Leak reveals Windows 10X – a new operating system for dual-screen devices

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With virtualized desktop apps

Microsoft Surface
(Image credit: Future)

There has been talk for some time about a new version of Windows 10, which has until now been referred to as Windows Lite, but a new leak suggests that the operating system could in fact be called Windows 10X, and it could be destined for used on dual-screen devices.

The news comes courtesy of serial – and reliable – leaker, Evan Blass, who took to Twitter to share images of unreleased Surface devices. In addition to renders said to depict the Surface Pro 7, 13- and 15-inch Surface Laptop 3 models, and an AMD-powered device, his tweets also make reference to Windows 10X.

Blass says that Windows 10X is "designed for dual- and folding- screen devices", and "runs desktop applications in containers". This could mean that virtualization is used to stream apps over the internet so they do not have to be installed in the traditional way.

Evan Blass tweet

(Image credit: Evan Blass)

It could also be that Windows 10X apps will take a different form and the OS could use a different file system, meaning that desktop apps have to be virtualized in order for them to run. A lack of support for traditional Win32 software was one of the things that ultimately killed off Windows RT, but by opting for virtualization, Microsoft could have found a way around the problem.

Centaurus unveiled?

Later today Microsoft is holding a Surface launch event, and it is at this we will find out how many of the rumours we've heard are true. Announcements about the Surface Laptop 3 and Surface Pro 7 are all but a given, but Microsoft is also thought to have a dual-screen Surface up its sleeve.

The company is said to have been working on a project codenamed Centaurus, which is a dual-screen Surface that lives a double life as a tablet and a laptop.

As today is the day of the event, we don't have long to wait to hear confirmation – or otherwise – direct from Microsoft, and we'll have all of the latest updates here on TechRadar.

Via The Verge

Sofia Elizabella Wyciślik-Wilson
Sofia Elizabella Wyciślik-Wilson
Freelance writer

Sofia is a tech journalist who's been writing about software, hardware and the web for nearly 25 years – but still looks as youthful as ever! After years writing for magazines, her life moved online and remains fueled by technology, music and nature.

Having written for websites and magazines since 2000, producing a wide range of reviews, guides, tutorials, brochures, newsletters and more, she continues to write for diverse audiences, from computing newbies to advanced users and business clients. Always willing to try something new, she loves sharing new discoveries with others.

Sofia lives and breathes Windows, Android, iOS, macOS and just about anything with a power button, but her particular areas of interest include security, tweaking and privacy. Her other loves include walking, music, her two Malamutes and, of course, her wife and daughter.

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