By now, you’ve probably heard the term “Windows 10X”. With the era of foldable PCs and laptops, Windows 10X may be one of the most important operating systems to hit the IT world. So it’s high time to stop hearing about it and start exploring what it has to offer.
But what exactly is Windows 10X? Code name Santorini, this is the next version of Windows 10 it’s specifically designed to power foldable PCs and dual screen laptops. Essentially, this will be the operating system for these Windows devices. And, as such, it will offer features and capabilities that other versions of Windows 10 will not have.
Foldable PCs are about to conquer the IT world. Dual screen laptops like the ASUS ZenBook Pro Duo and the HP Omen X 2S is out. Meanwhile, the two foldable phones and laptops like the Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Fold, Dell Duet Concept and Intel’s Horseshoe Bend (hopefully) are on the right track. It’s no surprise, then, that Microsoft is throwing its hat in the ring. Not only is he preparing to launch two foldables – the Neo surface and the Surface Duo, although the latter is supposed to run on Android. But it is also difficult to rationalize the operating system that will power them.
Windows 10X is essential to ensuring that this new generation of laptops works seamlessly when they hit the streets. It’s time to know everything, from its release date to its unique features.
Cut to the chase
- What is that? The next operating system for foldable PCs
- When did it come out? Q3 2020
- How much will it cost? Most likely free
Windows 10X release date
After presenting their concept of foldable PCs to CES 2020, Lenovo and Dell could release them in late 2020. Lenovo has said at least as much about its ThinkPad X1 Fold. Dell still hasn’t shared clues to the official launch of the Concept Duet, so we may not see it until 2021 – if we see it at all. Regarding the Surface Neo, Microsoft says we will see it coming to the “Holiday 2020” tablets.
So it makes sense that Windows 10X is ready before these foldables arrive in stores, as Microsoft partners will have to test it on their respective foldable devices. Microsoft will also make the operating system available to developers sooner to give them enough time to transfer their applications to the unique Windows 10X dual-screen ecosystem. As for when it will be, Microsoft has yet to say. We are sure we will hear more details at Microsoft Build 2020 in May.
As for us, consumers, we don’t have to wait long. According to Microsoft, the operating system will be “available on dual-screen, foldable devices from fall 2020”. If everything goes as planned, Windows 10X will be tweaked and ready before Microsoft launches Surface Neo.
Windows 10X compatibility
According to Microsoft, Windows 10X will be available on “Microsoft Surface and the devices of several partners in the Windows ecosystem, including ASUS, Dell, HP and Lenovo. It’s as specific as Microsoft is ready to do it at the moment.
It is unclear whether this will work with existing dual-screen laptops, although Windows 10X looks different in appearance, which will ideally fit the layout of these laptops. The second screen of the Asus ZenBook Pro Duo, ScreenPad Plus, for example, seems perfectly configured for the Wonder bar of Windows 10X.
What we do know for sure is that Windows 10X will be available on the Surface Neo. And, according to Tom material, Lenovo has confirmed that ThinkPad X1 Fold will also use the operating system, but not at launch.
But that’s all. We will make sure to update this page as soon as new Windows 10X compatibility information arrives, so be sure to bookmark it.
Windows 10X features
Different orientations, different layout
Thanks to the Windows 10X emulator made available by Microsoft, we now know that even if it is another version of Windows 10, much like Windows 10 S, it is significantly different in terms of appearance and layout. The changes are not that drastic, but they are visible and will certainly feel like a whole new experience for Windows users.
Finished, for example, the Start menu, replaced by what Microsoft calls a launcher. In dual screen mode or in book mode, this launcher appears on both screens and can be controlled on either. And, instead of normal tile mode, your apps will now appear just like on your tablet’s home, only in a context menu. This context menu also houses the search bar.
But what’s really impressive about the design of Windows 10X are its directions. Microsoft designed it to have a more adaptive user interface (and experience), changing its orientation as you change the mode of your device.
When you have your device in tablet mode, this operating system takes the typical interface of the single screen tablet. When you have your device in book mode, it takes on a dual screen orientation. It also has a laptop mode and an extended canvas mode. Microsoft calls it “multi-posture”.
In addition, Windows 10X will allow you to slam two windows on one screen – allowing you to have four applications neatly stacked and side by side in book mode. And, if you like landscape orientation, it will also allow you to drag an application on both screens so that it spans both.
So while it looks more like a trimmer version of Windows 10, Windows 10X seems to offer its own brand of versatility, taking advantage of the strengths that only foldable PCs and dual-screen laptops can offer.
Running Win32 applications in a container
While Windows 10X isn’t as stripped down as Windows 10 S, it has some similarities to the lightweight operating system.
It doesn’t seem to have Windows Defender, Windows 10’s anti-malware program, which could mean that its final version won’t be able to run all of the desktop apps. For example, PCWorld reported that its emulator cannot run certain applications like Slack.
Now keep in mind that they tested it on an emulator, and the final version of the operating system might very well support most of your favorite desktop applications. Microsoft has also stated that it supports Win32 applications.
However, it should be noted that Windows 10X will run Win32 applications in a container. In essence, the application will run in a sandbox separate from the operating system, which could lead to performance issues.
At least you won’t have to go through long updates. Microsoft has promised that Windows 10X will download and install an update in less than 90 seconds.
The Wonder Bar
Another good thing about Windows 10X is its Wonder bar, a touch screen that takes the Surface Neo magnetic keyboard experience to a new level. When the keyboard is set up on the second screen of Surface Neo in laptop mode, the Wonder bar appears above the keyboard, completely filled with emojis, gifs and kaomojis.
But it’s much more than that. It has a clipboard and keyboard, and it can host that Netflix show you’ve been binging on while you’re doing work on the “main” screen.
It’s a nifty feature that we, on the other hand, can’t wait to test.
Goodbye, Cortana. Hello Windows!
The Start menu and thumbnail layout aren’t the only things Windows 10X has abandoned in an effort to become a more streamlined version of Windows 10. Cortana fans won’t be able to use their favorite virtual assistant while on their devices. Windows 10X devices.
That’s right: it doesn’t look like Windows 10X will use Cortana.
However, Microsoft has not yet explained the snub. And, again, we only have the emulator on which to base this. It is quite possible that Microsoft waits until the last minute before adding Cortana to the mix.
For now, we can at least be reassured by the fact that Windows 10X will support facial recognition with Windows Hello. This will even save you from having to close the lock screen once connected, which will save you some time.
There are also a few other bonuses. Users of foldable PCs with tilted aesthetics should enjoy embellishing their devices, such as Windows 10X will feature dynamic wallpapers programmed to change to reflect the current time of day (or even night). And finally, those who want to stay connected will be happy to know that the operating system will support 5G, LTE and cloud connectivity.
Windows 10X will, of course, offer more features than Microsoft will reveal as we approach the operating system release date. Again, keep this page bookmarked as we will update it as soon as new information arrives.