtual Desktop, an enterprise service that lets companies run applications installed in the cloud on client PCs as if they were native.

Microsoft will be going after the Chrome OS market in a big way with this change. It will be targeting the people who only really use web apps in their daily workflow. I'm told Microsoft will be pushing the web versions of apps like Office, Skype, and Teams instead of their Win32 or UWP counterparts to really drive home the idea that Windows 10X is a web-first OS.

Interestingly, I'm told that with the removal of VAIL, Microsoft can now proceed with Windows 10X on ARM powered PCs in addition to Intel. Originally, VAIL was the reason why Microsoft was limiting Windows 10X to Intel-based PCs, but with ContainterOS gone, that limitation is lifted. We'll have to see if any ARM based PCs will be ready when Windows 10X launches next year.

What does this mean for dual-screen PCs?

My sources say that Microsoft still wants to launch dual-screen PCs eventually. With the ongoing pandemic and current economic conditions, Microsoft doesn't know when this will be. Launching an experimental, premium PC market in these global conditions is risky, and Microsoft doesn't want to launch Surface Neo until these conditions improve.

That said, I'm told that when Microsoft is ready to launch dual-screen PCs, it will be after 2021, and VAIL should be included. VAIL isn't launching on low-cost PCs because of performance issues, but I'm told these performance issues are less of an issue on devices with more powerful specs, like many of the dual-screen and foldable PCs that are in the works.

Microsoft is essentially planning to sandwich both ends of the Windows market with Windows 10X. You will see Windows 10X at the very low-end, and at the premium high-end with experimental form factors like foldable PCs. I'm told you likely won't see Windows 10X on traditional flagship PCs like the Dell XPS or HP Spectre line anytime soon. Outside of the low-end and experimental high-end, Microsoft wants OEMs to continue using legacy Windows 10.

In the last few months, Microsoft internally has "refocused" its efforts on legacy Windows 10. I'm told Microsoft is planning significant updates to the Windows 10 user interface and experience in the next year or so, but I'm still digging for information about that. Microsoft has already confirmed to Windows Central that it plans to bring some of Windows 10X's innovations to Windows 10, and I would bet that includes some of Windows 10X's modern interface changes.

My sources say that Microsoft is planning to reach RTM status with Windows 10X in December and begin launching the first low-cost Windows 10X PCs in the first half of 2021. Microsoft will likely use the Surface Go 3 to showcase Windows 10X, as it would look bad for Microsoft to launch a new version of Windows without its own hardware to go along with it.

Coming full circle

If you've been following along with Windows 10X's development since before the product was officially unveiled, you'll know that reports originally described Windows 10X (codenamed Santorini and Windows Lite at the time) as a Chrome OS competitor. This pivot to single-screen PCs that takes aim at Chromebooks isn't a recent idea; it's been part of the plan since the very beginning.

At some point between those initial plans and Windows 10X's unveiling in October 2019, Microsoft decided to halt its Chromebook competitor plans and focus on the premium dual-screen market instead. A few months later, once the pandemic hit, Microsoft decided to go back to that original plan, launching Windows 10X on PCs that compete with Chromebooks first instead.

Of course, these plans could change again, but assuming they don't, what are your thoughts on Microsoft's repositioning of Windows 10X without local Win32 app support? Let us know in the comments.

What you need to know

• Some Windows 10X innovations will come to Windows 10 next year.
• Windows 10 and Windows 10X will co-exist side-by-side.
• Microsoft promises reinvestment in Windows.

Microsoft spokespeople are confirming plans to bring some of Windows 10X's innovations and features over to the existing version of Windows 10 as the company moves to refocus investment in the Windows operating system. Windows 10 and Windows 10X will co-exist side-by-side on PCs next year, and Microsoft wants to provide the best of both worlds on either platform.

Microsoft isn't yet ready to talk about which Windows 10X features and innovations will make their way to Windows 10, but it's likely to include some of the underlying platform improvements as well as new modernized user interfaces. Microsoft tell us that it will begin talking more about these plans over the summer and into the fall.

Windows 10X itself isn't expected to be ready until next year. Microsoft isn't committed to a timeframe just yet, but it hopes to have Windows 10X ready for single-screen PCs in the first half of 2021. Over the course of this year, Microsoft will begin to detail which Windows 10X features are coming to Windows 10, and how it plans to differentiate between the two versions.

Renewed investment in Windows 10

Microsoft's renewed investment in Windows 10 comes at a time where more and more people are using Windows PCs. Microsoft has seen huge engagement numbers with Windows 10 over the course of the COVID-19 pandemic, and wants to deliver the best PC experience possible to all one-billion Windows 10 users.

