Microsoft teased some of its big Windows plans at its Build 2021 event his week.
The company said it is will be sharing more details about its next-generation Windows operating system and it is preparing to make a presentation in an event or announcement in the "coming weeks."
Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella said he has been testing the "next generation of Windows" over the past couple of months. Nadella hinted at some of the features that will be coming to the next version of the operating system, including a new app store and significant UI changes.
"Soon we will share one of the most significant updates to Windows of the past decade to unlock greater economic opportunity for developers and creators. I've been self-hosting it over the past several months, and I'm incredibly excited about the next generation of Windows," Nadella said.
Nadella said the new operating system will provide more opportunities to developers and creators to build, distribute and monetize their applications.
While Nadella did not specify the changes that will be coming to the Windows Store, sources claimed that it could allow third-party commerce platforms inside applications. This could be a big advantage to developers as it would circumvent Microsoft's 15% commission on apps and 12% commission on games.
Analysts pointed out that Nadella never mentioned a specific name for the next version of Windows and only referred to it as the "next generation of Windows." Before it officially launched Windows 10, the company always referred to it by its name. The language used could suggest that the company may be preparing a more significant shift in how it will brand the next Windows version.
Last week, Microsoft confirmed that it will no longer be shipping Windows 10X, a version of Windows 10 specifically build for dual-screen devices. The company said it will instead be integrating the best bits of Windows 10X into the main version of Windows 10 along with other changes under a rollout codenamed "Sun Valley."
Sources said some of the changes will include new system icons, enhancements to File Explorer, fixes of multiple monitor issues, Bluetooth audio support enhancements and the addition of Xbox Auto HDR.
