Microsoft announced Windows 10X back in October 2019, a brand new OS aimed at dual-screened devices, which debuted alongside the work-in-progress Surface Neo running on the new OS. However, over time, plans changed for Windows 10X as it was repurposed for single-screened devices, with the Surface Neo delayed indefinitely. Now, the new OS is reportedly targeted at low-end devices and is expected to make it to devices as early as spring 2021, with it said to reach RTM status this December.
Now, the Edge Insider downloads page lists Windows 10X under ‘other platforms’ (spotted by Windows Latest) from where users can download MSIX packages of the Insider versions of the Edge browser. These builds can be installed on the Windows 10X emulator. However, the installer fails to install the browser when trying to initiate the install on Windows 10.
@zacbowden @Sean_Michael_UK @Daniel_Rubino Microsoft Edge Windows 10X Dev branch now available and installable on the Emulator. Even takes you to a special changes page that uses the suffix "&platform=win10x" but doesn't have any unique information as of yet. pic.twitter.com/U2JkrSewSM
— Cameron Singh (@AlphaChap) November 11, 2020
Windows 10X is expected to ship without support for Win32 apps since the Redmond firm reportedly decided to strip the virtualization technology – termed VAIL – from the OS for release next year. This means that the firm will need to compile the Chromium-based Edge browser to be delivered as an MSIX package since the OS will only support UWP apps and web apps, and not traditional desktop apps. It looks like that effort is now underway, with links for not just Windows 10X, but also the HoloLens 2 – which runs a variant of Windows 10 based on the modular Core OS – now active on the downloads page.
With rumors pointing towards a December timeframe for RTM, it will be interesting to see if the company provides more information on the upcoming OS and begins testing the offering in some form with Windows Insiders. There have also been no updates on the Windows 10X emulator, which was spotted sporting for single-screened devices.
