Windows 10X action center and desktop

Windows 10X: hands-on walkthrough video

This video walks you through the most important features and changes coming on Windows 10X, the new Chrome OS competitor.

A nearly final version of Windows 10X recently leaked onto the web revealing a completely redesigned version of the operating system. In this video, you’ll get a closer look at the new experience.

Windows 10X is a new streamlined version of Windows 10 that is expected to ship on new devices (primarily low-end hardware) to compete with Chrome OS, and it’s not a version that you will be able to download to upgrade existing devices. It was originally built for dual-screen and foldable devices, but then Microsoft refocused the project for single-screen devices.

The version leaked onto the web includes almost everything expected to ship in the coming months, including a new boot animation and a modern out-of-box experience (OOBE) with a friendly interface to finish setting up a device.

Also, Windows 10X introduces a taskbar that puts all buttons at the center of the screen and includes a simpler notification area. Microsoft is also working on a new Start menu that ditches Live Tiles in favor of traditional icons. For this version, the action center has also been redesigned with a new interface that now separates “Quick settings” from notifications and includes the power options.

In this new variant of Windows 10, you will find new animations throughout the experience and new ways to work with multiple apps.

There is even a new modern version of File Explorer with basic functionalities that only give you a window to manage cloud content, and there is a new version of the Settings app with only basic settings.

Along with these new features and experiences, Windows 10X is changing many more aspects of the operating system, and you can watch this hands-on video to learn more about this new variant to compete with Chrome OS.

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. Email him at [email protected].