It's fair to say that Microsoft has put Windows on the backburner in the last couple of years as it shifted focused to other efforts at the company. But Windows remains an incredibly important part of Microsoft, and now that Panos Panay is in charge of the Windows client it seems the company is interested in using Windows as a platform to push software innovation once again.

The fact that Microsoft spokespeople are using words like "reinvestment" when talking about Windows 10 is a breath of fresh air for Windows fans who have been calling for Microsoft to refocus their efforts on Windows. The last several releases of Windows 10 have been very enterprise focused with not much going on the form of features or platform innovation.

It's likely we will begin to see this reinvestment come to life with Windows 10 releases in 2021, as that's when Microsoft is expecting to begin bringing Windows 10X innovations to Windows 10. Windows Insiders have been hoping to hear more about plans to test Windows 10X on real hardware, and although Microsoft isn't announcing anything today, it is something they are thinking about internally.

In the meantime, what are your thoughts on Microsoft's reinvestment in Windows 10? Let us know in the comments.

We're back with another exciting episode of the Windows Central Podcast, and there's plenty of news this week in the world of Microsoft! New Surface products are real and available soon! Zac and Daniel cover the announcements and share their favorite features from the devices. They also chat about the future of Windows 10X, the recent and upcoming Xbox Series X events, and the Surface Duo emulator for software developers.

This episode of the Windows Central Podcast was recorded on April May 8th 2020.

Links:

• Windows 10X will now launch first on single-screen PCs | Windows Central
• Xbox 20/20 events will show the future of Xbox each month, Xbox Game Studios showcase coming in July | Windows Central
• Surface Duo Emulator
• Microsoft's new Surface Book 3 arrives May 21 with new Intel, NVIDIA hardware | Windows Central

Subscribe to the podcast

• Download directly: Audio
• Listen via Spotify
• Listen via: Windows Central app Windows 10 | Android
• Subscribe via iTunes
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• Subscribe via Pocket Casts
• Watch the live stream video archive

Hosts

• Daniel Rubino
• Zac Bowden

Make this show great by participating!

Send in your comments, questions, and feedback to:

• Email: wcpodcast@windowscentral.com
• Twitter: @WindowsCentral with hashtag #wcpodcast

Microsoft's Chief Product Officer, Panos Panay, has today published a new blog post that details his thinking behind the future of Windows, and how Microsoft can innovate with Windows 10X going forward. Panay was recently put in charge of the Windows client in addition to his hardware responsibilities, allowing him greater control over both the hardware and software that Microsoft ships.

In the blog post, Panay details how Microsoft is shifting from launching Windows 10X as an operating system exclusive to foldable PCs to something that will launch on traditional form factors such as laptops and 2-in-1's. This is a result of wanting to meet customers where they are.

Microsoft is also promising innovation with Windows to ensure it's the best OS for working, learning, and playing. Over the next two holidays, Microsoft says it's going to accelerate innovation in Windows 10. No further details as to what this entails were given.

Thinking about the new Windows + Devices team under Panos Panay

Launching Windows 10X on traditional form factors is going to give more people access to Windows 10X sooner. Those who weren't particularly sold on the idea of foldable PCs will now have the chance to use Windows 10X on a device form factor that's more familiar to them.

No details as to when we can expect Windows 10X to launch were provided. Rumors suggest it has been delayed into next year.

Updated May 4, 2020: This article has been updated to include the link to TaskbarX on GitHub, which is free.

The taskbar is potentially the user interface element that you look at the most on Windows 10. It sits calmly at the bottom of your screen, holding icons for programs, pins, the shortcut to the Start Menu, and more. Windows 10 natively supports a couple of bits of customization for the taskbar, such as using your accent color, but options are generally limited. TaskbarX brings several ways to customize your taskbar, including centering your icons.

It's a straightforward app that works well. Like CursorFX, it's a customization program you can just set up and leave running in the background. TaskbarX is also quite affordable at just $1.09. The app recently changed names, so you might recognize it from its old name, FalconX. The developer of TaskbarX reached out recently to point out that the app is also avaialble for free from GitHub. You can download the app from either location depending on your budget and how you prefer to install applications.

What you'll love about TaskbarX

Windows 10 looks alright, but sometimes you just want to tweak its look. TasbarX is a simple utility that lets you center taskbar icons and alters the look of your taskbar. It has some excellent options, such as allowing you to fine-tune where the "center" of your taskbar icons are. For example, you can offset your icons to center them between the edge of your Start Menu icon and System Tray icons. Some people prefer their programs and apps pinned to the center of their taskbar. If you're coming from macOS, you'll be used to moving your cursor towards the middle of the screen to find things, for example.

In addition to picking where your taskbar icons show up, you can also change how the taskbar itself looks. You can add blur effects, make it transparent, or add an acrylic effect. There are apps dedicated to just improving the transparency of the taskbar, so having those options along with TaskbarX's other features.

