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It looks like Microsoft now has the real answer to the Chrome OS operating system after years of waiting as the new semi-final version of Windows 10X has been leaked, offering a first look at the changes the company has made to the system. future operating to equip it for laptops.
Windows 10X started out as a version of Windows 10 designed for dual-screen devices.
It was supposed to be launched with Microsoft Surface Neo, a tablet-like device with two separate 9-inch displays that could be opened to become a full 13-inch display.
And Microsoft revealed last year that it is redesigning Windows 10X for single-screen devices, such as laptops.
While the company has spent years singling out Windows 10x as intended for dual-screen and foldable devices, it now looks more like a Chrome operating system than ever.
The latest version that was leaked represents the semi-final form of the system that is expected to arrive via devices similar to Chromebooks later this year.
Not everyone can upgrade to Windows 10X, nor an update posted for current devices, it ships via new devices only, and it’s a lightweight version of Windows designed for those who tend to buy Chromebooks.
Windows 10X looked a bit like Chrome OS on dual-screen devices, but it’s now clear that it’s designed more for single-screen laptops.
And Microsoft has simplified almost every area of Windows in Windows 10X to the point that it appears to be the web portal rather than the gateway to Windows apps.
The Start button is now centered on the taskbar with the Start menu acting as a launcher, and it doesn’t contain Live Tiles in Windows 10, instead there is a list of recent apps and documents.
You can also search for apps, documents, or even web content through Microsoft’s Bing search engine.
Comparisons to Chrome OS are immediately apparent here with the launcher and the emphasis on web apps.
You can also install PWA progressive web apps from the built-in Chromium Edge browser and pin them to the taskbar.
Also, this taskbar in Windows 10X is also an area of the operating system that has been greatly simplified.
And you might be used to seeing a lot of app icons in the system tray, but it’s not there in Windows 10x.
Instead, there’s a simple action center that shows the time and pops up to reveal quick settings, like: turn off the device, activate a VPN, plug in screens, or manage volume.
This also includes access to notifications and an updated tool to control media playback.
You can drag and drop apps to run them side by side, but there is no way to allow apps to resize them freely, and hence the middle button that you used to see in the top right corner of apps has been removed – switching between full screen and windowed mode.
And Windows 10X laptops support gesture trackpad for multitasking apps.
Microsoft is also working on a modern version of Windows 10X File Explorer designed to access OneDrive cloud files, but you can also manage downloaded files or files on a USB storage device.
And there is no way to access local files in this new file explorer because Windows 10X is primarily designed for cloud storage.
And it looks like Microsoft doesn’t offer desktop app support in Windows 10X, at least initially.
Microsoft created container technology to run traditional desktop apps in a virtual machine, and this technology was originally designed to ensure that older apps work well with dual-screen devices and not run out of life. battery life or interfere with the way apps are displayed on multiple screens.
Microsoft is still developing this container technology, and it only appears in developer mode in this version of Windows 10X.
This could mean that end users won’t be able to install regular desktop apps through Windows 10X, and in either case, it’s clear Microsoft is focusing on a plethora of apps from the Microsoft Store in addition to web apps.
Microsoft has yet to officially confirm a ship date for the Windows 10X operating system, or laptop makers that may launch devices with this version of the operating system.
Clearly this is a straightforward attempt to challenge Chromebook devices, after Microsoft has tried for years to put Windows 10S as an alternative to Chrome OS, but the project failed and turned to the mode S.
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