Microsoft Corp. plans to launch its Windows 10X next-generation operating system next year with initial availability on business and education-focused computers.

The information reported today comes by way of sources who spoke to respected Microsoft watcher Mary Jo Foley at ZDNet.

First previewed by Microsoft last year, Windows 10X is an upcoming variant of Windows 10 slated to introduce a raft of upgrades. Among them is a slimmed-down interface, improved security and the ability to run on the new dual-screen devices starting to hit the market. There’s reportedly also a feature in the works that will allow the operating system to deploy some legacy applications inside software containers to improve hardware efficiency.

Microsoft’s release roadmap for Windows 10X hit a snag earlier this year. The company had originally planned to launch the operating system in 2020 with the Surface Neo, a high-end dual screen tablet, but the Surface Neo’s launch was delayed and so was Windows 10X. 

Today’s report claims Microsoft’s revised release roadmap has the operating system launching in the spring of 2021 on more standard single-screen devices. The initial batch of supported computers is expected to include mainly devices for the business market, firstline workers such as retail employees and the education sector. Additional single-screen devices, and the first batch of supported dual-screen gadgets, are expected to hit the market in the spring of 2022.

Making sure Windows 10X hits the market next year appears to be a big priority for Microsoft. The company will reportedly issue just one feature update for Windows 10 in 2021, down from two in previous years, to free up engineering resources for its new operating system variant.

Microsoft may also leave out some features from the initial Windows 10X release to help it meet the target launch date. Specifically, the initial release reportedly won’t include Microsoft’s planned container technology for running legacy Windows programs. The container technology will be needed to run older Win32-based applications, since Windows 10X reportedly will only be capable of natively running applications based on the newer UWP technology.

When it eventually hits the market, Windows 10X could create more competition for Google LLC’s Chrome OS. Chrome OS is by far the most popular laptop operating system in the education sector and has also started appearing on business-grade laptops. That Windows 10X will reportedly first arrive to business and education devices suggests Microsoft has Google’s operating system in its sights. 

Photo: Microsoft