With 2021 finally, Microsoft plans to launch new exciting features and updates for Windows 10 operating system and other products this year.
Microsoft has already confirmed that Windows 11 will not be released, and the company plans to update Windows 10 with new variants, features, enhancements and fixes.
In addition, Microsoft will continue to develop new Surface products with Windows 10, Windows on ARM and Windows 10X.
Windows 10 21H1
The first Windows 10 update of the year is codenamed version 21H1, and it may be released later this spring with the number 19043.
Unlike the May 2020 update (2004 version), Windows 10 version 21H1 is expected to be a smaller version with quality improvements, bug fixes, and security improvements for business customers.
This means that it will be a small update that can be installed quickly, hopefully with less hassle than an extensive update with many new features.
Windows 10X
After 21H1, Microsoft plans to launch its highly anticipated modular operating system called ‘Windows 10X’, which was initially introduced for dual-screen products.
While the optimized version of Windows 10X with dual screens is pending, Microsoft is now trying to get Windows 10X running on single screen devices for the spring of 2021.
Windows 10X has been updated to meet the growing needs of affordable inexpensive hardware in the education market, and is reportedly starting at $ 600 series devices.
According to Microsoft, Windows 10X comes with a new Start Menu experience and an attractive set of colored icons to provide a simple experience with fewer customization options.
Windows 10 21H2 ‘Sun Valley’
After 21H1 and 10X, Microsoft plans to release the ’21H2′ update for Windows 10. As is typical of Microsoft’s release plan, Windows 10’s 21H2 should land in the fall of 2021 with a new user interface refresh with the codename “Sun Valley.”
This update is a complete update that includes numerous enhancements to the Start Menu, Taskbar, Action Center, and more.
For example, Microsoft said it is exploring new design ideas with rounded corners and flowing design for app menus and elements, such as the ListView, buttons, slides, and so on.
Similarly, Microsoft is testing a new animation for Windows 10’s app windows, including UWP applications and legacy applications.
Cloud computing
As we reported in December, Microsoft is developing a new virtualized Windows PC experience called ‘Cloud PC’ that allows business customers to run their personal desktop in the cloud and use it remotely via their devices.
Cloud PC is likely to be part of the company’s Windows as a Service ‘tagline, and it will also support streaming of Win32 apps on Windows 10X.
Cloud PC will not replace any existing services and is offered as a paid service for enterprise customers who want access to their Windows computer from anywhere and anytime.
Android streaming support
Reports have suggested that Microsoft is creating an Android subsystem for Windows 10 to enable native support for Android applications. Microsoft is also working on a new developer tool that allows Android apps to be distributed in an MSIX package via the Microsoft Store.
Microsoft Surface Products
In addition to new Windows updates, Microsoft also plans to refresh the Surface series with two new additions – Surface Pro 8 and Surface Laptop 4. While the Surface Pro 8 (2021) is expected to use Intel Tiger Lake CPUs, Surface Laptop 4 will offered with both Intel and AMD options.
Surface Laptop 4 has AMD Ryzen 4000 processors and Intel Tiger Lake U-CPUs according to leaked standards. Surface Pro 8, on the other hand, is expected to use Intel Tiger Lake CPUs with up to 32 GB of RAM and 1 TB of internal SSD storage.