Microsoft pauses development of Windows 10X, its Chrome OS competitor

Microsoft has reportedly paused the development of Windows 10X, its Chrome OS competitor for single-screen and dual-screen devices.

Windows 10X was announced way back in 2019 and it was set to launch later this year on a new range of 2-in-1s/notebooks from Microsoft partners. Unlike Windows 10, Windows 10X was supposed to be simple, sleek, faster, and more secure.

Windows 10X was originally designed for dual-screen devices like the Surface Neo. In 2020, Microsoft decided to delay the dual-screen version of the operating system and focus on single-screen devices.

Reports later suggested that Windows 10X will launch in the Spring of 2021 and the first look of the operating system was revealed in a leaked build.

Windows 10X has been put on the backburner

A new report claims that those plans have now changed and Windows 10X development has been paused.

Microsoft is now believed to be focusing on the Sun Valley update for Windows 10, which is set to ditch Windows 95-era icons for modern versions, enable support for rounded corners across top-level UI components, and more.

The future of Windows 10X is uncertain and it may never see the light of the day.

Difference between Windows 10X and Windows 10

Unlike, Windows 10, Windows 10X was going to be lightweight operating system without the classic File Explorer and live tiles.

In the leaked build and screenshots posted by Microsoft, Windows 10X has been spotted using Chrome OS like static icons for Microsoft Store apps and Progressive Web Apps.

In addition to the Start Menu, 10X also features a new centre-aligned taskbar with three different sizes – small, medium and large.

The small size is aimed at desktops with mouse support and medium or large size appears to be very touch-friendly.

As part of the modernization efforts, Windows 10X even removed the Control Panel and offered Windows Settings app as a replacement. Using the Settings app, users can customize the Action Center, taskbar, desktop wallpaper, and more.

In addition to these fancy features, Windows 10X also included a new security feature to prevent thieves from wiping and re-using stolen devices.

While Windows 10X development has been paused, it's possible that Microsoft will port some new features of Windows 10X to the regular Windows 10 operating system later this year.