First screenshot and video of Windows 10X for single-screen devices leaked
A first screenshot of Microsoft's upcoming Windows 10X edition of the company's Windows 10 operating system has been posted today on Twitter. The screenshot shows the operating system's taskbar and Start on a single-screen device.
Microsoft designed Windows 10X specifically for multi-display devices and foldable devices but the new edition of Windows 10 will also run on single-screen devices.
Zac Bowden published the screenshot on his Twitter account. A hands-on video with Windows 10 for single-screen PCs has been published to the Windows Central account as well.
The screenshot provides a glimpse of the new operating system, and confirms changes to Start and the taskbar.
The video, embedded above, offers more details on Windows 10X running on single-screen devices. It showcases the functionality of the new Start menu and Search, among other things.
The centered Start menu displays a search field at the top, the list of apps and websites installed on the device, and a list of recently accessed files and apps. A click on "show all" displays all installed apps and linked websites; a right-click on an icon displays options to pin it to the taskbar for fast access.
Live tiles are not supported and there is no option to create app folders either.
The taskbar has been redesigned as well; icons are now centered on it and the system tray area displays just the clock and date by default. A new widget opens up when users activate it that display quick settings and notifications, e.g. options to change the volume. All system panels that were displayed directly or behind the arrow-icon in other versions of Windows 10, are now displayed in the new area. Among the options is a new media control option to control the playback of media directly from the area.
Several system applications have changed as well in Windows 10X. The files application uses a basic interface on Windows 10X that resembles the default file explorers of mobile operating systems. Syncing with OneDrive is enabled by default, and a Microsoft Account is required to sign-in to the operating system.
Files, except for those in downloads, seem to be synced automatically with OneDrive if Windows 10X is used.
Another change is that all applications run in fullscreen mode on Windows 10X, and that has been a deliberate choice by Microsoft as the target devices for the first wave of Windows 10X products will be low-cost devices only. It is still possible to run two apps side-by-side, but there is no option to display multiple windows in any other form on the screen.
It is likely that this limitation is going to be removed for other device classes once the operating system becomes available for those.
Closing Words
Windows 10X is a new version of Windows that looks and feels more like a mobile operating system. It is designed for low-cost devices, and veteran users may get a certain Windows RT vibe from the system, especially since Win32 programs will not be supported when the operating system launches. Microsoft plans to introduce options to run Win32 programs in a future version though.
Whether Windows 10X will be more successful than Windows RT remains to be seen, for now, it seems very limited when compared to other Windows 10 editions.
Now You: what is your take on Windows 10X?
There they go, chasing rainbows again.
So basically MS decided to Copy Chrome OS because Chromebooks are getting much popular in school with kids…lol
I thought this might be the next update to Windows 10, I was worry by this notion in particular “Win32 programs will not be supported when the operating system launches”, that is until i realized this version is separate from the mainline version of Windows 10, as I mainly use both a single monitor desktop and laptop, this version of Windows in completely irrelevant to me
In an era of multi-terabyte hard drives and fast consumer processors, I am still not sure exactly why I should want to sign into my computer using an online profile, sync everything, and live in the cloud. Other than allowing for-profit businesses to spy on literally everything that I do, (from every keystroke to every webpage visit), and charge me a monthly subscription fee for the privilege of being subjected to the above, of course.
@Jake, sums everything up nicely. I only use windows for gaming, some office at this point. m$ is clamping down on everything in their os these days, services, registry, many things cannot be altered without a lot of effort and each new feature update changes things around again. In the past windows strived to add more granular control, now its all being stripped out. The golden era of windows is over, time to move on.
Because is extremely convenient to have your files synchronized and backed up automatically for you. If you lose your device you won’t lose your pictures as well, for example. This has an associated running cost that most people don’t perceive because companies mine their data instead. There are alternatives that are more privacy-respecting but that you will have to pay with your own money. Or you can self-host your own private “cloud”. Or you can encrypt your files before uploading them rendering data-mining useless.
You have options, and options are good.
“Because is extremely convenient to have your files synchronized and backed up automatically for you.”
Convenient for who? Maybe those mass surveillance american corporations?
“If you lose your device you won’t lose your pictures as well, for example.”
If you count on the fact that you have a brain and you can use it whenever you want it’s hard to lose something, even if it happens technology gave us small phisical backups.
“This has an associated running cost that most people don’t perceive because companies mine their data instead.”
What a nice perspective, let “unknown” entities scan our personal lives instead of using a small backup device.
“There are alternatives that are more privacy-respecting but that you will have to pay with your own money.”
Privacy and security value is less than the fifty dollars needed for a backup device?
“Or you can self-host your own private “cloudâ€. Or you can encrypt your files before uploading them rendering data-mining useless.”
Cloud is not a safe place and will never be, convenient, not safe. For common people encryption is safe as much as governments demand (impose). https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/international-statement-end-end-encryption-and-public-safety (using always the same lies, boring burocrats)
New generations must be aware of the risks involved in leaving personal data in big tech corporations hands.
I have facts, they are even better than opinions.
@SpywareFan,
Data backups on the cloud are extremely convenient for end users and people will continue to take advantage of this technology whether we like it or not. Just because that technology is being misused is not a good enough reason to stop using it altogether. Instead we should push for better privacy policies and enforcing security practices, and until then propose alternative ways to secure our files online. Since not everyone is proficient enough to encrypt their files on their own or self-host their own cloud, you can turn to managed services such as Tresorit, Cryptee, ProtonDrive (beta), StandardNotes, etc. which do cost money.
