Thursday, March 30th 2023
Microsoft Aims to Modernize its Upcoming Windows 12 with Modular Design
Insider sources at Microsoft have spoken of continued efforts to modernize the core of its operating system, with the work-in-progress Windows 12 cited as the ideal candidate for substantial updates. The engineering team is reported to be integrating a modular design, which will allow for a reduced operating system footprint - similar in principle to ChromeOS. According to a Windows Report article the operating system development team is hard at work on a spiritual successor to the abandoned Windows Core OS project. Their newest effort is reported to be called "Windows CorePC" and Microsoft is aiming to hit the same goals it set for its Windows 10X edition, which was cancelled in mid-2021, but they will also target native support for legacy applications on devices that require necessary access.
Windows Core OS was shutdown after years of development and internal testing - it was hoped that a modular Universal Windows Platform-first (UWP-F) operating system would be more lightweight and gain stronger security features, as well as greater access to regular updates. The inside sources stated that Windows Core OS will not be developed any further, at least not for desktop computer purposes. The Microsoft team is anticipating that its new CorePC project will lead onto new configurations of Windows that feature a capability of scaling up and down depending on hardware variations. Windows PCs and devices, in some user case scenarios, do not require full breadth of legacy Win32 application support. CorePC will enable different configurations of Windows to be installed on a custom basis.
Current versions of Windows operate via an unseparated state platform, this means that the entire system is installed into a single writable partition - which contains system files, user data, and program files. The aim of CorePC is to keep several states separated - this enables faster updates and improved security via read-only partitions that are inaccessible to the user and third-party apps. iPadOS and Android operate in such a fashion, where their operating systems are split up over multiple partitions. State separation is said to provide faster and more reliable system reset performance.
Microsoft is also said to be upgrading the next generation version of Windows with AI-powered features. This experimental silicon-optimized version will allow for reduce legacy overhead, focus on AI capabilities, and vertically optimize hardware and software user experiences. This lines up nicely with Microsoft's already announced plans to boost AI-based features in 2024. Is Microsoft's virtual assistant, Cortana, due for a couple of AI-powered upgrades?
Source:
Windows Central
Windows Core OS was shutdown after years of development and internal testing - it was hoped that a modular Universal Windows Platform-first (UWP-F) operating system would be more lightweight and gain stronger security features, as well as greater access to regular updates. The inside sources stated that Windows Core OS will not be developed any further, at least not for desktop computer purposes. The Microsoft team is anticipating that its new CorePC project will lead onto new configurations of Windows that feature a capability of scaling up and down depending on hardware variations. Windows PCs and devices, in some user case scenarios, do not require full breadth of legacy Win32 application support. CorePC will enable different configurations of Windows to be installed on a custom basis.
47 Comments on Microsoft Aims to Modernize its Upcoming Windows 12 with Modular Design
They've been beating to death "modern"... for so long now modernizing modern is the new phrase :kookoo:
I think this is a great idea. There's been many an occasion in my career of installing full-blown, feature-rich Windows installation when I only needed it to do one or two simple actions. That's a lot of resources to dedicate. I hope it works out.
Well some annoying things about 10 are gone but 11 is annoying in many other ways lol
I don't think if ms hard blocked bypassing requirements I would not miss it.
If Win12 wants its modularity to be worth jack shit, they might want to make something like Bash a standard. If we could run basic scripts with ease in a CLI, the modularity angle would make more sense.
No, Powershell really doesn't cut it.
Hell I'm waiting for startallback/... to go subscription to frankly seeing they're getting a workout keeping up to date with 11 changes then what happens to 11 usage numbers lol
Yeah, I'm not liking the smell of this one, like at all. The reason android/ios and their ilk uses read-only system images is hardly security, it's mainly user control and limited rw cycles on the flash.
The crap Windows 11 is is still wet and they already talk about 12? I might really need to start learning Linux.
I knew it wasn't going to get better so I started using Linux and haven't looked back in terms of a "Modern" OS.
The two Linux distros that I personally can name that's similar to Windows are Mint and Peppermint, both are really good for those making the change and it's useage can be picked up easily by just about anyone.
As for the next Windows version, they can keep it - I'm doing just fine with Linux.
With the exception of Windows 10 to Windows 11, there has been a 2-3 year release cycle in the last 16 years. Windows 12 development/release is on target.
I hope Microsoft address two things, one is bring back the start menu from Windows 10.
Second address performance issue since it is known that VBS cripple performance
which there are articles about it.
Windows 7 was a good platform. Windows 11 is a spyware infested bloatfest.Yup. This is what the "modularity" will achieve, MS is already talking about invisible partitions that cannot be accessed locally. The "modularity" will allow MS even more control over your device and account, not benefit you in any way.
We can monetise many features taken for granted, like the scumbags BMW with their cars and having to pay to unlock heated seats and the like.
PCI-E 5 support, that'll be an extra $20, hybrid cpu's another $50, access to the registry $5, 10GB-E $20, DirectStorage $10
This is what has always plagued Windows since way back....they are so scared to let go of the past and design a truly NEW, forward-facing OS...and the longer they keep building in legacy-based code & features, the more the old timers will continue to insist that they are available....
IMHO, if you STILL need 32 bit anything, then you deserve to get left in the past, to rot in da dust like a prehistoric toy....
We just abandon all the software we have today because "muh legacy" and hope the same programmers that make windows a mess today will magically un-mess it? Like they did windows phone? Or windows ARM? Windows S?
Why, in your perfect world, would anyone bother using the new windows when everything has to be built out of new standards? That would be suicide for MS. We've seen how well linux has caught on with the mainstream without legacy support.
I am actually very pissed that Apple did remove 32 bit support.
I think my w12 will be called Mint or something ;)
I see this idea of "modularization" with some suspicion but it can also be good. Though it's ripe with possibilities to add undesirable bloat vendor modules like what happens with Android/iOS, it might also mean the server and consumer versions will get closer and it will be easier to debloat and/or have server stuff in a prosumer build (like when they unified the consumer and professional/server version development back in the XP days instead of doing two different operating systems).
It may also be an opportunity for Microsoft to charge prosumers for extra features, but hey, a lot of us are ready to pay for ltsc if given the chance - just don't force candy crush down our throats now that you might be getting activision
Of topic but I just realized that Microsoft buying Activision means they no longer will receive money from them to push crap like Candy Crush into everyones computer, it's something I guess :ohwell:
Better multi-monitor support is the one thing I'd like backported to Win 10 and the rest can burn for all I care, start menu and context menu in particular.
Microsoft if your're reading this: stop messing with the start menu. I'll take a customisable menu over a "smart" one any day.
If Win 12 is modular in the meaning that all the bloatware can be uninstalled or preferably be optional to install then Win 12 will be my next OS.