Microsoft hopes to launch Windows 10X later this year

The first Windows 10X PCs should begin shipping in the second half of 2021.

What you need to know

• Microsoft is expected to ship Windows 10X later this year.
• The platform will launch first on low-cost educational and enterprise PCs.

Microsoft has remained incredibly tight-lipped regarding its plans for Windows 10X. After announcing that the platform would be shifting strategy from dual-screen to single-screen PCs, the company has gone silent about when or what to expect from Windows 10X when it launches.

Microsoft told Windows Central back in May that it was hoping to have Windows 10X start shipping on its first single-screen PCs in the first half of this year. For Microsoft to be able to do this, the company would need to sign-off on a shipping build of Windows 10X in December, but that didn't happen.

According to my sources, earlier this year the company decided to push the launch of Windows 10X back a bit more to ensure the product is ready and robust for a smooth release. I believe Microsoft is now aiming to sign-off on a shipping build of Windows 10X in late spring, and hopes to have the first single-screen PCs begin shipping later in the second half of this year.

When asked for comment, Microsoft told Windows Central that it has nothing to share.

Some may wonder if this extra development time will enable the company to add back local Win32 app support; a feature it removed as the company refocused the product on low-end PCs. I'm told that local Win32 app support will still not be part of Windows 10X at launch, as the company will be pushing Windows Virtual Desktop and Cloud PC as streaming solutions for legacy apps instead.

Windows 10X is still targeting low-cost educational and enterprise focused PCs. As far as I'm aware, the Windows 10X launch this year won't really focus on consumer devices. Instead, existing Windows 10 PCs will be getting the big Sun Valley update that is rumored to add new features and modern user experiences in an attempt to rejuvenate the Windows Desktop.

Assuming there are no further delays, Windows 10X should begin shipping in the second half of this year. It will be very interesting to see which platform takes the spotlight, as Microsoft will be launching Sun Valley in close proximity. What are your thoughts on Windows 10 and Windows 10X? Let us know in the comments.