The new Windows 10X aims for simplicity

Microsoft’s Windows 10X leak for single-screen PCs reveals a streamlined operating system with an emphasis on simplicity.

Windows Central and The Verge got preliminary copies of the system, originally designed for foldable and dual-screen devices, then reused for single-screen PCs. The introduction of the dual-screen Surface Neo has been delayed since a prototype was unveiled in 2019 and Microsoft then positioned its new operating system for use on low-cost devices that will compete with Google’s Chromebook.

Windows 10X offers a new action center and a new Start menu. No more long displays of system display icons. The old system tray has been removed from the taskbar and instead the action center displays the time and a list of commonly used functions such as volume, bluetooth, device selection audio and Wi-Fi.

Devices using Windows 10X will automatically sync with Microsoft’s OneDrive accounts, so users will have copies of their documents, music, and photos secured in the cloud. Basically all files will be synced except downloaded files. Windows 10X will require users to create a OneDrive account if they don’t already have one. Connections to local accounts will not be accepted.

The Start menu will no longer feature live tiles, which allowed personalized notifications of new emails, app updates, and calendar appointments, but will instead display a simple list of apps and documents. recently viewed. Notification settings have been moved to the action center. And File Explorer, also streamlined, will look like a sparse interface familiar to OneDrive users.

The search function, now integrated into the star menu, appears to be faster than previous versions, according to early testers. The results display local files as well as data collected from the Bing search engine.

Applications such as Registry Editor, Group Policy Editor, Control Panel, Windows Run, and Task Manager have been removed.

Legacy desktop apps will not work on Windows 10X. All apps must be purchased through the Microsoft Store, at least for now. Support for desktop apps may be available later this year.

A new practical gesture has been introduced. The three-finger swipe, along with the capture assist feature, allows users to quickly connect two apps side by side. There is no need to position and resize applications, it is done automatically and instantly.

But app screens in Windows 10X cannot be resized otherwise. Assuming that the operating system will be used on smaller devices that won’t clearly display small texts on shrunken portions of the screen surface, Microsoft is limiting apps to full screen size only.

Windows 10X cannot be purchased separately. It will be pre-installed on new PCs specially designed for the new operating system. These computers are expected to be inexpensive models intended for educational or professional use.

The first models equipped with Windows 10X are expected from Microsoft partners Dell and Lenovo, possibly as early as this spring.

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