Microsoft Announces Windows 10X for Dual-Screen and Folding Devices

Microsoft has a brand new version of Windows 10: Windows 10X. The company’s new version of its operating system has been in the news for a while, and we are finally getting our first official look at the new version of Windows 10.

Windows 10X is built for the next generation of PCs. Microsoft says Windows 10X is designed for dual-screen and folding-screen PCs. That essentially means that Windows 10X will offer a modified interface that suits the needs of dual-screen and folding-screen devices, much like Microsoft’s upcoming dual-screen Centaurus device. The new OS is essentially the Windows 10 you know, but with modifications that make it work well on these new types of devices.

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That’s not the only difference, though. Windows 10X is a stripped-down version of Windows 10, meaning it’s built to run modern applications instead of the classic Win32 apps. That doesn’t mean you won’t be able to run your classic apps, though — when you open up a Win32 app in Windows 10X, it will run that app within a container, which will also offer an added level of security. The performance of these apps running within a container won’t be as good as running them in the traditional way, though. So yes, Windows 10X is basically what Microsoft tried with Windows 10 S, but better. The new version of Windows 10 is expected to launch with Windows 10 20H2, which should arrive in late 2020.

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Conversation 16 comments

  • zakeeus

    02 October, 2019 - 11:25 am

    <p>Would the Microsoft Surface Neo be the rebirth of the Microsoft Courier?</p>

  • bbold

    02 October, 2019 - 11:45 am

    <p>Beautiful! Can't wait to buy this next year, and thanks Microsoft for such a wonderful, awe-inspiring event. :)</p>

  • dontbeevil

    02 October, 2019 - 11:49 am

    <p><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">I'm gonna love to use all the UWPs on this device, like the latest adobe fresco, and don't forget to follow the UWP sessions at MS ignite twitter.com/gcaughey/status/1179080387491971078</span></p>

  • sammibulin

    02 October, 2019 - 11:58 am

    <p>This is probably the most exciting product at this event</p>

  • Divodd

    Premium Member
    02 October, 2019 - 12:00 pm

    <p>10X Win-s! </p><p><br></p>

  • codymesh

    02 October, 2019 - 1:17 pm

    <p>does this mean that Win32 apps in the store (e.g. Spotify) are also going to be hit with a performance penalty? I hope not, because I thought the whole point of Win32 apps in the Store was to prevent apps from rotting the system.</p><p><br></p><p>also is this what Windows Lite is? Are 'Microsoft chromebooks' running Windows 10X going to be a thing or nah?</p>

  • ron f

    02 October, 2019 - 2:40 pm

    <p>I really love the format. Yet, they have to convince developers to support it with new software. It would also helps if they improve their own products for the format. I look forward to get one of these in my hands.</p>

  • Thom77

    02 October, 2019 - 3:13 pm

    <p>Wasn't the whole point of the creation of Windows 10 was to have one operating system where everyone was using the same thing at the same time on the same update and to put all this compartmentilization to rest?</p><p><br></p><p>This article (excellent by the way) reminds me of all the great videos on youtube that try to explain away how horrible the Last Jedi was by predicting really creative theories about how everything will make sense in the third installment … when the truth is that the people coming up with the theories put WAY MORE EFFORT and was way more competent at story telling … the Disney was.</p><p><br></p><p>I think your giving way too much credit to Microsoft, Thurott. I think your analysis makes sense if Microsoft … wasn't Microsoft.</p><p><br></p><p>Windows 10 S was the warning sign that the decision makers in Microsoft not only had no clue what they were doing … but more importantly, werent even remotely learning from the past.</p><p><br></p><p>At this point Occams Razor points to the reality that Microsoft is throwing mud at the wall in hope that something will stick.</p><p><br></p>

  • glenn8878

    02 October, 2019 - 3:18 pm

    <p>I have too many bad experiences with their Tablet mode. They need to fix it. Often windows title bar moves off the screen so I can't get it back. I'm stuck with an open application or file folder and I can't do anything with it. I'll pass on Microsoft junk.</p>

  • dxtremebob

    Premium Member
    02 October, 2019 - 7:16 pm

    <p>I wonder if one can run multiple Win32 applications in the same container….</p>

    • wright_is

      Premium Member
      04 October, 2019 - 12:21 am

      <blockquote><em><a href="#474444">In reply to DXtremeBob:</a></em></blockquote><p>The idea of a container is that it is an environment to run one application in. They can however communicate with each other.</p>

  • nbplopes

    03 October, 2019 - 3:09 am

    <p>Só MS presents a laptop with Windows on ARM and an innovative mobile device (Neo) with Intel x86. How confusing is that by leaving behind the most advanced mobile architecture in favor of another once again try of Intel. I guess for Neo, fast 5G and LTE, powerful graphics and AI along with always on blablaa, whatever MS to explain Windows on ARM reasoning is no longer important for Neo.</p><p><br></p><p>This should signal Qualcomm and the world on how serious is MS with ARM and Surface Pro X. I mean, if starting at $999 for 1;3 hours of battery life paired with its limitations as a Windows machine is not a signal already.</p><p><br></p><p>My impression is that Windows on ARM is nothing but a tactical move, king of “Windows does it too”, to attempt to block the growing interest on Chromebooks and iPads for ultralight computing with power. By confusing the issues at stake.</p><p><br></p><p>Has I said, I like the idea but I can only imagine the price of this Neo thing … starting at $1499 :… and what that will mean for developers actually.</p>

    • wright_is

      Premium Member
      04 October, 2019 - 12:29 am

      <blockquote><em><a href="#475027">In reply to nbplopes:</a></em></blockquote><p>Intel laptops have had 2G/3G/4G for decades and slotting in an AI ASIC isn't beyond the realms of possibility – and a dedicated ASIC would probably have more performance than a co-processor.</p><p>The 13 hours of battery life is explained away by them actually giving the chip a sensible TDP for a laptop. Decent performance requires power.</p><p>I'll wait and see what the devices bring, although I'm not really in the market for a laptop at the moment, my 2016 Spectre X360 is still going fine and I only use it for an hour a month, the rest of the time I use my desktop setup. It is more ergonomic and faster – that power thing again.</p>

  • mjgerrard

    03 October, 2019 - 5:34 am

    <p>I might be going mad in my old age but for what I would use this for, my heart sank a little bit when I garnered that it was an x86 machine. Microsoft needed a "halo" (no, not the game) device for Windows on ARM and an 8cx chip in this machine would have a) extended the battery life of such a "carry around" device that doesn't need performance as a main criteria; and b) given developers something to get their teeth into for ARM64. </p><p><br></p><p>Another year to wait so will have to see what happens, though I have to say the product did look pretty mature in terms of build.</p>

  • Dan1986ist

    Premium Member
    03 October, 2019 - 8:42 am

    <p>Since this is coming out next holiday, and Microsoft has just announced this, could this be a way to get potential developer support for these kinds of devices running Windows 10X and other personalities of Windows 10, if Microsoft is going in that direction? </p>

  • wright_is

    Premium Member
    04 October, 2019 - 12:20 am

    <p>This is what I have been saying Microsoft should do for about 10 years now… Glad they are finally listening.</p>

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