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Windows 10X

Windows 10x

Windows Cancels 10x, Launched a New Update for Windows 10 Instead.

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Windows 10 have been one of the most popular OS by Microsoft, and before the pandemic, the company had announced an even better version of the OS, i.e., Windows 10x. But today, Microsoft took it to their official blog and revealed that the company doesn’t have any plans to release the much-anticipated Windows 10x, also known by the codename ‘Santorini’. Rather, it will revamp the existing Windows 10. Microsoft also released a new version of the OS, version 21H1.

The Early Announcement

In 2019, Microsoft had announced that the company will release a new OS, Windows 10x, along with Microsoft’s new dual-screen devices. It was at the time when Microsoft announced its dual-screen foldable laptop, the Surface Neo, in October 2019. The company called Windows 10x, and the dual-screen laptops, its most ambitious projects of all time. But exactly one year ago, the company changed its statement and revealed that it is also planning to release the OS for the single-screen laptops, and those will be the first to get access to Windows 10x. Even during the last announcement, Microsoft had not given any dates on when it will officially launch the OS for any of the devices.

The Cancellation of Windows 10x

Though the company was really excited about the new OS for its lightweight devices, Microsoft today announced that it is has pulled the plug on Windows 10X. The company revealed the information in a blog post that included the announcement of the new update to the existing Windows 10.

In the announcement, Microsoft said that it was intending to launch the 10x technology for a certain group of customers. But in the past two years of exploration and experiments, the company has concluded that 10x can serve a larger group of people, so launching it for only a specific group won’t be fair. So instead of launching a separate OS, windows 10x, the company will be incorporating the key foundational 10X technology into the existing Windows 10 and other products of the company so that all the Windows customers can get benefitted.

Windows 10x
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“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,” said the head of Windows servicing and delivery, John Cable, in a statement. 

Microsoft also confirmed that it has already started to include some of the 10x features into the Windows products, like the new app container technology has already been integrated into the Microsft products like the Microsoft Defender Application Guard and the Voice Typing.

The New Version 21H1 Update

Microsoft, along with announcing the cancellation of Windows 10x, also announced the rollout of the new version 21H1 update for Windows 10. The company announced the update release in February 2021 and finally launched it in May. Microsoft claimed that the new update is a result of the ongoing work from home situation, and it will provide a better experience for the customers in terms of security, remote access, speed and quality.

According to the blog post, the update won’t be available right away, and the company is trying to help the customers to get the most out of it, so it is going to offer a reliable download to them. The update’s preview build was already available for the Windows Insider Program, and after the positive feedback from the community, the update is finally out for the customers.

How to Get the Update

The company has announced the new update for the devices running the Windows 10 version 2004 and further. The users can go to their Windows settings and select “Windows Update” under “Update & Security”. Here they have to select “Check for Updates”. The screen will show the “Download and install” option, and then, after clicking on that option, the update will download onto the computer. The update is similar to a monthly Windows update, and you can directly start updating the OS by running the downloaded file. According to the company, the update will run faster on Windows 10, version 2004, and version 20H2.

Windows 10x

Windows 10X – Some New Features You Should Know

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Perhaps Windows 10X will be one of the most significant operating systems to reach the computing world, especially with the age of foldable PCs and laptops already upon us. Foldable PCs are going to take over the world of computing. If you’ve been using Windows 10 since it was first launched, or only recently, you’ve probably noticed how vastly different it is from any previous Windows version. Though, no matter how long people have been using Windows 10, there are still new features available that people don’t know are there in the operating system. Windows 10X is crucial to ensuring that this latest generation of portable devices run smoothly as they reach the streets. Now, it is time to learn it all, from its release date to its exclusive features.

Window 10X Features

One thing we must understand is that Windows 10X is the official name for Windows Lite Santorini. It’s not a different operating system. It is Windows 10, designed for dual-screen foldable devices in a more compact shape.

Different Orientation, Different Layout

Windows 10X feels like a much more updated Windows 10 version, which has been cleaned up for future apps. Windows 10X is specifically designed for foldable and dual-screen hardware and as a result, it has been optimized by Microsoft. One of the most noticeable improvements in the latest Start menu for Windows 10X. It no longer includes the animated Live Tiles found on Windows 10, Windows 8, and Windows Phone, and now features a streamlined look. Thanks to the Windows 10X emulator made available by Microsoft, we now know that even though it’s another version of Windows 10, just like Windows 10 S, looks and interface is notably different.

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The improvements aren’t all that dramatic but they are noticeable and will feel like a brand new Windows user experience. Yet, their orientations are what is very remarkable about the architecture of the Windows 10X. This was designed by Microsoft to provide a more flexible user interface (and experience), shifting its orientation when you adjust your system mode. This operating system takes on a standard single-screen tablet interface when you’ve got your laptop in tablet mode. This takes a dual-screen orientation when you have your computer in book mode. It has a laptop mode, as well as an extended canvas mode. Microsoft calls it “multifunctional.”

Running Win32 Applications in a Container

Although Windows 10X is not as stripped as Windows 10 S, it does have a few similarities to the lightweight operating system. It doesn’t look like it has Windows Defender, the anti-malware program in Windows 10, which could mean that it may not be able to run all desktop applications in its final version. PCWorld, for instance, has announced that its simulator can’t run such applications, such as Slack.

Now, bear in mind that they tested it on an emulator, and several of your favorite mobile applications could very well support the final version of the operating system. As told by a dissertation help firm that Microsoft has also said it supports Win32 devices. It’s worth noting, however, that Windows 10X can run Win32 applications within a container. Essentially, the device must run independently from the operating system within a sandbox and this may cause performance issues.

Bye Cortana

The Start Menu and tile layout are not the only things Windows 10X has ditched in an attempt to become a more streamlined Windows 10 update. Cortana fans while they are on their Windows 10X computers may not be able to use their favorite virtual assistant. Right now, the fact that Windows 10X can support facial recognition with Windows Hello at least helps us to take comfort. When you are signed in, it will also forgo the need to delete the lock screen, saving you a little time.

The Wonder Bar

Another good thing about Windows 10X is its Wonder Bar, a touch panel that takes the magnetic flip-keyboard experience of Surface Neo to a new level. The Wonder Bar appears above the keyboard, fully loaded with emojis, gifs, and kaomoji when the keyboard is flipped into place on Surface Neo’s second screen in laptop mode. It’s far more than that though. It has a clipboard and a mouse, so it can host Netflix that you’ve been binging on while you’re having some “core” screen work done. It’s a cool function we can’t wait to check for one. Overall, Windows 10X feels like a more streamlined and updated version of Windows 10, in its current early state. It also feels a bit more locked up and modified, but Windows 10 is still unmistakable.