Windows 10X may not support Win32 programs through virtualization
Microsoft's upcoming new edition of Windows 10, called Windows 10X, may not support Win32 programs through virtualization; only web applications or UWP applications may be supported locally.
The company revealed plans to launch Windows 10X as a dual-screen operating system but changed these plans later on by focusing on single-screen devices.
Microsoft's initial plan was to support Win32 programs through virtualization, and focus on supporting web applications, e.g. PWAs, and the company's own Universal Windows Platform through the Microsoft Store.
Windows Central published a new article today suggesting that Microsoft removed support for Win32 virtualization from the Windows 10X operating system. According to the information, this was done because of fears that application performance and battery life would be impacted too much by running virtualization processes on low-end devices.
Microsoft wants to establish Windows 10X as a direct competitor to Google Chromebooks, and as such, needs to compete when it comes to price but also performance and battery life.
Launching Windows 10X devices without Win32 compatibility on the other hand would likely result in an outcome similar to that of WinRT, another attempt by Microsoft to drop Win32 support on Windows devices. To make sure that Windows 10X's fate is different, Microsoft may switch to streaming instead for Win32 support and the company could use the technology that Windows Virtual Desktop uses for that according to Windows Central.
One positive side-effect of dropping support for Win32 application virtualization is that Windows 10X on ARM powered devices is again a possibility. The virtualization technology blocked the operating system on ARM-powered devices.
Sources told Windows Central that dual-screen support is not dead yet, and that dual-screen devices would include a version of Windows 10X that would include virtualization support for Win32 applications. These dual-screen devices won't be low-end devices and capable of handling virtualization better.
Windows 10X could reach RTM status in December and first devices could be out as early as the first half of 2021. Windows Central speculates that the upcoming Surface Go 3 device could be used by Microsoft to demonstrate the Windows 10X operating system.
Mary-Jo Foley published a similar story today in which she claims that Microsoft plans to roll out in Spring 2021 and dual-screen devices a year later. She states that the initial Win32-application-free version of Windows 10X are designed primarily for businesses and education.
In her opinion, it is the performance of Win32 applications running in virtualization mode that caused Microsoft to drop Win32 container support, and not the power or resource overhead.
Whatever the reason, it is clear that it was dramatic enough to force Microsoft to drop container support for Win32 applications on these devices.
All of this needs to be filed under rumor at the time of writing but it is clear that Microsoft wants to establish a low-cost alternative to Google Chromebooks.
Closing Words
I was not really interested in Windows RT and the same may will be true for Windows 10X if support for Win32 is either not available or only available through streaming. Streaming may sound like a good compromise but the main issue here is that you need to be online to use it. It is also not clear if you can install any Win32 applications and use it, or if the selection is restricted.
As far as the Surface Go 3 is concerned, I would hate such a great design be switched over to running Windows 10X. The device is excellent for what it does, especially since you can upgrade the crippled Windows 10 S version to a full version of Windows 10.
Now You: would you buy a Windows 10X powered device?
A desktop PC and a cheap smartphone is all I need. Anything in between that is rather superfluous IMO.
Yet I do have a cheap $180 Windows 10 HP laptop, but I rarely use it, but it has come in handy whenever there are blackouts.
I will likely never buy a Windows 10X device, regardless to how affordable it is. Yet I likewise have no need for a Chromebook.
That said, the next device I might buy is the MS Surface Duo, but I’ll likely just buy another cheap Android smartphone, or an even cheaper dumb phone.
(…but I’ll likely just buy another cheap Android smartphone, or an even cheaper dumb phone.) I like dumb phones. My old Samsung Convoy phone still works for me.
Dead before it lived.
Microsoft has repeatedly tried. First Windows RT, then S Mode, then Always Connected PCs. Now Windows 10X. Win32 is Windows. Everything else on top is superfluous – .NET, WPF, UWP/WinUI. Without Win32, there can be no successful Windows, there can be no great Windows. The sooner they understand this the better they can steer their platform in the right direction
All the idiot CEOs after Bill Gates have been unable to properly read the market; hence, Microsoft repeated debacles.
agree, though id say that they could know the market but cant resist the urge to get even more control and turn the user into sucking consumers. be it via forced cloudshit, win ‘app’ store etc..
if they take some weeks to think, its basically all down to psychology. users like to be in control of their system, and have an OS that stays in its scope, can be called OS and not a big blob of spyware.
Always Connected PCs… Haven’t heard MS trumpeting their Win10 on ARM project for quite some time. Is it really dead?
Why do you need a new OS for dual screen devices? Why not use the same OS, just with different UI and a touch screen driver added on top.
Why would anyone want this and limit themselves? We are going backwards. There’s barely any useful apps in the MS store that is not win32. You could get a powerful laptop under $800 and have the freedom to run any application in the last 21 years.The whole endgame benefits Microsoft only. Subscriptions for using Windows. I’m not stupid to fall for this.
W10X: Dead on arrival.
M$ simply does not understand that calling it a different name (10X, RT, etc.) is not going to change the fact that there’s no demand for these fake Windows.
The “10X” means 10x more bugs?
What about a translation layer, like Wine and Rosetta?
Won’t evem mention Windows w/o win32 apps. Even dual screen. I prefer a 24″ 1440p with nicer pixel density and 144Hz, VA for the best contrast an HDR. Paramount 1,07B colours. Dreamy monitor. Same with GPUs. One but good. I get some [people need them twice but thankfullly Im not one of those.
“web applications, e.g. PWAs, and the company’s own Universal Windows Platform through the Microsoft Store”
One main reason to ditch Win10 completely. All those neverending attempts to gain even more control, be it cloud shit or artificial store dependencies .. linux stuff looks brighter every day.
MS is going to take on Google’s Chromebooks? Game’s over before it starts.
Add X to Jeff’s list.
not supporting Win32 apps:
Probably a good idea — a surprising chunk of the population doesn’t care about playing 20 year old video games…
Still calling it “Windows”
probably a bad idea — we saw what a roaring success Windows RT was in the market!
M$ wants long term to make windows a saas everywhere.
Monthly subscription if you want to run windows software.
But don’t worry, the os will be free and the subscription to run windows software will come with a monthly discount if you pay for game pass lol.
Goodbye windows then. We’ll just keep emulating win32 apps and games on linux.
Hm, looks like a Windows 10 mobile device… I was thinking MS stopped their efforts in this area. They have to price their W10X netbooks really aggressive and even then it is not going to work because you cannot install the same huge amount of apps available on the Android app store.
The marketplace will be a lot better for everyone when Microsoft realizes that they cannot innovate (not that they shouldn’t but that they’re incapable). They cannot innovate for the simple reason that they cannot even imitate those that can innovate. Time and time again they prove everything they touch turns to crap – a reverse “Midas Touch” if you will. (Dare I say, the “Ex-Lax Touch”, because everything they touch turns to $#!+).
Clearly Microsoft is not offering anything new or worthwhile to it’s customers, just more stuff that makes computing more confusing and less reliable. So why is the marketplace still putting up with that BS? (Probably for the same reason a lot of people don’t Social Distance, don’t wear masks, or still think Trump is a competent world-leader.