Google’s new ‘Aluminium OS’ leak hints at a direct Windows 11 rival

• Google accidentally leaked Aluminium OS, a desktop-class Android for laptops.
• Features include a taller status bar, a Windows-style taskbar, split-screen multitasking, and multiple Chrome windows.
• Google may target low-end laptops and cloud-first PCs, directly challenging Windows 11.
• Microsoft’s push to address Windows 11 pain points may also be a defensive move against the Aluminium OS.

Google has accidentally offered the clearest look yet at its long-rumored desktop version of Android, internally known as “Aluminium OS.” A newly published bug report on the Chromium Issue Tracker (via 9to5Google) briefly exposed screen recordings of a Windows-style Android interface running on Chromebook hardware, confirming that Google is actively developing a desktop-class Android experience.

The leak originated from a Chromium bug report related to Chrome Incognito tabs. Attached to the report were two short screen recordings showing an unreleased desktop environment running on an HP Elite Dragonfly 13.5 Chromebook using a 12th Gen Intel Core Alder Lake-U processor. The report was later restricted, but not before the footage was preserved and shared publicly.

The internal build shown in the video is identified as ALOS ZL1A.260119.001.A1, with references pointing to Android 16. Google appears to be using existing Chromebook hardware as a development platform, which is unsurprising given that ChromeOS and Android already share much of their underlying architecture. This strongly suggests that Google’s desktop operating system effort is well beyond experimentation and deep into internal testing.

One of the most noticeable changes is the redesigned status bar, which is significantly taller than on phones and tablets. It appears purpose-built for large displays and desktop workflows. The overall layout resembles the mobile interface but is scaled and spaced for desktop use. Some observers have compared the clickable status bar icons to macOS, though the design remains distinctly Android.

While the status bar has evolved, the taskbar remains largely unchanged from current large-screen Android implementations. It still sits at the bottom of the screen, complete with a centered launcher button that mirrors Windows 11’s visual alignment.

However, the leak reveals subtle desktop refinements, including a redesigned mouse cursor with a visible tail for better tracking, improved window snapping and split-screen multitasking, and the ability to run multiple Chrome windows simultaneously. Desktop window controls appear in the top-right corner, closely resembling ChromeOS with minimize, fullscreen, and close buttons.

The leak reinforces speculation that Google is positioning Aluminium OS as a competitor in the low-end laptop and cloud-first computer market, an area long dominated by Windows and Chromebooks.

Windows remains the world’s most widely used desktop operating system, with Microsoft recently announcing that Windows 11 surpassed one billion users. However, adoption growth has reportedly slowed, and Google appears poised to capitalize on that opportunity with a lighter, Android-based alternative.

In that light, Microsoft’s recent acknowledgment that it needs to fix long-standing Windows 11 pain points may not be random. While user feedback, reliability concerns, and slower adoption are obvious factors, the emergence of Aluminium OS adds another potential pressure point.

A lighter, Android-based desktop platform optimized for multitasking, extensions, and AI-first workflows could begin to chip away at the low-end laptop and cloud-first PC segments. In this space, Windows already faces competition from Chromebooks. From that perspective, Microsoft’s renewed focus on stability, performance, and core platform improvements may also be about shoring up Windows 11 ahead of a new class of desktop competitors.

In addition, similar to Microsoft embedding Copilot deeply into Windows 11, Google is expected to integrate Gemini directly into Aluminium OS. The Gemini icon in the status bar indicates that AI assistance will be a core pillar of the platform rather than an optional add-on.

If this leak is representative of Google’s internal progress, Android’s desktop transformation is no longer theoretical. The platform looks polished, functional, and well beyond the concept stage, suggesting a potential 2026 public debut.

For Microsoft, this could mark the first credible Android-based desktop rival aimed directly at Windows laptops rather than tablets or phones. Whether Aluminium OS gains traction will depend on app compatibility, performance, and how well Google can convince users that Android belongs on the desktop.