Microsoft has made multiple attempts at launching a lite version of Windows but they either failed or didn’t pick up, or in the case of Windows 10X, never got to launch. The tech giant has revealed that the much-awaited version of Windows that is supposed to take on Chrome OS has now been canceled.

In a statement released by the company for the Windows 10 May 2021 update, John Cable, the vice president, Windows Servicing and Delivery, said Windows 10X will not make it to market but some of its key foundational technology will be integrated into Windows and other products.

“Instead of bringing a product called Windows 10X to market in 2021 like we originally intended, we are leveraging learnings from our journey thus far and accelerating the integration of key foundational 10X technology into other parts of Windows and products at the company,”

He goes on to say that the technology of Windows 10X can be useful in more ways and should not be limited to a category of users which is why it took the decision not to launch the product anymore.

Some of the features of Windows 10X are said to be integrated into Windows Insider preview builds. These include “Microsoft Defender Application Guard, an enhanced Voice Typing experience, and a modernized touch keyboard with optimized key sizing, sounds, colors, and animations”.

Windows 10X was originally supposed to come bundled with dual-screen devices such as the delayed Surface Neo. However, Microsoft said it was shifting the target to single-screen laptops. There are speculations that the Surface Neo may eventually be canceled.

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Back in the early days of smartphones, Android and iOS weren’t the only two platforms in the market. With the popularity of smartphones soaring, Microsoft had attempted to bring its Windows platform to mobiles as well, although it had failed to garner the same popularity and eventually died out. But now, a seemingly unlikely pairing has brought an upcoming version of Windows to an old Nokia Lumia handset.

The Lumia 950 XL was launched back in 2015 and was a flagship grade device of its time. It arrives with premium hardware on the inside, which is probably what enabled developers to somehow find a way to run a new variant of Windows on it. According to a SlashGear report, developer Gustave Monce has just recently shared a series of short videos that depict the old Lumia device running the new Windows 10X operating system on Twitter.

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For those unaware, Gustave is also the same developer that got Windows RT and Windows 10 running on the same device a couple of years prior. In the short video clips, the upcoming lite variant of the popular OS can be seen running almost perfectly on the Nokia Lumia 950 XL. This also means that this version of the OS is also built with touch integration and scalability to different screen sizes, and orientation as well. A slight latency in inputs can be observed, but that is likely due to the aging hardware.

I'm sorry pic.twitter.com/iSGLC0f6Ix

— Gustave Monce (@gus33000) January 24, 2021

However, it is still quite a sight seeing an old smartphone run a desktop grade software in a manner that almost seems usable. Notably, Monce has also provided images as a step by step process for those who want to replicate this process of bringing Windows 10X for your smartphones. Although, it is advisable not to attempt it on your daily driver or main handset.

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Back in 2019, the Windows 10X platform was announced as a modular and lightweight version of the Windows 10 operating system. Since its announcement, Microsoft had stated that the OS will support Win32 apps as well, although, reports had indicated that this might not be the case with the first version of the new OS.

Now, a new leaked build of Windows 10X has revealed that the new operating system could still launch with development tools for Win32 applications as well. According to a WindowsPhoneInfo report, the latest build of the Windows 10X features a new developer setting that will allow users to load “unsigned apps,” including desktop apps. Looking at a screenshot of this new setting, Microsoft has apparently built a dedicated settings page for this feature as well.

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The settings option reveals a page for the container technology and the developer only toggle, which includes the Win32 app’s testing. At the moment, the feature does not work, although, that might only be the case for the leaked build of the OS. As per the setting’s description, “Enabling this setting will allow unassigned apps to run. Allowing all apps to run on your device could be harmful to your device or data.” Keep in mind, that simply enabling the setting will not allow users to install and run regular desktop (.exe) apps on Windows 10X, which is expected to be released later in the year.

However, what it does imply is that Microsoft is planning on adding Win32 app support sometime in the future. Meaning, developers would soon be able to test their apps on the lightweight OS soon. But, most would likely have to run UEP apps from the Microsoft Store and Progressive Web Apps till then. So stay tuned for more updates regarding the upcoming Windows 10X OS.

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Microsoft has been working on a new version of Windows 10, which is called Windows 10X, for many months now. The operating system was supposed to launch this year but the company postponed it and made few changes to its initial plans.