What you'll dislike about TaskbarX

There's not much to dislike about TaskbarX. It's a lightweight program that works well in the background. As long as you're okay spending money on a program to customize your desktop, it's a solid option. The only real complaint I have is that I occasionally ran into some performance hiccups that saw the icons jump back and forth between their usual spot and the center. These issues usually showed up briefly after the program started. They almost never appeared after TaskbarX has been running for a while. Issues like that could always be system-specific to my device, but they showed up, so they're worth pointing out.

Should you buy TaskbarX?

If you like customizing the look and feel of Windows 10, TaskbarX is a great app to grab. It's affordable, easy to use, and takes up very few system resources. It allows you to center your taskbar icons and customize the look of your taskbar with either blur or acrylic effects.

Pinning icons to the center or your taskbar is a nice change of pace. Microsoft also seems to like the idea since Windows 10X has its icons in the center of the taskbar. You can get a bit of that look now and on Windows 10 using TaskbarX.

What you need to know

• Microsoft Emulator now has an option for single-screen devices on Windows 10X.
• The option allows you to run apps and Windows 10X, but on one screen instead of two.
• Recent reports state that Microsoft is shifting Windows 10X towards single-screen devices, rather than dual-screen devices.

Updated April 29, 2020: This article has been updated to note that single-screen support is in the latest version of the emulator, but is currently hidden.

You can now get a glimpse of what Windows 10X will look like on single-screen devices using Microsoft Emulator. Previously, the emulator from Microsoft allowed you to test Windows 10X features on a dual-screen setup, but Gustave Monce noticed that there are now options for single-screen devices. Right now, there are options for a larger device and a smaller device, each with a single screen. Single-screen support is within the latest version of the emulator, but the feature is hidden within the application.

Microsoft originally unveiled Windows 10X alongside the Surface Neo, a dual-screen device that would run on Microsoft's new operating system. But recent reports state that Microsoft is shifting away from the dual-screen strategy, at least for now, and focusing on single-screen devices.

Windows 10X is a new version of Windows that's built from the ground up to be modern and light. It will be able to run legacy apps within containers, but the idea of the operating system is to deliver a modern and smooth experience that's less bloated than Windows 10.

Windows 10X needs to be perfect if it's launching first on laptops

When we took a look at Windows 10X build 19578, we did some behind the scenes magic to make it appear as if it ran on a single screen. It was actually a dual-screen emulator running, but it still gives you an idea of what Windows 10X looks like on a single screen.

If you'd like to try out Windows 10X for yourself, you can follow our guide on how to install it on Windows 10, though note that the ability to run single-screens is currently hidden.

When we first started hearing about Windows 10X (codenamed Santorini at the time,) it was clear that this new, modern version of Windows was going to be quite different from the Windows 10 we know and love. It was positioned internally as a lightweight OS for mobile PCs, including laptops, 2-in-1's, and indeed foldable PCs. But when Microsoft officially announced Windows 10X in October, it positioned the platform as being exclusive to foldable PCs.

Microsoft did this as to set expectations for Windows 10X. Its entire user experience is new and different, and since Windows 10X is built on Windows Core OS, it's also missing a lot of legacy features and components that some users may be accustomed to. Limiting Windows 10X to a new ecosystem of devices would've allowed Microsoft to set the stage appropriately and have users come into the platform with fresh eyes.

But now, new rumors suggest that Microsoft is shifting back to prioritizing Windows 10X for traditional form factors too. This is great news for early adopters who like the look of Windows 10X but aren't entirely sold on the idea of foldable PCs. However, this shift also opens up Windows 10X to a whole new level of customer expectation that it previously didn't need to worry about. If Windows 10X is launching on laptops, it needs to be good enough to replace Windows 10 on day one.

Another Windows RT?

If it's not, then Windows 10X will end up as another "Windows RT" attempt that failed. Microsoft has backed itself into a corner by branding Windows 10X as a Windows product, as calling it Windows means people will expect it to do Windows things. While Windows 10X can do most of those Windows things, it certainly won't be able to do all of them.

Perhaps that's the balance Microsoft needs to find. Windows RT was a failure because it didn't have the apps. Windows 10 S was a failure for the same reason. Windows 10X, in theory, shouldn't have this problem nearly as badly, as it can run most legacy desktop applications, even if downloaded from outside the Microsoft Store.

If Microsoft can ensure that legacy app compatibility on Windows 10X is excellent and that the virtualization of those programs runs well, then for most people, Windows 10X should be good enough. That said, Windows 10X isn't going to be for everyone, namely power users, gamers, and those who need access to legacy Windows components and features like the Control Panel or Windows Registry. Those things won't be available to the user on Windows 10X.

