Windows RT is a name you've probably heard of. You might even be aware that Windows 10 has a S Mode. Do you, however, have any experience with Windows Lite? There isn't much to go on right now, but Microsoft's rumored next operating system is intriguing.
In a nutshell, the speculated operating system might be
Microsoft's lightest Windows yet, meant to compete with Google's Chrome OS and
Chromebooks. It might even launch without the long-standing Windows name, and
it could power a wave of dual-screen Windows devices on the way.
Here's all we know thus far regarding Windows Lite. However,
before we proceed any further, please keep the following in mind: The Windows
Lite we're talking about is a future version of Microsoft's operating system.
It's not the unsupported stripped-down version of Windows 10 (or 12) that some
download sites offer. Installing unauthorized operating systems or patches is
not recommended by Digital Trends.
What is the difference between Windows 10 and Windows 10 Lite Edition?
Windows Lite is said to be a lite version of Windows that will be faster and more energy-efficient than earlier versions. It would apparently rely heavily on Progressive Web Programs, which function as offline apps but are operated through an online server, similar to Chrome OS. In fact, Microsoft's new Edge browser, which is based on Chromium, favors PWAs extensively.
However, similar to how Chrome OS supports Android apps,
Lite will run UWP apps from the Microsoft Store. According to reports, Lite is
meant for dual-screen devices, including the Surface Centarus, which has yet to
be announced.
Building on Microsoft's Always Connected notebooks, Windows 10 Lite Edition will supposedly turn on fast, stay connected at all times, and work with
any CPU, giving manufacturers and users a wide range of alternatives. Given
that Qualcomm CPUs have demonstrated their ability to increase battery life
above 20 hours in some laptops, we wouldn't be surprised to see one powering
Windows Lite laptops when they arrive.
According to reports, the new "Lite" OS would not
look like Windows as we know it on PCs. The platform might benefit from a new
user interface that prioritizes current form and function above outdated
support.
A previous prototype from Petri's Brad Sams revealed what
Lite would look like, revealing a clean, modern interface with the Start button
repositioned in the center of the screen. In the design, there's also a search
window that seems like it belongs on Chrome OS, with a list of suggested and
pinned apps.
Finally, it looks like Windows Lite is part of Microsoft's
Windows Core OS (WCOS) effort. Simply put, WCOS is a global base that enables
Microsoft to construct any flavor of Windows with ease. Lite was
once mentioned as part of the WCOS product portfolio (aka
Microsoft. Lite), but by June 2019, it had either been withdrawn or merged with
Centaurus into a new product called ModernPC.
If Lite proves to be real and effective, it may
theoretically put S Mode out of business, but we'll have to wait and see.
When is Windows 10 Lite going to be released?
Microsoft has made no formal disclosure on Windows Lite, with only Petri's Brad Sams claiming to know anything about it.
If traces of the new OS do a show in Windows Insider builds,
the slim OS could be well on its way to completion. Microsoft will undoubtedly
use Windows 10 S Mode and its long-rumored Core OS platform in the development
of its new operating system.
According to rumors, Windows Lite, like Chrome OS, will not
be sold separately and will only come pre-installed on specialized laptops
aimed at home and school users. It's possible that it won't be made available
to businesses.
For the time being, we don't know if or when Windows Lite will be released.
Will Windows 10 Lite Edition be the name?
The suspected operating system is currently known only as "Lite." That's how it appears in some Windows Insider builds' files, which haven't been properly cleansed of their references.
Petri's Sams believes it will be released without the
Windows logo, severing links to the decades-old platform. According to a
separate story from Windows Central, Windows Lite is internally referred to as
"Santori" inside Microsoft.
Manufacturers, on the other hand, are unable to advertise
and market their products without disclosing the underlying software. The
operating system must be given a name, and employing the Windows
the brand will almost certainly sell far more products than some
obscure name that no one has ever heard of.
However, the combination of a fully revamped user interface
and a possible name change may appeal to a huge number of users who had
previously abandoned Windows or viewed it as unduly feature-rich or lacking in
user-friendliness.
Microsoft's "Lite," or whatever they call it,
might follow in the footsteps of Chrome OS, which builds on the familiarity and
user awareness of the Chrome browser. A browser-based framework with a clean,
modern interface and a heavy dependence on web-based apps. Look no further than
the Chromium version of Edge to see where Microsoft might be going with its
Windows Lite innovation.