This is not to say that offline backups are useless or shouldn’t be used. I’m just not denying the reality that most people don’t care to take the time and effort to update their offline backups when this can be done automatically for them (also accessible from anywhere). Your claim that people should just get a physical backup is simply not realistic because that is not a viable alternative to cloud storage, and thus your “facts” are downgraded to a mere opinion.
Your other claim that people shouldn’t lose things is just more proof that you are completely out of touch with reality.
As for encryption regulations, that is something to watch out for but still not a reality in many countries.
> “New generations must be aware of the risks involved in leaving personal data in big tech corporations hands.”
I agree with this.
What makes you think they don’t know SpywareFan. I don’t understand why you think they don’t know. They know and they don’t care, they don’t have the time or willingness to make their own cloud, staring encrypting and decrypting files. They prefer to pay less and they prefer convenience. It is what it is, that’s the REAL LIFE fact, maybe some geeks do this stuff when they are in school and university and have the time, but for most their phones and computers are just gadgets for them to access the big corporations stuff. They like the shiny big corporations stuff.
Awful! I bet it was designed by the same barista idiots who made Windows 10 ugly interface on a Macbook and never actually used Windows before.
Windows ten times?
Windows 10 10?
Windows IOX?
How about Chredge OS? It’s an edgebook with a more pleasant appearing interface.
Many schools use chromebooks, ours does, our kids hate their lousy, tiny displays, ugly interface and laggy performance. Google reinvented the “world wide wait.”
I messed with their personal laptops and got them to connect to all their school stuff. Now they have clearer video calls, faster response with school apps and vastly better displays.
I think they’d like this as long as it works well.
Windows Phone fiasco 2.0. Without Win32 apps Windows has no value. Add to that the incredibly lame Windows Store “experience” and no one is going to want this except people in third world countries. Even they might get Chromebooks or open source first.
The problem Microsoft has is that they’re in denial of how bad their services really are. They’re in a world of government and enterprise contracts, and preloads, that world doesn’t reflect consumer opinion.
This is Microsoft’s wet dream. A junk web based OS with monthly subscriptions. It looks like a bad version of tablet mode, Chrome OS and Ubuntu unity mixed together. Lots of functionality is gone. I will keep ignoring it like I did with RT and Windows 10 S. I’m happy as long they don’t force this impaired OS on to normal Windows 10 users. The only users happy about this OS are Windows phone fanboys.
Many Linux distributions have been made that copy Window’s desktop environment, to ease the transition for users too familiar with the Windows desktop. However I can’t help but notice a remarkable resemblance in this screenshot with some desktop environments such as GNOME.
I think this is great, the fact that Microsoft is increasingly turning it’s eye to Linux makes me think that they acknowledge the progress they have made. I very much doubt this will ever be publicly recognized by anyone (assuming my thinking is correct, that is), but hopefully this will make more people notice GNU/Linux’s ability to provide a credible, capable and viable alternative for the home computing market.
From what I have seen of Windows 10X. It looks to be a Chrome OS sort of operating system meant to be run in low costs educational devices and only installing apps from the Microsoft Store. Most likely having very little local storage and using cloud storage. Microsoft has tried a few of these types of Windows from Windows RT to Windows S mode and then Windows S. Personally, I am not a fan of Chrome OS and wouldn’t be a fan of Windows X either at least from what has been described of the OS.
“Files, except for those in downloads, seem to be synced automatically with OneDrive if Windows 10X is used.”
I don’t get it. Does Microsoft automatically upload all our personal files to their servers by default (and unencrypted with that) ? Threats of legal fines did not work. Would they understand violence better ?
> Threats of legal fines did not work
What exactly did not work? And can you give a concrete example with just known facts?
I reckon you simply don’t like to be tricked by slick marketing tactics, and have perhaps fallen victim to such in the past?
Regardless I can get that you “don’t get it”, as confused psychopaths with PTSD often consider violence as a solution to their delusional problems.
But I’m sure you were just joking there.. Ha!
Is it me or it looks like Linux?
Thats true. Typical deepin linux like look.
IDK, what does Linux look like? I never knew Linux had a specific look.
This is supposed to be Microsoft’s answer to Chromebooks. However, Chromebooks let people install Android apps that run great. On our Chromebook we installed Microsoft Solitaire Games that run exactly like the ones on Windows 10, Opera, Outlook, Word, and more. These were all free Android apps. I suspect Microsoft will only allow their Store apps to be installed on 10x. If so, this will not be a seriious Chromebook replacement, just another failed attempt to tame the crusty bloated 35 year old Windows OS by using smoke and mirrors and a haircut.
Or not.
I have a feeling that this could be the future of Windows.
First they strip everything legacy from it and only leave the modern stuff.
And then they slowly start adding support for legacy stuff through virtualization or whatever.
If they can get all win32 programs to run flawlessly with a single click, including even old games from like 1999, then this can actually be really awesome.
And finally if they can make the UI .. NOT UGLY….
The future of Windows is very bleak then.
Absolute garbage, oversimplified UI made for idiots. No thank you, I’ll keep using LTSC.
Nobody asked, grandpa…
Hmm, why the hype and insult? Are you a know-it-all snob who likes promoting narrow minded dogma? Or are you smart enough to understand that you likely don’t know much?