Microsoft will soon reveal their next generation of Windows at an upcoming press event later this month. Here is what we know so far about Microsoft's new version of Windows.
The upcoming press event is scheduled for June 24th and coincides with a public webcast of the live Windows reveal at 11 AM EST.
Way back in 2015, Microsoft's developer evangelist Jerry Nixon stated that Windows 10 is the last version of Windows:
"Right now we're releasing Windows 10, and because Windows 10 is the last version of Windows, we're all still working on Windows 10." - Jerry Nixon.
However, as pointed out by Microsoft watcher Mary Jo Foley and highlighted by Rich Woods on Twitter, Microsoft has never publicly said in plain words that Windows 10 is the last version of the Windows operating system.
Only one developer evangelist gave the statement. However, the Microsoft PR team never denied it.
In fact, Microsoft is slowly dropping hints that suggest Windows 11 is around the corner. For example, the company recently uploaded 11 minutes long relaxing music video on YouTube, which shows off sunlight passing through the Windows logo to form the number '11' on the surface.
At the moment, we don't know what the company has in store for us and whether the update is going to be called "Windows 11", but it's safe to assume that it will be based on the long rumoured Windows Sun Valley design, which was recently confirmed in a Microsoft documentation.
It's also possible that Microsoft will drop the numbers and start using geographic location names like Sun Valley for Windows updates.
Windows 11 features
Here's a list of rumoured and expected features, arriving later this year with Windows 11 "Sun Valley" update:
Design improvements
Windows 11 update will improve the legacy apps and features of the operating system. On the surface, we're expecting Windows to appear more modern with consistent design language, at least for first-party apps. For example, Microsoft will update file Explorer with dark mode support for the popup menus (properties tab, etc.).
However, it appears that the company will not replace File Explorer with a modern version. Instead, the plan is to service the existing Explorer and update it with new icons, rounded corners, and dark mode.
Microsoft is using WinUI, modern controls, styles to improve the overall experience. WinUI is not a replacement for Fluent Design, and it is supposed to enhance the overall experience by enabling support for the same UI elements everywhere (legacy and modern).
Windows Sun Valley update is built on top of the Fluent Design, which means Fluent Design is not going away.
On Github, we've already seen new design ideas for app buttons, elements, ListView, buttons, sliders, etc.
New animations, gestures
As you can see in the above GIF, Microsoft has been working on a new animation for closing/opening windows. This new animation will apply to all apps and windows by default.
File Explorer
Windows Sun Valley will update File Explorer with new icons, rounded corners, and dark mode improvements.
As you can see in the below GIF, Microsoft is spacing out the items, columns, and rows in File Explorer. These changes will help users with touchscreen, and they can easily interact with files without switching to tablet mode.
Microsoft previously said that the new File Explorer is designed for better consistency with modern (XAML) experiences, and it doesn't require tablet mode. At the moment, it appears that the tablet experience will be enabled by default, which means you can try out the new layout when you're using the desktop mode (normal experience).
Users can always switch to the old layout called "Compact mode."
In addition, there'll be some nifty improvements. For example, the Extract All option for OneDrive files is being introduced. This option shows up when you right-click on a zipped OneDrive file that was set to online-only.
The second new nifty addition is support for CTRL + Left / Right arrow when renaming files. This lets you move your cursor between words in the file name, as well as CTRL + Delete and CTRL + Backspace to delete words at a time, like other apps and tools in Windows.
Windows Camera Settings
Microsoft is introducing a new Camera Settings page for advanced users to help them manage the existing cameras, add/remove cameras and configure the default image settings of each one.
This new Settings page can be found at Settings > Devices > Camera, and users can use it to configure the default image settings,
As you can see in the above screenshot, this page can be used to change the brightness and contrast.
Display Settings
Microsoft is adding a new option to the Settings app that will allow you to turn off the content-adaptive brightness control (CABC) feature. For those unaware, the CABC feature is used by OEMs like Dell and Lenovo to improve battery performance on PCs, but it comes at the cost of image quality.
In some configurations, it can result in distracting brightness changes.
Starting with the Sun Valley update, you can turn off the feature by navigating to the Display Settings page.
Battery usage
Windows Sun Valley also includes a redesigned 'Battery' settings page with detailed graphs to help users understand how their laptop/notebook uses the battery.
