What Microsoft’s ‘Next Generation Of Windows’ Tease Could Mean

During the opening keynote for its annual developer conference, Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella teased that the company is working on “the next generation of Windows” and that it’s getting ready to share more information about it “very soon.” While Nadella didn’t offer any specifics about what this next update for Windows will entail, it strongly suggests that big changes are on the way.

Windows 10 is the latest version of the platform, with the OS initially rolling out to users in July 2015. While it’s seen plenty of updates and changes in the years since then, the core Windows 10 experience has remained relatively the same. There are new features and prettier UI elements, but Windows 10 is still Windows 10. That’s far from a bad thing, but it also means that the platform is due for a big shake-up.

Microsoft has now confirmed that something is coming, though what exactly it could be is anyone’s guess. Nadella says it’s “one of the most significant updates to Windows of the past decade” and that it will “unlock greater economic opportunity for developers and creators.” Nadella goes on to confirm that he’s been using this version of Windows “over the past several months” — and that’s about it. It’s the epitome of a tease if there’s ever been one, but even with that lack of information, there’s still room to speculate as to what the next generation of Windows could look like.

The Next Generation Of Windows Could Mean Anything

One possible focus for this new version of Windows is believed to be the Windows Store. The Windows Store of today is very limited when it comes to the apps and games that are available, leading a lot of users to ignore it. However, rumors have suggested that Microsoft is planning to let virtually any piece of software be submitted to the Windows Store — thus greatly increasing the content available on it. This is also reinforced by other comments from Nadella, where he says, “we [Microsoft] will create more opportunity for every Windows developer today and welcome every creator who is looking for the most innovative, new, and open platform to build and distribute and monetize applications.”

It’s also very likely that this Windows update will include a heap of interface changes. Windows Central reported in October 2020 that Microsoft was working on something called ‘Sun Valley’ that would “reinvigorate” the Windows 10 experience with new features, animations, and other improved UI elements. Hints of this have already been seen throughout 2021, with Microsoft updating Windows 10 with a revamped taskbar and new app icons.

While there’s no set date for when the next generation of Windows will be announced, it shouldn’t be too much longer. Nadella says more information is coming “very soon,” suggesting fans won’t have to wait too terribly long for additional details. Whenever that announcement comes, expect it to be a big one.

Source: Microsoft

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Joe Maring
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Joe has been actively writing and talking about consumer tech since 2012. His biggest passion lies with smartphones, but he’s happy to talk your ear off about just about anything with a CPU. He lives in Kalamazoo, MI with his wife, two cats, and pit bull/boxer mix.

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