Windows 10 was a definite change of direction for Microsoft when it launched in 2015. Before it was released, Windows 8.1 was proving to be quite unpopular, as millions of users subscribed to 7 or XP. Windows 10 merged the best of everything that came before it and added new features as well, but most importantly, it was pushed as a free update for all users. Instead of increasing the version number each time, the company released updates for Windows 10 to bring new features and user interface changes. The 20H2 update, for example, brought changes to the user interface for the start menu, but further reform may be on the horizon according to a list of Microsoft jobs.
As seen by WindowsLatest, Microsoft recently published a job posting for a senior software engineer who “will work with our flagship platform, Surface and OEM partners to orchestrate and provide a visual rejuvenation of Windows experiences to signal to our customers that Windows is BACK and ensure that Windows is considered the best user operating system experience for customers. ” This formulation strongly suggests that the company is working on a major UX overhaul that will take place sooner or later. After covering the job list, Microsoft changed the job description to say, instead, that the position is intended to “orchestrate[ing] and deliver[ing] experiences that ensure Windows is a great user experience for our customers. “
This is in line with previous reports that talked about Microsoft’s plans for a major UX overhaul, codenamed “Sun Valley”. And as I said before, the latest 20H2 update already comes with some minor changes to the user interface, such as a simpler and optimized Start menu with simpler-looking blocks. So, what will this renewed UI look like? We may have seen hints of this in Windows 10X, a new version that eliminates most legacy features and components in favor of a lighter and more stable experience. Windows 10X was not meant to replace Windows 10, but some Windows 10X UX components, which look radically different from Windows 10, may come to it. Of course, this is just speculation, and the company could choose to do something entirely different.