Users will also need to learn the new Windows 10X interface, which is quite different from the Windows 10 interface we have today. It doesn't have things like live tiles, or a system tray, or the ability to place icons on your desktop. It's a stripped-back, streamlined experience designed with simplicity first and foremost.

That said, it's not like Windows 10X doesn't bring improvements to the table. I'd say the new user experience is a vast improvement over what we have on Windows 10, plus Windows 10X is more secure and has faster Windows Updates thanks to the locked-down nature of the platform. There's a lot to like about Windows 10X. I'd even say it's better than Windows 10. But users don't care about that stuff; they care about whether it can do what they need it to do.

Issues with the Win32 container

I'm told that one of the reasons Microsoft has delayed Windows 10X into 2021 is so that it can further improve the Win32 container, which enables legacy app programs to run. There are issues with it right now, namely with programs that need to run in the background or share your screen. Microsoft Teams, for example, will stop alerting you of calls and notifications if you minimize the program. It also can't share your display, as the program can only see the Win32 container, and not Windows 10X.

Microsoft Teams is just one example of a program that will likely have issues on Windows 10X if Microsoft doesn't improve the Win32 container. I also heard that Microsoft was having overheating issues with Surface Neo prototypes, but that might simply be because things like drivers and firmware aren't finished yet.

Either way, if Microsoft really is prioritizing Windows 10X for laptop and 2-in-1's in addition to foldable and dual-screen PCs, then it needs to make sure Windows 10X is better than great on day one. It can't launch "unfinished" with the promise of software updates to fix things down the line. It must be ready right out of the gate; otherwise, we'll very quickly have another Windows RT on our hands.

What are your thoughts on Windows 10X? Do you think it's a good idea that Microsoft is positioning Windows 10X as a platform for laptops too? Let us know in the comments.

Over the last decade, there have been clear trends with laptops, including, at one time, pundits claiming the category's death knell. Whether it's Intel's "Ultrabook" initiative or Microsoft's 2-in-1 tablet versus laptop theory, there has been convergence on a lot of it.

For about the last year, though, a new push has begun to emerge: ultra-powerful computing. NVIDIA is partially responsible for this with its Studio effort starting back in the summer of 2019.

But there's an opposite end of that spectrum too: the super-thin and rapidly approaching dual screen (or folding display) designs.

Such a bifurcation will result in a new world of mobile computing. Thin clients that are heavily reliant on the cloud, 5G connectivity, and the OS is agile. At the other end, larger workstations for "creators" who need raw, localized power. Both are driven by the changing economy and technology.

Rise of the Studio workstation

NVIDIA's push for the Studio line is impressive. At its core, it is a marketing ploy, and, yes, money is given to OEMs to push laptop designs into this direction. The tradeoff is NVIDIA gets to push Studio as a viable alternative to professionals gravitating towards gaming laptops and away from Apple.

It was no coincidence that in the summer of 2019, dozens of laptops suddenly had RTX Studio program validation. This effort was a concerted push by the industry to give a hard nudge to where the market was already headed.

HP knows this well. In a recent press briefing the company cited some thought-provoking numbers from its own research:

• 61 percent of people use their PC to create
• Creative jobs are #1 on the list of remote work opportunities
• 91 percent of Gen Zers use their PC to collaborate
• Gen Z spends 45 percent more time using their PC than millennials

Other data backs up these observations about the rise of remote work.

A lot of this is also just driven by technology. It is now possible to have laptops with eight-cores, or powerful RTX video cards like the new "super" series from NVIDIA. And not just in some giant, heavy laptop, but slim ones that are under 4 pounds (1.8kg). See HP's recent ZBook Create.

Thin display bezels and 500-nit HDR displays also are driving this industry, leading to laptops with significantly smaller footprints. Dell learned this years ago with its InfinityEdge display technology.

No longer do people need to get a gaming laptop, but instead, they can get customized hardware that ranges from Intel Core and Xeon processors to AMD's latest Ryzen ones.

Razer, in many ways, helped kick this off. Its popular Razer Blade quickly became the darling of "pro" video editors and people who needed power but did not want a clichéd gamer aesthetic.

Super thin clients and cloud computing

Another trend is quickly emerging too for thin client PCs, and Apple drives much of this. The iPad has pushed the idea of computing forward, though with some caveats. Apple is now working to improve those limitations by thoughtfully enhancing iPadOS while adding PC-like hardware experiences. This move is mobile OS to desktop OS convergence.

Microsoft comes from the other direction with the iconic Surface Pro. It, along with the forthcoming Windows 10X, is a desktop OS to mobile OS intersection.

