- Microsoft has confirmed that Windows 10X won’t come to market.
- Instead, the best features and improvements will be ported to Windows 10.
- Windows 10X features are expected to arrive in Windows 10 in fall 2021.
Microsoft has officially confirmed that it no longer has plans to release Windows 10X. The company made the announcement alongside the release of the Windows 10 21H1 on May 18, 2021.
Originally, Windows 10X was planned to be a lightweight variant of the desktop version of Windows 10 designed specifically for dual-screen and foldable devices to compete with ChromeOS. Then the company re-worked the idea and made it a variant for single-screen devices for education and first-line workers with the promise to bring it to other form factors later. However, after much thought and delays, Microsoft is now officially saying that it is dropping the development project and will focus on porting the best features and improvements into Windows 10.
“Instead of bringing a product called Windows 10X to market in 2021 […], we are leveraging learnings from our journey thus far and accelerating the integration of key foundational 10X technology into other parts of Windows and products,” the company explains.
Although the software giant has released a small scope of improvements with the May 2021 Update, a more significant refresh is planned for the fall of 2021 with the release of Windows 10 21H2, which is expected to ship with many Windows 10X technologies. Some of these include an app container technology, enhanced Voice Typing, and a new touch keyboard experience, and more features are expected to appear as the development of Windows 10 continues.
This is not the first time the company is failing to create a modern version of Windows 10 since we have already seen other failed attempts, including Windows RT and Windows 10S. So, it is now becoming clear that the future of Windows will always be improving the version we already have, instead of trying to reinvent the experience.
The news comes days after sources familiar with the project revealed that the company was no longer planning to ship the new variant in 2021.
Mauro Huculak is a Windows expert and the Editor-in-Chief who started Pureinfotech in 2010 as an independent online publication. He is also been a Windows Central contributor for nearly a decade. Mauro has over 12 years of experience writing comprehensive guides and creating professional videos about Windows, software, and related technologies, 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.