Microsoft is Creating Windows Lite For dual-screen and Chromebook-like Devices, Report Says (theverge.com)

Microsoft is working on a new lightweight version of Windows to power dual-screen devices and Chromebook competitors, according to a new report. The Verge: Sources familiar with Microsoft's plans tell The Verge that the software maker is stripping back its Windows user interface with dual screens in mind. This new hardware could launch as early as later this year, depending on chip and PC maker readiness. "Windows Lite," as it's codenamed internally, is a more stripped-down version of Windows that is initially being prioritized for dual-screen devices. Intel has been pushing OEMs to create this new hardware category, and machines could appear much like Microsoft's Courier concept, dual-screen laptops, or even foldable displays in the future. Either way, Microsoft wants Windows to be ready for PC makers to take advantage of it.

Comments

ChromeBook

[darkain]

For those curious, this isn't intended to be a desktop/laptop replacement, it is intended to be a ChromeBook competitor in the low-end, cheap, managed device department for schools. For those claiming "i want control", just look at the success of Google's ChromeBook. Microsoft isn't ditching the traditional OS, this is just for an alternative market sector.

Re:ChromeBook

[MightyMartian]

In other words, it's to operating systems what Zune was to MP3 players.

Re:ChromeBook

[squiggleslash]

The odd thing is they're doing it at the same time as Google is going in the opposite direction with ChromeOS. I'm running LibreOffice and Atom on my Chromebook, having installed them myself, without needing to put the device in developers mode, thanks to Crostini.

Something tells me this "light GUI" version of Windows isn't going to let you spin up a sandboxed fully integrated Windows VM to run whatever applications you want.

Better be able to run everything Windows does..

[kimgkimg]

Please don't be another Windows RT/Windows Phone.

Re: How are they going to do this

[Anonymous Coward]

Text only. But Cortana continuously describing everything you would be seeing on the full version.

Re:How are they going to do this

[Joce640k]

You can bet none of the "telemetry" has been removed.

Re:For PC games?

[DarkRookie2]

The 'Gaming Edition' would only allow you to run games from their Store.
No Steam. No GoG. No Origin. No uPlay. No games really. Unless you like GoW or Forza I guess.