I have little doubt that in the next five years, Microsoft will begin to push Azure as a system to power "Windows" on consumer hardware. Google is also poised to go this route as it already has with Chromebooks. These devices will be thin-client laptops (Samsung Galaxy Book S), dual-screen PCs like (Surface Neo), or a single display tablet that folds in half (ThinkPad X1 Fold).

These devices are aimed at those who trade in information for a living — e.g., big data, emails, IT, web developers, Office and Teams collaboration, education, etc. That is quite a different group than those who need RTX or Quadro graphics to render 4K (and now 8K) video remotely or crush data in MATLAB.

While 5G is certainly overhyped in 2020, there is little doubt that in the coming years, it will open the door to new computing opportunities. Some of that is evident today with efforts like game streaming (Project xCloud).

But pushing the OS itself to the cloud for ambient and ubiquitous computing paradigms is also going to happen.

Running parts, or all, of the OS from the cloud so that your operating system follows you to your hardware with app-streaming is a potent combination, especially if the device can fold into your pocket.

There is always room in the middle

None of this is to say that laptops that do a bit of both, aka the more traditional 13 to 14-inch Ultrabook, are going to go away. Indeed, the beauty of the PC market is how robust it is in its range of possibilities. Whether it is 17-inch Ultrabook, or 13-inch gaming laptop, some company is still going to create those devices.

But the trends will continue to shift towards two categories:

• Discrete, localized computing with a lot of power
• Cloud, ambient computing in radically thin and light hardware

The current coronavirus pandemic, with its necessitated "work from home" (WFH) mandate, is going to have a massive impact on jobs. While some people will return to work, many companies are now discovering that remote work is not only possible, but it is preferable.

The idea that people in specific, but increasingly growing, industries can work wherever they want means that PC hardware must go there too. The two models of computing laid out here will be the driving trend for the foreseeable future to meet that demand.

Who knows, maybe we'll finally get good web cameras too.

We're back with another exciting episode of the Windows Central Podcast, and this week, Daniel reviews the Dell XPS 13 (9300) and explains why it's the perfect 13-inch Ultrabook. There are some leaks to support rumors a re-designed XPS 15 will follow suit.

Zac provides details on a new Windows 10 build for Slow ring insiders. In one of this week's major stories, Windows 10X and Surface Neo may be delayed beyond 2020. However, Surface Duo may still come earlier than anticipated, and the fellows speculate on what could be announced at an upcoming hardware event.

This episode of the Windows Central Podcast was recorded on April 3rd 2020.

Links:

• Dell XPS 13 (9300) review: Literally a perfect 13-inch Ultrabook | Windows Central
• Windows 10 build 19041.173 ships out to Slow ring Insiders | Windows Central
• Microsoft may have delayed Windows 10X and Surface Neo beyond 2020 | Windows Central
• Brad Anderson shows off his Surface Duo and Surface Earbuds at home | Windows Central

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• Zac Bowden

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What you need to know

• Windows 10X will not be launching in 2020.
• This means PCs like Surface Neo are delayed.
• Surface Duo still on track for 2020.

Microsoft's upcoming Windows 10X and Surface Neo products may not be shipping in time for the holiday after all, according to a new report from ZDNet's Mary-Jo Foley. This means that other Windows 10X devices from third-party manufactures also won't be launching at the end of this year like originally planned. Microsoft's dual-screen Windows 10X effort has been put on pause.

I have also heard from my own sources that Windows 10X has been delayed beyond 2020. Interestingly, Mary-Jo Foley says that Microsoft wants to prioritize bringing Windows 10X to single-screen devices first, a monumental shift in strategy for Windows 10X as a whole, which so far has been all about dual-screen support.

Windows 10X on a single-screened device is codenamed Pegasus, and is an effort Microsoft has been working on alongside bringing Windows 10X to dual-screen devices. It was a surprise when Microsoft announced Windows 10X that was going to be for dual-screen PCs as those who knew better understood that was not the case. Mary-Jo Foley's report suggests Microsoft is returning to its original idea instead of pushing for the dual-screen form factor first.

Unfortunately, we won't be seeing Windows 10X on any device form factors this year. Microsoft needs more time to finish the OS, and it's likely the ongoing pandemic hasn't helped in getting that done. The good news is Microsoft may be planning to bring some of the technological advancements found on Windows 10X over to full Windows 10, such as the ability to run legacy programs virtualized.

I'm still hearing that Surface Duo is on track for this year, and could launch as soon as this summer. But Surface Neo, and Windows 10X, looks to be coming at a later date now.

What you need to know

• A job listing from Microsoft lists some ways that Microsoft wants to improve Windows.
• The listing discusses improving Windows Indexer, improving the Windows Notification system, and several other areas.
• The listing specifically mentions supporting the "next major releases of Windows 10 and Windows 10X."

