14 DAY TRIAL // Windows RT was Microsoft’s first attempt to launch a Windows version limited to the Windows Store (now called Microsoft Store), and this project failed mostly because of the lack of universal apps and support from OEMs.
The software giant gave another try to this idea with the release of Windows 10 S, which is essentially a modern version of Windows RT, but with many more apps in the Microsoft Store, and more importantly, with support for upgrading to Windows 10 Pro for customers who want to make the switch.
Windows 10 S appears to be just the beginning of a more complex plan that includes a new version of the operating system codenamed Polaris and which could see daylight next year.
With Windows Polaris, what Microsoft wants to do is offer a lightweight version of Windows 10 that would essentially be aimed at users who don’t do the typical power user stuff like working with Win32 software such as Photoshop, but spend most of the time browsing, emailing, or watching media.
Apps for such basic activities are already available in the Microsoft Store or offered by the company itself, and WindowsCentral notes that in order to make this OS version as light as possible, Microsoft will remove Win32 support entirely. This means Polaris would lack the more advanced functionality that you find in the current full version of Windows 10, focusing instead of delivering a fast, seamless, and secure experience to the average Joe.
To launch in 2019
Mostly aimed to compete against the likes of iOS and ChromeOS, which do offer such capabilities based on their own ecosystems, Polaris would still allow users to run Win32 support with virtualization. This means Microsoft could hit two birds with one stone and still enable Win32 (if absolutely needed) but without including the legacy Win32 code.
The idea does make sense given that there are plenty of consumers who don’t use their computers for anything else than browsing the web or chatting, and this way Microsoft could have a dedicated version of Windows for them without deploying the more advanced and complex features that they don’t need and sometimes, don’t even know they exist.
Polaris could see daylight in 2019, but Microsoft has already started work on its foundation. One such example is the migration of options from the Control Panel to the Settings app.
It’ll be interesting to see how Polaris takes shape, but in the meantime, Microsoft should continue its focus on the app gap. There are apps missing from the Microsoft Store, and without Win32 support, many users would be entirely lost on such a Windows version.