Once enabled, the graphs will appear within the same settings app and users can see their laptop's battery level throughout the day.
Likewise, you can also open the bar graph view to better understand the battery usage over the past seven days.
HDR support for color managed apps
Microsoft is enabling support for HDR mode in apps creative and artistic apps that use International Color Consortium (ICC) display color profiles. This includes Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Lightroom Classic, and CorelDraw.
This feature will allow your favorite apps to get accurate color and access the full gamut of your HDR display.
New system font
Microsoft is also working on a new Segoe UI Variable that includes an optical axis and allows the font outlines to scale seamlessly from small to larger display sizes. The feature is called "Segoe UI Variable," and Microsoft says it is a refreshed take on the classic Segoe.
In theory, it comes with improved legibility for small sizes and much improved outlines at display sizes. It also fixes issues on different form factors and resolutions by enabling support for a new feature that can dynamically offer excellent legibility at very small sizes and style at large sizes.
A new option under the Power menu on the Start menu
Microsoft has enabled support for a new option within the Power menu on the Start menu to help you restart apps after signing in when you reboot your device.
This setting is based on the existing "Restart apps" feature, so it's technically not a new feature. This option is currently offered under Settings > Accounts > Sign-in options > Restart apps in Windows 10 May 2020 Update (20H1) or newer.
Virtual desktops
Sun Valley will also ship with some much-needed multitasking improvements. Microsoft is also on new features for Windows 10's virtual desktop to keep your open apps and projects organized in their own desktops.
The problem with virtual desktops is that we cannot reorganize the order of virtual desktops or use unique wallpapers for each virtual desktops. Likewise, it's also not possible to maintain different virtual desktops for two monitors.
With the Sun Valley update, Microsoft is introducing three new features for virtual desktops - the ability to reorder (change the position of each virtual desktop), customize the backgrounds for all your virtual desktops, and support for multi-monitor setup.
To reorder the desktops, follow these steps:
- Create multiple new Virtual Desktops.
- Drag and drop a Virtual Desktop to another position.
- Right-click a Virtual Desktop thumbnail in task view and select “Move left” or “Move right” in the context menu. This will change the order of all virtual desktops.
If you want to change the background of the virtual desktops, follow these steps:
- Open Settings > Personalization > Background.
- Right-click a background and apply it to a specific Virtual Desktop.
Once you’ve selected the background, changes will apply instantly, and you’ll see your new background when you switch to the virtual desktop.
New Clipboard
You can now use the clipboard history manager (Win + V) to insert emojis and GIFs.
In addition to these new fancy features, you will now see a “Paste as plain text” option alongside pin and delete. This will allow you to paste the text content of the clipboard without its original formatting (font, color, size etc.),
New DNS over HTTPS (DoH) feature
DNS over HTTPS (DoH) is a new feature that will allow DNS resolution over encrypted HTTPS connections, and it aims to protect your browsing privacy from outsiders.
"If you haven’t been waiting for it, and are wondering what DoH is all about, then be aware this feature will change how your device connects to the Internet and is in an early testing stage so only proceed if you’re sure you’re ready," Microsoft explained DoH in a blog post published last year.
In preview, you can test the feature and configure DoH for ethernet connections by following these steps:
- Open Settings > Network & Internet > Status.
- Click Properties.
- Select Edit IP assignment or Edit DNS server assignment.
New DNS over HTTPS (DoH) feature - Enable DoH in the popup.
To configure DoH for Wi-Fi connections, follow these steps:
- Open Settings > Network & Internet > Wi-Fi.
- Click the adapter properties link.
- Select Edit IP assignment or Edit DNS server assignment.
- Enable DoH in the popup.
For more detailed information, see our article on how DoH works on Windows 10.
Modern disk management in Settings
Microsoft is migrating legacy apps or tools into modern versions found in the Settings. For example, the Settings app is getting the new Disk Management tool, which aims to simplify the disk management process and manage your disks and volumes without using the legacy tool.
'Manage Disks and Volumes' utility supports better integration with the Storage Spaces and Storage Settings. The disk management tool has been rewritten, and it will initially allow you to view disk information, create and format volumes, and assign drive letters.
To access this new tool, you need to go to Settings > System > Storage and click Manage Disks and Volumes.