A new job listing from Microsoft lists several ways that Microsoft wants to improve Windows 10 (via Windows Latest). The listing is for a Software Engineering Manager that will manage the Application connectivity team in COSINE. According to the listing, the Software Engineering Manager that gets the job will help improve the performance of Windows Indexer, improve the reliability of the Windows Notification system, and "support the next major releases of Windows 10 and Windows 10X."

Microsoft is always looking to improve Windows, and it's always hiring people to achieve its goals, so seeing the listing isn't a surprise. It does, however, give some insight into a few of the goals from Microsoft. Here are all of the responsibilities listed by Microsoft:

• Improving the performance of the Windows Indexer enabling end-users to rapidly find their files and information.
• Improve reliability of Windows Notification system to support the needs of Xbox, Mobile devices and achieve 'dial-tone' reliability.
• Work with other companies and contributors making changes to the ICU codebase and support the Microsoft wide needs of localization.
• Support cloud-clipboard and application sharing.
• Work as needed to support the next major releases of Windows 10 and Windows 10X

The listing seems to emphasize improving existing products from Microsoft, including Windows Indexer and the Windows Notification system. Since the job listing discusses Windows 10 and Windows 10X, it seems likely that at least some of these improvements will make their way to a wide range of devices eventually.

Microsoft's Chief Product Officer, Panos Panay, has today shared a video celebrating one billion users on Windows 10 that gives us an interesting look into what Microsoft is thinking about when it comes to UI design on Windows 10. Panos Panay recently took charge of the Windows user experience, and in this video, we see a number of new user interface designs that may hint at where Microsoft is taking the Windows 10 UI in the future.

The video opens with a brief history of Windows' boot screens, dating back as far as Windows 1.01. From there, it cycles through all the different Start button designs, before showing us what Windows 10 looked like when it first launched. The video then begins transforming those Windows 10 intefaces with more modern design, simplifying things like the System Tray, and showcasing a number of new app designs including a new File Explorer, Photos app, and Calculator.

It also gives us a look at an updated Start menu with new icons and less color in the live tile interface, which makes it look cleaner and less noisy. None of the designs seen in this video are working code, and aren't currently available on Windows 10. But this does give us a good idea at where Microsoft is headed when it comes to the UI on Windows 10.

Windows 10 has often been criticized for its inconsistent UI, which is plagued with legacy UI components that date back as far as Windows 95. With Windows 10X on the horizon, Microsoft appears to be taking another look at the interface on WIndows 10 and updating it with a more modern look and feel, inspired by the Fluent Design System which itself has evolved quite a bit since it was first unveiled.

What are your thoughts on these designs? Let us know in the comments.

Inside Windows 10X is a brand new emoji panel that has several new features and enhancements, including better animations and a redesigned user interface. It also has new content options that enrich the emoji panel experience and, in my opinion, makes it more useful too. Let's dive in and take a closer look.

To kick things off, there's a new "homepage" for the emoji panel that shows your most recent used emoji and GIFs. GIFs are new to the emoji panel on Windows 10X, and allow you to insert moving images into text fields that support it. In the current build, inserting said GIFs doesn't actually work, but the final product will allow you to search for a gif and insert it with a single tap into an email or tweet.

Along the top is a search bar that will search emoji, GIFs, symbols, and other types of emoji, such as kaomoji. Above that are several icons that categorize all the different things that can be accessed through the emoji panel. In order, that's recent, emoji, GIFs, emoticons, symbols, and clipboard history.

Clicking into one of those categories will expand the icons along the top with more in-depth categories within the said category. For example, if I click on the emoji category, that will grow with smileys, food, people, items, etc. which lets me further define which emoji I'm looking for if I don't know what to search. This happens more often than you'd think, at least for me.

New to the emoji panel is clipboard history, which on Windows 10 is an entirely separate panel for some reason. On Windows 10X, it's all combined under one panel, and you can access it with the standard emoji panel shortcut (WIN+.) or with the clipboard history shortcut (WIN+V), which will jump you straight into the clipboard page inside the emoji panel.

Clipboard history works much the same here, including the ability to sync your clipboard across devices if you set that up in the Settings app. What I find most interesting, however, is that the emoji panel on Windows 10X is also what powers part of the new "WunderBar" that sits along the top of the virtual keyboard on devices like Surface Neo.

It's the exact same interface, except stretched out along the width of the keyboard. You can search, select emoji, GIFs, and even see your clipboard history if you need it. Of course, what makes the WunderBar special is more than just its access to emoji's, it can also display widgets from apps that provide it. We'll be taking a closer look at the WunderBar as a whole in a future article.

