Microsoft's Chrome OS competitor Windows Lite could ditch live tiles, streamline Start...

[mongeese]

Forward-looking: Rumors that Microsoft has been developing a simplified and locked down version of Windows for budget devices have been surfacing for a while now. First, the name “Windows Lite” was spotted in a Windows 10 SDK, and then reporter Brad Sams claimed he’d discussed it with Microsoft employees. Now it seems that in addition to structural changes, Windows Lite will also get an aesthetic change that includes dropping live tiles.

According to sources that spoke with Windows Central, Windows Lite will feature a static app launcher in place of Windows 10’s Start menu, much like Chrome OS, Android and iOS. This means that Windows Lite will likely drop support of Live Tiles, a current Windows 10 feature that lets apps stream information in the place of its icon, like live weather information or how much unread email you have.

Microsoft apparently has two reasons for cutting the feature: first, no one was using it. Very few users open the start menu to look at live tiles and this means that even major apps aren't focused on taking advantage of the feature. Second, the overall design language of Windows Lite will be simpler to reduce system requirements, and redesigning the Start menu is part of that.

As shown in the concept image above, Windows Lite is likely to be more colorful and bring back some of the soft curves and comfortable feel of Windows 7. It’ll also bring back smooth performance on budget systems. Like Google’s Chrome OS, it is expected that Windows Lite will be designed for systems which may only have 32GB of storage or 2GB of RAM.

To accomplish this feat Windows Lite may exclusively use Progressive Web Apps, which are apps that are built on a web browser, and Universal Windows Platform apps, which are meant to work on any Microsoft operating system from Windows 10 Mobile to Xbox. This will limit Windows Lite to just the Microsoft Store, but it will save on storage and provide a decent Windows on ARM experience.

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https://www.techspot.com/news/78451-microsoft-chrome-os-competitor-windows-lite-could-ditch.html

 

[ET3D]

That Internet Explorer icon... In fact, all these apps... I think this mockup is mocking us.

As for Windows Lite, Microsoft is a step behind Google. Google made available the large selection of Android app to Chrome OS users, and Microsoft is limiting users to what's on the app store.

Anyway, what I'd really like to see is Windows Lite on Xbox. Let users use Xbox One with a desktop interface, with keyboard and mouse, instead of only a TV interface.

 

[Kaj Hansen]

This in theory could a great addition, but I fear it'll be focussed on getting you to use the dreaded Microsoft store like google's playstore. Maybe it's an incentive for Microsoft to improve that side of Windows. If only they'd understand that a smooth user friendly, not too commercial store would make all the difference in the world.

 

[bas416]

Madness is when you keep repeating the same thing and expect a different result?

 

[fps4ever]

Getting rid of "live tiles"...thank goodness. I wish the full version Win 10 had a toggle to turn it off.

 

[Uncle Al]

I think they might have finally seen the light .... or at least run into it with their cane .......

 

[avioza]

If it supports modern processor infrastructure and allows local installs, I'm all for it.

 

[Alberico]

Madness is when you keep repeating the same thing and expect a different result?

Indeed, Windows RT tanked. They already have Windows 10 S-mode for locked version, I thought last year M$ developed lite to be x64/x32 compatible for low end tablets (16gb) almost like Core OS (you add what you need)

 

[Evernessince]

If only this wasn't for ARM and mobile only. They don't realize how many regular windows users would like a lighter OS like this.

 

[Arris]

Getting rid of "live tiles"...thank goodness. I wish the full version Win 10 had a toggle to turn it off.

I just hit start and type the first few letters of what I'm looking for, I ignore the tiles pretty much.

 

[fps4ever]

I just hit start and type the first few letters of what I'm looking for, I ignore the tiles pretty much.

If you are doing that then why hit start? Just have search on the taskbar. People use their OS in different ways.

 

[Arris]

If you are doing that then why hit start? Just have search on the taskbar. People use their OS in different ways.

Start sets focus on the search bar if you have search on your task bar as it is as default in Window 10.

 

[fps4ever]

Start sets focus on the search bar if you have search on your task bar as it is as default in Window 10.

Yes its the same thing but a different way to do it. See how people use the OS in different ways? Some people like to type and others like to click on icons. Choice like a toggle switch is a good thing.

 

[hwertz]

Already been said, but this is sheer madness if true. Microsoft ALREADY has tried crippled versions of Windows 8 that only ran UWP and web apps (Win RT) -- failed. They tried a similar thing with Win10 (Win10 for phone and the like) -- failed. They tried Windows 10S (which is not restricted to UWP apps, but restricted to apps from Microsoft store) -- failed to the point that Microsoft offered a full upgrade from Win 10S to Windows 10 Home to be able to even sell the systems already in the warehouse with Win10S on them.

Fact of the matter is, Windows' main competitive advantage now is simply the momentum of having a large install base, large base of existing software (both old and current), and large number of developers. Microsoft REALLY wants to push UWP since it allows ditching large amounts of, lets call it legacy baggage. But UWP has no existing software or developer base; the market has spoken, Windows without it's competitive advantages is simply not competitive.

 

[IAMTHESTIG]

Windows 7.1?

 

[bas416]

Indeed, Windows RT tanked. They already have Windows 10 S-mode for locked version, I thought last year M$ developed lite to be x64/x32 compatible for low end tablets (16gb) almost like Core OS (you add what you need)

Plus we will have the crippled Win10 for ARM with that nonsense x86 emulation stuck on 32 bits… Maybe they can get real high and do Win10 ARM with UWP only and call it Lite, oh wait that's RT.