Now, Windows 10X, which is built on top of the Windows 10 core operating system, is expected to officially release in the second quarter of next year. With just a few months to the launch, details are surfacing online.

A new report reveals that the Windows 10X from Microsoft will come with a ‘Modern Standby’ feature to offer an instant-on and always-connected experience.

Currently, most Windows-powered laptops take some time to wake up from sleep mode. With instant-on, as the name indicates, the company aims to offer an experience where the system resumes as soon as the lid is open.

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Another addition is the always-connected feature that will enable the apps to work in the background even during sleep mode. This will be helpful for apps like emails, allowing it to fetch email messages in the background. Most Windows Store Apps are said to be compatible with this feature.

Apart from the Modern Standby feature, the upcoming Windows 10X is expected to come with several other features and improvements, including a new File Explorer. To know what’s up the company’s sleeves, we will have to wait for a few more months.

For those who are unaware, the Windows 10X project started out with a focus on dual-screen and foldable devices, but a few months ago, the company delayed the launch and revealed that it’s changing focus to single-screen devices for the initial release.

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Microsoft has already confirmed that the company is working on a new variant of the Windows operating system — Windows 10X which is a modular and lightweight version of Windows 10.

While the project started out with a focus on dual-screen and foldable devices, the company recently announced that the launch has been delayed and it is changing focus to single-screen devices for the initial release.

Now, as per the latest report, the Windows 10X operating system from Microsoft could be ready by December this year. However, there’s one major disappointment for those who are looking forward to it.

As per the report, there will be no support for Win32 apps. Earlier, Microsoft had promised that Windows 10X will be able to run Win32 applications using virtualization but not it is being said that there will no support for VAIL technology and the users will be stuck using UWP and PWA applications.

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We just hope that this is for the initial release and the company is working on adding support for VAIL and Win32 apps on the Windows 10X operating system soon.

Microsoft was set to launch the Surface Neo dual-screen device running the Windows 10X operating system. However, the device has now been delayed until 2022. With Microsoft set to offer Windows 10X RTM this December, third-party devices will get launched running this new operating system instead of Microsoft’s own hardware.

The devices running this new operating system should be available by Spring 2021. It seems that Windows 10X is now aimed towards low-cost devices and could compete against the likes of Chromebooks in the market.

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Last year, Microsoft announced its Windows 10X operating system along with the new Surface Neo and Surface Duo devices. At that time, the company had revealed that the new OS will only be coming to the dual-screen devices.

The Windows 10X for phones, tablets and laptops featuring two displays was set to first come with the Surface Neo during holiday season this year, however the device has now reportedly been delayed until 2021, which is in line with our previous reporting.

Meanwhile, the company has confirmed that it is changing focus and will now launch the Windows 10X operating system first for the single-screen devices, which is basically laptops. In a blog post, Microsoft’s chief product officer Panos Panay says: “With Windows 10X, we designed for flexibility, and that flexibility has enabled us to pivot our focus toward single-screen Windows 10X devices that leverage the power of the cloud to help our customers work, learn and play in new ways.”

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He goes on to add that the single-screen devices will be the first expression of Windows 10X for the customers and the company continues to work with its OEM partners to bring dual-screen devices to the market at the right time.

It seems that the company decided to take this step because its timeline has been disrupted due to the on-going COVID-19 pandemic. Panos Panay also hints at this when he says that “the world is a very different place than it was last October when we shared our vision for a new category of dual-screen Windows devices.”

While it has been confirmed that the Windows 10X will first come for single-screen devices, it has not been revealed when this operating system would arrive. Since the company isn’t focusing on dual-screen devices, the launch could happen soon. To know for sure, we’ll have to wait for the announcement from Microsoft.

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(Source)

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Last year, in October, Microsoft revealed unique future product that the company planned to start shipping from this year — Microsoft Surface Neo. The device is a dual-screen notebook with an extra keyboard and stylus support.

For this unique form-factor of the device, the Redmond-giant also developed a new branch of Windows operating system called Windows 10X, which is aimed to make the user experience better on such foldable devices.

Now, it is being said that the company will miss its planned release date of holiday 2020 for the Surface Neo. However, the report adds that the launch timeline for the Surface Duo, a dual-screen Android smartphone, remains unaffected.

