Earlier this week, we discussed new Windows 10X features coming to regular Windows 10 preview builds. Microsoft making such a move seemed to indicate the demise of Windows 10X. That has now been confirmed with an official announcement signaling the end of the modular version of the platform.
In a blog post detailing the changes coming with Windows 10 May 2021 Update – which is launching this month – Microsoft confirmed Windows 10X is heading into the sunset.
Microsoft reasons that the new tools it was planning for Windows 10X would instead be more valuable to the wider Windows 10 userbase:
“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.”
Features Still Available
Microsoft says some of the 10X features are already in Windows 10 and Insider builds. We already know the Windows 10 May 2021 Update is small, so it does not have many 10X additions. However, looking ahead, the Windows 10 21H2 release will receive some nice tools from the doomed SKU.
Specifically, tools for Microsoft Defender Application Guard, an improved Voice Typing experience, touch keyboard with key sizing, colors, animations, and more. Microsoft says it will continue to work on 10X technology even if the version will no longer stand on its own.
“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.”
Windows 10X was different to the standard SKU in various ways as Microsoft sought a platform that could function across form factors. As I mentioned earlier in the week, it's not necceasarily a bad idea that Microsoft is not launching 10X.
History has taught us users do not want a diluted Windows experience. Whether it's the disaster that was Windows RT or the rapid devolution of Windows 10 S, lesser Windows versions have always failed.
Tip of the day: Is your system drive constantly full and you need to free up space regularly? Try Windows 10 Disk Cleanup in extended mode which goes far beyond the standard procedure. Our tutorial also shows you how to create a desktop shortcut to run this advanced method right from the desktop.
