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Windows 10X was originally intended to debut on dual-screen devices, like the Surface Neo, before coming to laptops later. Last May, Microsoft announced a “pivot” to “focus on single-screen Windows 10X devices” amid the work-from-home wave. A “near final version” of Windows 10X has now leaked and reveals some key similarities to Chrome OS.
The Verge’s Tom Warren tonight shared a pair of videos on Twitter showing the Windows 10X version. By a ZDNet Report last July, this operating system is supposed to be launched in the spring and targeted “primarily for business (especially frontline workers) and education”. Considering the timing, what is shown today is probably the initial delivered version.
We first see that the Windows 10X home screen consists of a taskbar and a wallpaper. It’s not clear whether files, folders, and apps can be pinned to a desktop, but Chrome OS doesn’t have such a feature either. This approach is simpler to help keep synchronization between devices and not to put files in multiple locations. Meanwhile, apps opened or pinned to the taskbar are centered, like on Chromebooks, rather than being left-to-right on Windows 10.
The first item below opens a full screen launcher that begins with a “Search the web or your devices” field. For comparison, the one in Chrome OS prompts users to “Find your device, apps, settings, the web…”
This is followed by a grid that shows both “apps and websites”. The former is presumably made up of apps from the Universal Windows Platform, as 10X is said (via Windows Central) to not natively support legacy Win32 software, while Progressive Web Apps make up the latter category. From this launcher, Microsoft, like Google with Android applications, does not distinguish the nature of the applications.
Only 15 apps are displayed at a time, with a “Show All” button in the upper right corner. A “Recent” section below this files surface and is more dedicated than the carousel that Chrome OS should highlight one or two documents, tabs, and apps.
During this time, tap the time in the lower right corner to open “Quick settings”. Arranged in a grid, users can make changes without leaving this panel, while there is a slider to adjust the volume. Like Chrome OS, it can be collapsed to show only key preferences, while your profile picture also appears here.
Another key similarity to the Chromebook experience is the way “Notifications” are displayed in cards just above quick settings with “Clear All” at the top right.
Visual similarities aside, the most important part of Windows 10X might be the setup process. As of this release, Warren notes how a Microsoft account and Internet access are required for registration. It’s not too different from Chrome OS requiring a Google account – although “Browse as guest” is still available – to sync bookmarks, apps, files, and settings across all devices.
Coupled with addiction to online apps, this path Microsoft is taking to Windows further proves that Google had the right idea with Chrome OS. Google’s fundamental design in 2009 – with the first consumer devices coming two years later – was that a cloud-centric operating system would be the future.
The last decade has shown that online document editing, cloud photo / video storage, game streaming, and web apps are enough to meet the needs of most people. As part of this new reality, apps and services aren’t locked down to a single platform, but rather online for any operating system with a browser. This allows real computer hardware to be commoditized and very affordable.
Microsoft is now following the same path to offer these cheaper devices that better compete with Chromebooks. While “Windows 10” is still in “Windows 10X”, it is clear that the cloud is the primary driver of experience. Meanwhile, the visual similarities to Chrome OS – not Windows – more or less prove that people are familiar and comfortable with the web model, so much so that past interface paradigms may be removed for something. much simpler.
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