The dual-screen devices running the all-new Windows 10X were slated to ship around the holiday season of 2020. However, the company has pushed back the dates for this, which is likely due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. The company had warned in February this year that COVID-19 coronavirus was affecting the its China-based supply chain.

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The Microsoft Surface Neo is a dual-screen laptop with 360-degree hinges that allows you to use it in various forms. It has two 9-inch displays, is powered by Intel’s Lakefield processor. The Surface Neo and the Surface Duo look alike but the latter is much smaller and their internals are also different.

The device also has a magnetic keyboard that attaches to the back of the device. In laptop mode, you can decide to use this keyboard or the on-screen one. If you opt for the former, which is smaller than the screen, the remaining visible display at the top becomes what is called a WonderBar.

Windows 10X is a stripped-down version of Windows 10 but unlike Microsoft’s previous attempts at a lite-version of its operating system, Windows 10X can run legacy programs and not just Windows apps.

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(Via)

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Microsoft’s latest Developer Day event has brought a few interesting announcements this year. One of which was the Microsoft Windows 10X operating system that is basically a format of the popular operating system that supports dual screen better.

At the Developer Day of this year, Microsoft finally launched its much anticipated Windows 10X emulator. Meaning, one would no longer have to rely on individual OEMs proprietary workarounds for the new format, which are generally clunk at best. The software giant has also released two new videos that showcase the new Windows version running on the Surface Duo and Surface Neo notebooks.

Reportedly, the videos serve more than a simple purpose of a reveal and also seek to attract developers, showing them what more could potentially be made and optimized for dual screen devices. In the creative side of things, companies like LG and ZTE have already offered us a glimpse of what you can achieve in terms of productivity as well.

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Similarly, the Surface Duo, a dual screen notebook from Microsoft, also signifies the new parameters that an additional display opens up. Microsoft is trying to state that it would only require a few additional lines of coding to benefit from the new format. In other words, it is fairly simple to update existing Windows apps to better support and utilize two screen seamlessly.

One example of an app making this switch is PicsArt, an image editing application for the Windows OS. The primary screen shows the controls and the edits while the secondary screen displays the finished product. It also includes other special features, like optimizations for the Surface Pen, offering highly precise editing.

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(Via)

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Microsoft has an event tomorrow where it will take the wraps off a number of new hardware. Some of these devices have already leaked in the past such as the Surface Laptop which will come in a new 15” model, and the Surface Pro 7. However, those leaks didn’t include images.

Evan Blass, the popular leaker, has released a bunch of photos of some of the devices launching tomorrow as well as additional info about others.

Surface Pro 7 – USB-C is finally here

The leaked images include that of the Surface Pro 7. The Surface Pro series is Microsoft’s line of Windows tablet which can transform to become a 2-in-1 PC by adding a keyboard cover.

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This year’s model will be getting a long-awaited feature – USB Type-C. As seen in the photos, there is now a USB Type-C port on the right side of the Surface Pro 7 alongside a full-sized USB port. There is also a card reader on the right.

Surface Laptop 3 13” and 15”

The Surface Laptop will return a third time and will bring along a sibling with a larger display. An earlier leak revealed that this 15” model will be powered by AMD’s Ryzen processor.

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We can’t see a USB Type-C port on the right but we hope there is one on the left with support for Thunderbolt. The pictures show that there is no fingerprint scanner on any of the variants and the larger model also skips a dedicated number pad.

It does look like Microsoft has ditched its Alcantara fabric design for metal.

Surface Campus (Arm-Powered Surface)

While the Surface Pro 7 will be powered by an Intel processor, Microsoft will also announce a Surface tablet that is powered by an Arm-chipset. This device will launch as the Surface Campus. The name hints at it being targeted at students. Expect an insane battery life as well as LTE onboard.

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This Surface Campus also has a kickstand and an attachable keyboard. There are also two USB Type-C ports on the left. One of the images also shows a stylus.

Dual-Screen Surface

Other than the aforementioned devices, Evan Blass also adds that there is a dual-screen Surface device too. There are no images but he mentions that it will run a special version of Windows called Windows 10X which has been designed for dual-screen and folding-screen devices.

The event will hold in New York tomorrow and should be live-streamed.

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