Microsoft pulls the plug on Windows 10x, will integrate key features into Windows 10

Microsoft on Tuesday announced it would not release Windows 10X operating system. The OS was said to be a modular version of the software and optimised for dual-screen/foldable devices. Microsoft had also confirmed the version for the single-screen devices as the “first expression of Windows 10X.”

In a blog post, Microsoft said that they had concluded that the Windows 10X should not be limited to a subset of customers. The company added it would integrate some of the 10X “foundational technologies” into Windows.

Here’s what the company said:

Instead of bringing a product called Windows 10X to market in 2021 like we originally intended, 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 at the company.

In fact, some of this is already reflected in the core of Windows in Windows Insider preview builds, for example the new app container technology we’re integrating into products like Microsoft Defender Application Guard, an enhanced Voice Typing experience, and a modernized touch keyboard with optimized key sizing, sounds, colours and animations. Our teams continue to invest in areas where the 10X technology will help meet our customer needs as well as evaluate technology experiences both in software and hardware that will be useful to our customers in the future.

According to a CNET report, details of Microsoft abandoning Windows 10X as a standalone product had leaked last week. The report added that Microsoft was struggling to determine how it would position the new version. It further noted that Windows 10X was designed to run on new PCs instead of the current and old devices. It was supposed to debut with Intel-powered devices, followed by ARM-based devices.

As mentioned earlier, Windows 10X would have debuted on dual-screen PCs, which were supposed to hit markets this year. The company later changed the strategy to announce the availability of the OS on single-screen PCs along with clamshell laptops and 2-in-1s.