So that's a quick look at the new emoji panel on Windows 10X. It's a much-improved experience with more content options such as GIFs and clipboard history, and its updated UI with subtle animations really completes the experience. It is pre-release software, so this isn't representative of the final product, but what I see so far looks good, and I hope it comes to legacy Windows 10 at some point.

Check out our other Windows 10X deep dives

Want to see what else is new and improved with Windows 10X? Make sure you check out our other feature deep divces:

• A closer look at Microsoft's new Start menu and taskbar on Windows 10X
• A closer look at Microsoft's new Action Center on Windows 10X
• This is Microsoft's new modern File Explorer for Windows 10X

We're back with another exciting episode of the Windows Central Podcast, and this week, Microsoft Build 2020 has been canceled and reborn as a digital event due to coronavirus, but Microsoft still has plenty of announcements planned for the year. An online Surface event could possibly happen in April.

Daniel and Zac chat about new features found in the latest build of Windows 10X and emphasize that Windows 10X is a completely separate product from traditional Windows 10. Daniel reviews the Samsung Galaxy Book S — Awesome battery. Meh keyboard. But there's a lot more to say about it than that.

This episode of the Windows Central Podcast was recorded on March 13th 2020.

Links:

• Microsoft Build 2020 gets canceled, becomes a digital event in lieu of coronavirus | Windows Central
• Hands-on with Windows 10X build 19578 showcasing new changes and enhancements | Windows Central
• Samsung Galaxy Book S review: Excellent battery, slim design, but just OK keyboard | Windows Central

Subscribe to the podcast

• Download directly: Audio
• Listen via Spotify
• Listen via: Windows Central app Windows 10 | Android
• Subscribe via iTunes
• Subscribe via RSS
• Subscribe via Google Play Music
• Subscribe via Pocket Casts

Hosts

• Daniel Rubino
• Zac Bowden

Make this show great by participating!

Send in your comments, questions, and feedback to:

• Email: wcpodcast@windowscentral.com
• Twitter: @WindowsCentral with hashtag #wcpodcast

What you need to know

• Microsoft just launched a new WinUI website.
• The website breaks down the advantages of WinUI, including better performance and future-proofing applications.
• An alpha version of WinUI 3.0 became available late last year.

Microsoft launched a new WinUI website recently. The website explains the benefits of developing apps with WinUI, including native performance and future-proofing applications. Microsoft recently expanded the reach of WinUI by releasing WinUI 3.0 in alpha form. WinUI 3.0 gives developers access to native WinUI controls in Win32 apps. Rafeal Rivera first spotted the new WinUI website.

The new website states that "WinUI makes it easy to build modern, seamless UIs that feel natural to use on every Windows device." Microsoft's vision is to have all apps on Windows utilize WinUI. The site also states that WinUI "Embodies Fluent Design to enable intuitive, accessible, and powerful experiences and the latest user interface patterns."

A main benefit of WinUI is that it's powered by an optimized C++ core. Because of this, apps using WinUI have better performance and are easier on the battery life of devices.

Two sections of the site highlight that building apps with WinUI will future-proof them for both future versions of Windows 10 and Windows 10X. The site reads, "WinUI offers a state-of-the-art UI framework for all Windows apps across both Win32 and UWP."

Towards the bottom of the site, it points out that you can use "partner platforms," such as Uno Platform, to write apps in a variety of languages. These apps will "run as-good-as-native on Windows, other operating systems, and the web," according to the site.

The information on the new WinUI website is not new, but it brings it all together into one convenient place.

Microsoft has released a second Windows 10X preview build for the Microsoft Emulator, which brings with it a number of new changes and enhancements to the OS. As Windows 10X is still in development, we're expecting more features and changes to show up before it's signed off as RTM, which we're hearing will take place in June or July this year.

This week's build is 19578, and in it is a number of minor enhancements such as a complete dark theme for the Control Center, along with a new File Explorer beta app and a (semi) working out of box experience. We go hands-on with all the new changes in our video, which you can watch via the embed above.

It's been about a month since the last Windows 10X preview build, so hopefully we'll be getting another Windows 10X preview build next month with more features and changes. I'm told to expect improvements to Search, and more perzonalization options, to appear in the builds before RTM is complete.

Have you tried Windows 10X yet? What are you liking, or not liking, most about it? Let us know in the comments.

Microsoft's first dual-screen PC is launching later this year under the name Surface Neo, and it'll also be Microsoft's first device to ship with Windows 10X. It's a new form factor, which means there's a lot of exciting potential for Microsoft and customers to take advantage of this new device. We still don't know a lot about Surface Neo, so here are a few things we're hoping to see part of the product at launch.

