Microsoft has confirmed that Windows 11 will not be released and the company will continue to update Windows 10 with new features, improvements, and fixes.
Microsoft will continue to develop new variants of Windows 10, such as Windows on ARM, and will also launch Windows 10X next year, a new version of the operating system designed for foldable and single-screen devices.
Windows 10 20H2 update
Microsoft decided to release a major update and a "minor" update in 2020.
The first major update of the year, Windows 10 May 2020 Update, is now available to consumers, and the second feature update is called 20H2 and would be a release with improvements and fixes.
The Windows 10 20H2 update would be similar in format to Windows 10 version 1909 (November 2019 Update).
Windows 10's "Iron" update 21H1
After 20H2, Microsoft plans to release the “21H1” update for Windows 10. The Windows 10 21H1 update will arrive in spring 2021 and will introduce new features.
One of the new features expected in 21H1 is a redesigned Start menu that uses a transparent background to showcase the new colorful icons.
In a recently edited blog post on the Windows Subsystem for Linux, Microsoft had mistakenly confirmed that the Windows Insider team would release the Windows 10 21H1 "Iron" preview to testers in the second half of June.
“Support for DxCore, D3D12, DirectML, and NVIDIA CUDA is coming to a Windows Insider Fast build soon. The Fast Ring is currently in the Manganese (Mn) feature branch. We expect the Fast Ring to move to the Iron (Fe) branch towards the end of June, which will expose this new functionality to Insiders,” the now-deleted paragraph states.
The post suggests that the first preview build of Windows 10 21H1 could be released in June, but plans are constantly subject to change.
Microsoft appears to be internally testing Windows 10 201xx preview builds, but it's not yet known whether the builds are tied to the 21H1 update
Windows 10X: Operating system for dual-screen devices
In October 2019, Microsoft announced Windows 10X for dual-screen devices, such as the Surface Neo, which was supposed to be released in December 2020.
However, Microsoft recently revealed that the Surface Neo has been discontinued as a project and Windows 10X is now aimed at single-screen PCs.
In a post written by Windows and Devices head Panos Panay, it was revealed that Microsoft developers are shifting their focus to Windows 10X in an effort to meet current customer demand.
“These one-screen devices will be used to launch Windows 10X first to our customers, and we will continue to look for the right time, in collaboration with our partners, to bring the ability for dual-screen devices to market,” said Panos Panay.
Windows 10X is expected to be released in 2021 when Microsoft will make significant improvements to the operating system in terms of usability and adaptability.
Leaks of Windows 10 features coming in the future
Microsoft is also working on a new context menu that offers more shortcuts, including a new option for navigation, address access, and tabs.
Microsoft has also created a new modern File Explorer with sleek icons and a very nicely designed interface.
This new interface appears to remove advanced features, including the address bar. It also includes OneDrive integration and Google Drive integration.
