Microsoft reportedly building variant of Windows 10 like Chrome OS

Microsoft is building a new web-focused experience of Windows 10X to complete with Chrome OS, according to report.

Windows 10X dual-screen desktop
Windows 10X dual-screen desktop

Microsoft is reportedly working on a new web-first experience of Windows 10 for low-cost devices to compete with Chromebooks.

Although the software giant already announced Windows 10X as a modular and lightweight version of Windows 10 for dual-screen devices with support for legacy (win32) applications using virtualized containers, the plans have now changed. According to a new report from Windows Latest (and Windows Central), Microsoft is now planning to release Windows 10X as an operating system that focuses on the web for low-end devices to take on Google’s Chromebooks.

The report also claims that Windows 10X will first ship without support for legacy applications, but eventually, the support will be delivered through an app streaming solution in 2022.

The new version of Windows 10X is expected to have a familiar interface as the one you see today on Windows, but it’ll be less clutter to improve battery life, and legacy components like Control Panel, File Explorer, and access to Registry will be removed. In the case of Control Panel and File Explorer, the company is expected to replace them with the Settings app and a new modern version of File Explorer.

Windows 10X for the web-first experience is rumored to be finalized in December 2020, and hardware with the new operating system should launch sometime in 2021. The report also suggests that Microsoft may show its Surface Go 3 running this new version of Windows 10X.

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.