For more detailed information, see our article on the new Disk Management tool.
Improved GPU performance
Microsoft is giving users greater control over multiple GPUs when running apps in Windows 10.
On devices with two GPUs, Windows 10 will use integrated one as a power-saving GPU and the discrete graphics card as a high-performance GPU. This setting will be configured automatically based on your device.
You can also go to the Graphics settings under Settings > Display > Graphics Settings and specify whether an app should use the high-performance or power-saving GPU.
For more information, please read our article on GPU controls in Windows 10.
Improved Sound Device Settings
You can now set default speakers by navigating to Settings > System > Sound. The same page has been updated with a link to the per-app sound screen in the classic Volume Mixer.
Windows 10X features coming to Windows 10
Microsoft has confirmed that Windows 10X is on the backburner and they'll be bringing Windows 10X technologies to Windows 10.
Microsoft believes that the technology developed for Windows 10X can be used on Windows 10 to help more users and it doesn't make sense to limit the innovations to select customers.
"We concluded that the 10X technology shouldn’t just be confined to a subset of customers," the company said.
As reported by us recently, Windows 10X features have already started appearing in the preview builds. For example, we recently spotted references to Windows 10X-like Action Center and Microsoft's new app container technology for services like Microsoft Defender Application Guard and Sandbox.
Likewise, Microsoft is also working on a new Voice Typing experience, which was previously exclusive to Windows 10X.
After this announcement, the future of Windows 10X is uncertain, and it may never see the light of the day.
Other changes in this update
Sun Valley update will also classify more apps as 'Inbox apps,'. Apps like Windows Terminal will be automatically installed in Windows 10.
After the update, users will find Windows Terminal and Power Automate Desktop installed automatically. In fact, users can soon replace their command-line tool with Terminal on Windows 10.
Furthermore, Notepad and these apps will be updated via the Microsoft Store, outside the normal Windows updates.
How to test these new features now
If you're a member of the Windows Insider Program (join it from Microsoft's website), you can try some of the Sun Valley or Windows 11 features by joining the Dev Channel:
- Open Start menu.
- Click on Cog icon to access Settings.
- Navigate to Update & Security > Windows Insider Program or simply search 'Windows Insider program settings' on Cortana to skip the navigation steps.
- Click Get Started on Windows Insider page.
- Link your Microsoft account (Email should be the one that you used earlier to sign up for Insider program).
- Select "Dev Channel".
- Reboot.
- Check for updates and download the update.
Comments
Mallissin - 2 years ago
"New File Explorer compact mode" already exists, you just right click and Minimize the Ribbon.
Shplad - 2 years ago
I really don't understand why they make many dialog boxes/menus with more text and less graphical parts. This is progress?
Leave Disk Management the way it was. It was great the way it was.
fromFirefoxToVivaldi - 2 years ago
Aside from all the "brilliant" changes mentioned in the article, I wouldn't be surprised if Windows 11 is subscription only. They probably expected a lot of revenue from Microsoft Store when they gave 10 away, but might have made relatively little.
They are IMHO likely to also enforce Microsoft accounts even more thoroughly, especially on Home versions and add more telemetry.
All in all, I don't expect anything good.
SamP12345 - 2 years ago
Subscription is coming everywhere apparently. In TopGear magazine, it claims that car manufactures are considering subscription options to enhance the car. The way they put, is that, its £30 a month for extra speed, £20 for driverless software, with a £5 upgrade in the software to make it 'pushier' (overtake more), £15 for more control over the seating options, etc.
According to another article I read (I forgot where), the future for business is turning customers into subscribers - you can now subscribe to clothing delivery's, food, and everything else.
I also think that Windows, at some point, will have subscriber options, but also buy once options (like, for example, Word now). However, I would be surprised if it happens within the next few years; every other OS is not subscription based and they will lose what base they still have .
dogood76 - 2 years ago
"Subscription is coming everywhere apparently. In TopGear magazine, it claims that car manufactures are considering subscription options to enhance the car. The way they put, is that, its £30 a month for extra speed, £20 for driverless software, with a £5 upgrade in the software to make it 'pushier' (overtake more), £15 for more control over the seating options, etc.
According to another article I read (I forgot where), the future for business is turning customers into subscribers - you can now subscribe to clothing delivery's, food, and everything else.