A new dock

Surface Neo is the first Surface PC in a while that doesn't include the magnetic Surface Connect port for charging and other peripherals. It has a single USB-C port, which is a capable replacement. Still, there's no official Surface Dock from Microsoft that works natively with a USB-C port, and that might be a problem for anyone looking to dock Surface Neo up to an external display with multiple peripherals plugged in at the same time.

The current Surface Dock is super old, being released back in 2015 alongside the Surface Pro 4 and Surface Book. So it's fair to say that the Surface Dock is overdue a refresh, and one that has USB-C support would be an excellent update for newer Surface owners as all Surface PCs now include USB-C in some capacity.

Haptics

Haptics on a tablet seems like an unnecessary addition, but when you consider the fact that Surface Neo is actually a PC with a virtual keyboard and trackpad, haptics becomes much more important. If Microsoft expects anyone to take Surface Neo seriously as a PC, it needs to make the virtual keyboard and trackpad the best it can be.

One way to enhance this experience is with good haptics. Apple already understands this and has been putting excellent haptics into the iPhone for a while. MacBook also has something called a force trackpad, which doesn't physically move yet provides a satisfying click regardless. If Microsoft can build that kind of technology into the Surface Neo, that would go a long way to enhancing the typing and touchpad experience.

More colors

So far, Microsoft has only showcased the Surface Neo in white. It's a glass device, meaning it can be made available in different colors if Microsoft wanted. I'd love to see a black version, along with a red and blue version for those who like a little more vibrancy.

These colors could easily extend to the Surface Neo's accessories too. The magnetic keyboard and slim pen could also be made available in similar colors to match the Surface Neo, and I think the different combinations of colors would go a long way to helping customers make Surface Neo their own.

LTE capabilities

This one is a given, but I'd love to see LTE capabilities built right into Surface Neo. Neo is a mobile productivity PC, and mobile makes it nimble enough to carry in a bag. It's the perfect form factor for an always-connected modem built right in, whether that be with a physical NanoSIM or via eSIM. And in many ways, it could be a huge mistake to avoid having LTE built into Surface Neo.

What are your thoughts?

That's what we're hoping to see in Surface Neo when it launches later this year. What are you most looking forward to? Let us know in the comments.

An interesting design choice that Microsoft is making with Windows 10X is one where all apps run in full-screen, just like Windows 8. If you've tried the public build released to developers, you'll know that you cannot make an app run in a normal window. The button to restore a window down has been outright removed from the title bar. It's just the close and minimize buttons on Windows 10X.

Microsoft's thinking behind this decision makes some sense, as many Windows 10X devices will have small screens. Surface Neo, for example, has two 9-inch displays. A 9-inch screen is arguably too small to make any real use of a windowed app experience; you're going to want to use them in full screen anyway at this screen size.

But on devices larger than 9-inches, such as the 13-inch Lenovo Foldable that will also run Windows 10X, windowed apps makes more sense. Perhaps not when in use as a tablet, but if you're utilizing that full 13-inch display with a keyboard and mouse, being able to activate a windowed mode would make a lot of sense.

The public build of Windows 10X doesn't appear to have a way to run apps in cascading windows, which has caused concern for quite a few people. Many are worried that Microsoft is going down the Windows 8 route of making apps run full screen only, but I don't think that's entirely the case here.

Full-screen for small devices

I do think that Microsoft will force apps to run full screen on devices with small screens, but I hear that devices with screens larger than 13-inches will be able to manipulate apps in cascading windows, just like regular Windows 10. It's not enabled in the public build Microsoft has released to developers yet, but there are internal builds where this functionality does work.

Microsoft is building this support because Windows 10X is an operating system for more than just dual-screen PCs. It can run on any kind of PC, including traditional laptops and new foldable PCs with large displays. We come back to the foldable Lenovo ThinkPad, being a 13-inch foldable with Windows 10X. 13-inches is large enough to make real use of a windowed app environment.

But even then, devices that are smaller than 13-inches with Windows 10X can be docked to an external display, just like a regular PC. Docking a Surface Neo to a 24-inch display would warrant being able to run apps in cascading windows, so it's reasonable to assume that windowed app support will be there in some capacity even on Surface Neo. It just won't available to the user directly on the device if the screen is small enough.

So in some ways, yes, Microsoft is adopting the Windows 8 method of running apps in full screen. But equally, it's only applying this experience on devices where it makes sense. If your screen is large enough, users should have the option to run apps in windows instead, especially if you have a keyboard and mouse connected.

There's no conceivable reason to limit the Windows 10X experience to full-screen apps on displays that have enough real estate to accommodate them. Not being able to freely resize and move windows around a desktop on a large display is the exact opposite of productive, so I'd be shocked if this functionality doesn't end up shipping. But yes, on Surface Neo and other "small" Windows 10X PCs, apps will run full screen.