What can ‘the next generation of Windows’ actually mean?

Source: Daniel Rubino / Windows Central

Earlier this week, Microsoft’s chief product officer, Panos Panay, released a brief but tantalizing tease that something big is on the way for Windows by referring to what’s next as ‘the next generation of Windows’. Microsoft has not used such terminology since the debut of Windows 10 in 2015, and that was because Windows 10 a new operating system replacing the previous one, backed by a major marketing campaign aimed at getting users to upgrade to the shiny new Windows.

Therefore, the reference to ‘next generation Windows’ is much larger than you might think, because it’s a terminology that Microsoft wants to avoid now that Windows 10 is the ‘latest version’ of Windows being updated as a service. You can not have a next generation of Windows if Windows 10 is the latest version. So, what does Panay refer to? Let’s put our minds on it.

Is it Sun Valley or Windows 10X?

I think this ‘next generation Windows’ refers to Windows 10X and Microsoft’s upcoming Sun Valley update for Windows 10. On the Windows 10X side, things are taken for granted. Windows 10X is built on a brand new, modern core without all the experienced boom of ‘big’ Windows, and can easily be categorized as the where next-generation Windows built from the ground up with new user experiences and modern workflows in mind. But 10X is not ready for mainstream markets yet.

On the other hand, Windows Desktop is still one of Microsoft’s biggest products, and that’s not going to change because Windows 10X is here. I can not imagine a world where Windows 10X will take over the ‘mainstream’ version of Windows for at least another five years, and it’s generous. So Microsoft can not ignore the best Windows desktop computers, even if it wants to.

This is where Sun Valley comes in. Microsoft itself has said it is planning a “rejuvenating” rejuvenation of Windows, which will include a modern and consistent user interface design, new features and make the Windows desktop something that people will want to use again. Windows 10 today is not the most beautiful software, and it is not the easiest to use. This is often to the detriment of Surface, which strives to build minimalist yet functional computer hardware.

I reckon Panay wants big Windows Surface hardware to complement in a way it just does not right now, and that’s what Sun Valley is capable of bringing to the table. Of course, most of the improvements that Windows makes with Sun Valley apply to all computers that use Windows 10 today, but from Microsoft’s perspective, their hardware and software can eventually be managed as one unified product that goes hand in hand.

A marketing strategy?

The ‘next generation’ is probably the marketing terminology designed to get customers to upgrade or buy new computers with Sun Valley or Windows 10X pre-installed later this year and until 2022. to want a new computer.

This, of course, is not bad. It would be nothing short of a good thing for Windows fans if Microsoft considered the next major Windows 10 update worthy of the ‘next generation’ monitor.

It would not make much sense to just call Windows 10X the ‘next generation’, while delivering this great Sun Valley update to Windows 10 desktops at the same time. This will undermine Sun Valley and eventually confuse customers. That’s why I think ‘next generation’ refers to Sun Valley and Windows 10X.

Existing Windows 10 computers will probably still be updated on this next generation just like previous versions of Windows 10, and Windows 10X is exclusive to new computers. I do think that Sun Valley will serve as a spiritual Windows 11, just without the new name or changes to licensing.

Overall, I think it’s a combination of Microsoft’s efforts with Windows 10X, as well as a big push to get Windows back in the spotlight with a shiny new version designed to keep the operating system relevant in ‘ a world driven by mobile platforms. I would be surprised if it’s finally a new version of Windows with a new name that costs money to upgrade like in the old days.

This is of course all speculation. It’s nice to wonder, and I think it’s going to be very interesting to see what Panos Panay and his team plan for Windows later this year. It’s starting to feel like Windows is important to Microsoft again, and that’s a good thing.

Also remember that the version of Windows 10 that will be available at the end of this year is Panos Panay’s first real version of the operating system that will be sent under his leadership, so it’s no surprise to hear that he has big plans for the platform in the pipeline. do not set. what are your thoughts Let us know in the comments.