I also think that Windows, at some point, will have subscriber options, but also buy once options (like, for example, Word now). However, I would be surprised if it happens within the next few years; every other OS is not subscription based and they will lose what base they still have ."
"...and they will lose what base they still have" - yeah, like they lost their base with Windows 10 snooping -- I mean, telemetry, etc. This is pure fantasy; people are sheep.
mynameisgod - 2 years ago
That is precisely why I will never buy a Tesla.
As for Windows, I will give it a chance, but at the first sign of subscription or forced login to Microsoft Account, it goes straight to the trash can.
We are now 2/3 done migrating all of our backend servers to Linux. And it's all because of this Microsoft bullshit. It's a shame because I love Windows and I've spent my whole adult life developing software for it.
I will ride a donkey to work before I buy a car that forces some subscription on me.
cjgiam - 2 years ago
Everything I read & heard (some of it absolutely coming out Redmond, Washington) was that Windows 10 was positively the last version of windows. There would be build updates twice a year, but no new versions.
My thoughts at the time was that they were setting up for subscription OS's, same as they were pushing for & have since dominated with Office 365.
Regretfully, I'm betting that's where they're heading with this new version.
TanyaC - 2 years ago
Certainly seems subscriptions are on the horizon even though they vehemently denied it at the time. I see nothing compelling in the list of changes to make me want to upgrade.
I wish they'd spend more time on stability and less time on "warm and fuzzy" UI. Perhaps the mentality is "if it looks good people will tolerate the atrocious performance"
fromFirefoxToVivaldi - 2 years ago
On the other hand it might be a blessing in disguise. If they focus on Windows 11 from now on they'll stop ruining what's left from Windows 7 in Windows 10.
Amigo-A - 2 years ago
They used to draw "9" too, but released "10".
If there are 11 and 12 versions, then it will be clear to everyone that Microsoft always lies and does not keep its word that Windows 10 will be the last.
---
Moreover, after the release of 11 and 12 versions, Microsoft will again be afraid of the 13th version and will release v.14, 15, 16 ... :)
Wolverine 7 - 2 years ago
They,ll probably release it on the 11th of the 11th 21,and have a big party where lady gaga does the music,..on a positive note,..we get more little animations,..there's always a silver lining,..:-)
davidil28 - 2 years ago
"Windows 11 may be unveiled next week — Here's what we know" This is what I know, is going to be sh*te hehe.
JohnC_21 - 2 years ago
Animations = useless eye candy
Modern Disk Management = garbage
I wouldn't be surprised if eventually Microsoft only allowed installs from the Windows Store.
megakotaro - 2 years ago
I don't care it's Windows 11 or Windows 10 Sun Valley. If Microsoft uses the same way to test windows update, it will always be a disaster.
Orange14 - 2 years ago
I'll hold my powder until I see what it really looks like. With the disclosure that I am a MSFT shareholder, I am ambivalent about the subscription model. I would rather see them crack down on gray market keys and enforce MSFT trusted re-sellers to do the right thing. I don't understand the reluctance of people to pay retail price for Win 10. they will spend lots of money on the latest games but ignore the fact that when you look at the cost of Win 10 Pro over a period of time, it's really cheap. If they do a subscription model, would $20/year break anybody's bank account?
I link to my MSFT account so that doesn't bother me.
fromFirefoxToVivaldi - 2 years ago
At $20/year I'd definitely drop Windows. I'd stick to my 10 for gaming and use Mint for everything else.
code999 - 2 years ago
I would not pay $0.01/year. the point is I do not want subs. if everything is going to subs that is very bad for peoples wallet. think of it, how many devices or products do you buy a year? I do agree on subs for things that make sense, like Netflix, Disney+ etc.. because that is not a product.
Dominique1 - 2 years ago
The problem with Win10 is that all releases have a best-before date. Unlike Win7 users, eventually every Win10 users will HAVE TO switch to Win11 as they no longer have the choice not to upgrade.
code999 - 2 years ago
Windows 11 is the door to subs and MS will make it happen with this version. I am almost 100% on Linux but because for gaming Linux is not there YET(but will be) I use Windows for gaming. So dual boot for now. Linux has alternatives for many programs just have to look for it and Linux's look and feel is getting to Windows more and more without the BS that MS brings.