Internal Windows 10X documentation leaks revealing new OS details
Leaked internal Microsoft documentation has revealed new details around Microsoft’s upcoming Windows 10X operating system announced earlier this month for foldable PCs. The documentation reveals minor details around some of the user experience changes and enhancements you can expect to see on Windows 10X, and also confirms what I’ve been hearing about how Windows 10X will also be made available for laptops in addition to foldables.
The internal documentaion also reveals the name of the new Start menu, which Microsoft is now calling the “Launcher” on Windows 10X: This is similar language to what’s found on Android. The new Launcher features a search bar that searches the device locally as well as OneDrive, and below that is a grid of installed apps and websites. This Start menu includes both local apps and web apps as if they were one of the same, which should streamline the experience for users.
There’s also going to be a new Action Center and Quick Actions design, which will also house many system tray elements. Visually, notifications will now be separated from the quick actions area, although they are still accessed using the same entry point on the taskbar. The taskbar is also configurable, with the user being able to have a centered taskbar like we’ve seen so far, or a left-aligned taskbar like what’s on Windows 10 today.
The documentation also reveals a list of apps Microsoft expects will be inbox with Windows 10X when it launches next year. The list includes the usual apps:
- Microsoft Edge
- Calendar
- Word
- Excel
- PowerPoint
- OneNote
- Microsoft To Do
- Microsoft Whiteboard
- Microsoft Teams
- Photos
- Microsoft Store
- UWP File Explorer
- Spotify
- Netflix
- Camera
- Solitaire
- Calculator
- Alarms & Clock
- Movies & TV
- Sticky Notes
- Weather
- Paint
- Notepad
- Snip & Sketch
- Voice Recorder
- Groove Music
- People
- Feedback Hub
- Media Plans
- Messaging
This list likely isn’t final, as apps such as Your Phone and Skype don’t appear to be listed just yet. It’s also worth mentioning that the bundled Office apps such as Word and PowerPoint will be the PWA versions wrapped in a UWP wrapper, meaning they will be native to Windows 10X. Users will of course be able to download the Win32 versions of Office if they need.
The documentation makes brief mention of a new modern File Explorer, something we’ve known about beening in the works for Windows Core OS devices for some time. While no images of the new File Explorer have leaked yet, this documentation is the first time we’ve seen it confirmed via Microsoft itself, which is nice to see. The leak also talks about a slightly updated login UI.
