What you need to know
- Internal documentation reveals new info about Windows 10X.
- It confirms that Windows 10X will come to clamshells at some point.
- Documentation also details new user experiences and changes.
Leaked internal Microsoft documentation has revealed new details around Microsoft's upcoming Windows 10X operating system announced earlier this month for foldable PCs. The documentation shows minor details around some of the user experience changes and enhancements you can expect to see on Windows 10X, and also confirms what I've heard about how Windows 10X will also be made available for laptops in addition to foldables.
The internal documentation also reveals the name of the new Start menu, which Microsoft is now calling the "Launcher" on Windows 10X: This is similar language to what's found on Android. The new Launcher features a search bar that searches the device locally as well as in the cloud such as on OneDrive. Below is a grid of installed apps and websites. This Start menu includes both local apps and web apps as if they were one of the same, which should streamline the experience for users.
There's also going to be a new Action Center and Quick Actions design, which will also house many system tray elements. Visually, notifications will now be separated from the quick actions area, although they are still accessed using the same entry point on the taskbar. The taskbar is also configurable, with the user being able to have a centered taskbar like we've seen so far or a left-aligned taskbar like what's on Windows 10 today.
The documentation also reveals a list of apps Microsoft expects will be inbox with Windows 10X when it launches next year. The list includes the usual apps:
- Alarms & Clock
- Calculator
- Calendar
- Camera
- Excel
- Feedback Hub
- Groove Music
- Media Plans
- Messaging
- Microsoft Edge
- Microsoft Store
- Microsoft Teams
- Microsoft To Do
- Microsoft Whiteboard
- Movies & TV
- Netflix
- Notepad
- OneNote
- Paint
- People
- Photos
- PowerPoint
- Snip & Sketch
- Solitaire
- Spotify
- Sticky Notes
- UWP File Explorer
- Voice Recorder
- Weather
- Word
This list likely isn't final, as apps such as Your Phone and Skype don't appear to be listed just yet. It's also worth mentioning that the bundled Office apps such as Word and PowerPoint will be the PWA versions wrapped in a UWP wrapper, meaning they will be native to Windows 10X. Users will, of course, be able to download the Win32 versions of Office if they need it.
The documentation makes a brief mention of a new modern File Explorer, something we've known about as being in the works for Windows Core OS devices for some time. While no images of the new File Explorer have leaked yet, this documentation is the first time we've seen it confirmed via Microsoft itself. The leak also talks about a slightly updated login UI.
Overall, these details don't reveal too much new, but they do give us a better idea at how Microsoft is planning to position Windows 10X when it starts shipping. While it will be exclusive to foldables at launch, Microsoft fully intends to make Windows 10X a version of Windows that users can buy on regular laptops and tablets as well.
