Source: Daniel Rubino / Windows Central
Earlier this week, Microsoft’s product director, Panos Panay, launched a brief but tantalizing provocation that something big is on its way to Windows, referring to what is to come as “the next generation of Windows” . Microsoft hasn’t used terminology like that since the debut of Windows 10 in 2015, and that’s because Windows 10 was a new operating system replacing the previous one, supported by a huge marketing campaign focused on getting users to upgrade to the new Windows.
Therefore, Panay referring to “the next generation of Windows” is much more important than you might think, because it is terminology that Microsoft should want to avoid now that Windows 10 is the “latest version” of Windows that is updated as a service. . You cannot have one next generation Windows if Windows 10 is the latest version. So, what is Panay referring to? Let’s put on our thinking caps.
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Is it Sun Valley or Windows 10X?
I think this “next generation of Windows” refers to Windows 10X and Microsoft’s next Sun Valley update to Windows 10. On the Windows 10X side, things are self-explanatory. Windows 10X is built on a new, modern core without all the bloated legacy of the “big” Windows and can easily be categorized as the truth next generation of Windows built from the ground up with new user experiences and modern workflows in mind. But 10X is not yet ready for conventional markets.
On the other hand, the Windows desktop is still one of Microsoft’s biggest products, and that is not going to change because Windows 10X is here. I can’t imagine a world in which Windows 10X will become the ‘mainstream’ version of Windows for at least another five years, and that is generous. Therefore, Microsoft cannot ignore the best Windows desktops, even if it wanted to.
That’s where the Sun Valley comes in. Microsoft itself has said it is planning a “radical rejuvenation” of Windows, which will include a modern and consistent UI design, new features and make the Windows desktop something that people want to use again. Windows 10 today is not the most beautiful software out there and it is not the easiest to use. This usually hurts the Surface, which struggles to build minimalist yet functional PC hardware.
I think Panay wants a big Windows to complement Surface hardware in a way that it’s not doing right now, and that’s what Sun Valley is able to bring to the table. Sure, most of the improvements that will come to Windows with Sun Valley will be applicable to all PCs running Windows 10 today, but from Microsoft’s perspective, your hardware and software can finally be shipped as a united product that goes hand in hand. holding hands.
A marketing strategy?
The “next generation” is probably a marketing terminology designed to get customers to upgrade or buy new PCs with Sun Valley or Windows 10X pre-installed later this year and in 2022. It’s a phrase that tells the world that Windows is back and it’s still relevant, and it deceives you into wanting a new PC.
This is not a bad thing, of course. It would be good for Windows fans if Microsoft were considering the next major update to Windows 10 worthy of the nickname “next generation”.
It would not make much sense to just call Windows 10X “next generation” and, at the same time, provide this major Sun Valley update for Windows 10 desktops. It would hurt Sun Valley and end up confusing customers. That’s why I think “next generation” refers to both Sun Valley and Windows 10X.
Existing Windows 10 PCs will probably still be upgraded to this next generation just like previous versions of Windows 10, and Windows 10X will be what is exclusive to new PCs. I really think Sun Valley will serve as a spiritual Windows 11, just without the new name or changes in licensing.
Overall, I think it’s a combination of Microsoft’s efforts with Windows 10X, as well as a major effort to put legacy Windows back in the spotlight with a new version designed to keep the operating system relevant in a world powered by mobile platforms. I will be surprised if it turns out to be a new version of Windows with a new name that costs money to upgrade as it used to.
All of this is speculation, of course. It is fun to imagine, and I think it will be very interesting to see what Panos Panay and his team planned for Windows later this year. It’s starting to look like Windows is important to Microsoft again, and that’s a good thing.
Also remember that the version of Windows 10 scheduled for release later this year will be Panos Panay’s first real version of the operating system under his leadership, so it’s no surprise to know that he has big plans in store for the platform. What are your thoughts? Let us know in the comments.
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