Microsoft’s Windows ‘Threshold’ to remove the Charms bar for all devices

Windows 8 Charms bar on Surface Pro 3

Microsoft is expected to release the next version of Windows, codenamed “Threshold”, in spring 2015, we already know the company will include some major changes such as the new Start Menu and windowed modern apps. However those changes are just the beginning as new information coming from Microsoft’s watcher, Mary Jo Foley, strongly suggests that the software maker will remove the Charms bar for all desktop, laptop, and tablet users in the next version of the operating system, which may or may not be called Windows 9.

The Charms bar in Windows 8.x offers “easy” access to key navigation options such as Search, Share, Start, Devices, and Settings, but it seems that this feature didn’t have the impact the company expected. As such it’s highly likely that users won’t be seeing Charms starting with the next version of the operating system.

Moving forward, Metro-style Windows 8 apps will get a title bar with a menu that will contain the charms options. To get access to the system settings will be easy as the Settings tile is already part of the Start screen. “Contracts”, the agreement between apps that allows apps to talk to other apps, will continue to exist. However developers will have to add a share button to support the functionality.

This is just another way Microsoft hopes will make Windows “Threshold” a more appealing operating system for those who still running Windows 7, Windows Vista, and Windows XP. Recent rumors also suggested that Windows 9 will also include virtual desktops, a feature already exist in Linux and Apple’s OS X that allows users to create multiple desktops focus on specific tasks. The rumor was a bit weak, but sources familiar to the project confirm that this rumor is true.

SEE ALSO: Windows Threshold: new flat desktop design, interactive taskbar, and Cortana

Windows “Threshold” is arriving in spring 2015, but we will be seeing a public preview by fall 2014 timeframe. Also there is a good chance that the next version of the operating system will be a free update for Windows XP, Vista, 7, and Windows 8 users.

Source ZDNet

About the author

Mauro Huculak is a Windows How-To Expert who started Pureinfotech in 2010 as an independent online publication. He has also been a Windows Central contributor for nearly a decade. Mauro has over 14 years of experience writing comprehensive guides and creating professional videos about Windows and software, including Android and Linux. Before becoming a technology writer, he was an IT administrator for seven years. In total, Mauro has over 20 years of combined experience in technology. Throughout his career, he achieved different professional certifications from Microsoft (MSCA), Cisco (CCNP), VMware (VCP), and CompTIA (A+ and Network+), and he has been recognized as a Microsoft MVP for many years. You can follow him on X (Twitter), YouTube, LinkedIn and About.me.