Microsoft updates Windows twice a year, usually adding some new welcome features (a new screen capture tool, a cleaner Start Menu, etc.). This year’s spring update will be another one of those small updates that add polish and eliminate bugs.
But in the fall, Microsoft is expected to launch a new Windows 10 design on a large scale. We know this for a few reasons.
Microsoft did not respond to a request for comment.
Why Windows needs an update
Most of the recent Windows tweaks have been targeted at specific audiences, mainly corporate players and customers. But the PC is back as a staple consumer product – the age of work at home caused by the coronavirus pandemic has made productivity interesting again. Microsoft wants to ensure that its new daily users enjoy the experience of using their PCs.
Apple’s new Mac OS Big Sur takes advantage of the new chip by integrating features people have grown accustomed to on their iPhones and iPads. The convergence of smartphones, tablets and PCs is underway.
Still, this new type of chip can disrupt the sober world of PCs, igniting a fire under Microsoft to redesign Windows for new types of PCs that have not yet been designed. So it’s time for Windows 10 to get a major update.
Sad history of Windows updates
It doesn’t look like the “Sun Valley” version of Windows 10 will be the completely new kind of experience from previous new Windows iterations. This is probably a good thing, as Microsoft has a reputation for providing a good operating system with every attempt:
- Windows 3 was a great success. Windows 95 was a success, but a mess full of bugs.
- Windows 98 fixed all 95 errors. But Windows Me could be the worst Windows iteration of all time.
- Windows XP could be Microsoft’s greatest success ever. Windows Vista was a disaster.
- Windows 7 was loved for getting back to basics. With Windows 8, people didn’t even know how to get to the desktop.
- Windows 10 has been a huge success. So, let’s not screw it up, Microsoft.