Microsoft is reportedly working on a new web-focused variant of Windows 12, according to multiple sources close to the company. The new variant is said to be a “true” answer to Chrome OS, and it will be tailored for specific markets, such as the educational sector.

The web-focused Windows 12 will not replace the traditional Win32 desktop experience, but it will offer a more modern, modular, and lightweight version of Windows for low-end educational devices.

Microsoft has already confirmed that in an internal memo that it is forming a new team, “Windows and Web Experience”, to develop the next generations of Windows and web products. Job listings for the team also confirm that Microsoft is planning to “define and deliver the next generation of Windows experiences and applications that span across Client and Cloud”.

Moreover, according to Windows Latest, the web-focused variant of Windows 12 is expected to rely heavily on Microsoft Edge and AI. For example, Microsoft is reportedly exploring ways to use AI to make Microsoft Edge more intelligent and to understand web content and user behaviors. This integration is expected to significantly influence the development of Windows 12.

Microsoft has been working on modernizing Windows and decoupling its component layers in recent years, in an effort to create a more lightweight version of the operating system. One example of this work is Windows 10X, which was intended to be a competitor to Chrome OS. However, Windows 10X never made it to market, remaining in the experimental stage.

However, the web-focused Windows 12 is expected to arrive in 2024. It remains to be seen what other features and improvements Microsoft will include in the new variant, but it is clear that the company is serious about competing with Chrome OS in the education market.

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