Skip to main content

Microsoft is secretly building Polaris, a slimmer, more modern version of Windows

A woman sits by a desk and types on a laptop that runs Windows 10.
Image used with permission by copyright holder
Microsoft’s latest internal project is reportedly a new pared-down version of Windows code-named Polaris. This new iteration isn’t a successor to Windows 10, not in the traditional sense. Instead, it’s an alternative operating system more like iOS or Chrome OS — a lightweight OS designed for devices like ultra-mobile laptops, 2-in-1s, and tablets. And according to Windows Central, it could be the future of Windows.

So what is it, exactly? Good question. Last January, we reported on efforts to develop an “adaptive shell” called C-Shell for Windows 10 so that the platform can properly scale out across PC, mobile, console, HoloLens, and embedded devices. Different products running Windows would use different iterations of that shell. And according to noted Microsoft-watcher Mary Jo Foley, Polaris is Microsoft’s effort to build a desktop Shell using C-Shell to run on top of the Windows Core OS.

Maybe, maybe not. Here’s another theory: Polaris could take over for Windows 10 S, the pared-down student version of Windows 10 that Microsoft is using to test the lightweight OS waters.

Windows 10 S could be seen as something of a trial balloon here, with Microsoft angling toward the education market to see how a pared-down Windows experience would go over with the average user.

Polaris reportedly aims to strip out all the legacy components that make Windows 10 a full-featured operating system in favor of a system designed around the basics — like Chrome OS. An operating system designed for people who typically work out of a web browser. The new Windows Polaris would be quicker, more nimble, and carry a lot less baggage.

Polaris would, according to Window Central, be built entirely on Microsoft’s Universal Windows Platform, or UWP, making it a much more hospitable environment to existing UWP apps and potentially offer battery life and performance gains. (The world’s reaction to UWP has been … somewhat mixed.)

“The current Windows Shell is one of the major legacy components that Microsoft is replacing in Polaris; it is also stripping out legacy, unneeded Win32 components and apps like Notepad or Paint in favor of a UWP experience, just like Windows 10 Mobile,” Windows Central reports.

It’s an interesting move and it certainly makes sense with Microsoft’s recent shift toward unifying its Windows experience across all of its platforms, but it’s unclear whether or not Polaris would end up seeing widespread adoption. Currently, Chromebooks offer a unique niche for lightweight on-the-go computing, and Windows 10 exists in its full version on laptops and mobile devices up and down the price spectrum without any issues. Pulling out functionality in favor of marginal gains in performance and battery life might not appeal to the average laptop, tablet, or 2-in-1 user.

Editors' Recommendations

Jayce Wagner
Former Digital Trends Contributor
A staff writer for the Computing section, Jayce covers a little bit of everything -- hardware, gaming, and occasionally VR.
A beloved Windows app is being axed after 28 years
microsoft surface laptop go review wordpad

Microsoft is finally retiring WordPad, the venerable text editor that has been a staple in Windows operating systems since Windows 95. This decision comes as part of Microsoft's ongoing efforts to refine its software lineup and focus on more advanced applications. It marks the end of a 28-year journey for WordPad.

As spotted by Tom’s Hardware, the recent Canary build of Windows 11 does not include WordPad as part of the default software package. Microsoft seems to be encouraging users to explore its more comprehensive Office suite, which includes applications like Microsoft Word for a more sophisticated word-processing experience. In Septemeber 2023, the company added the rich text application to its list of deprecated Windows features.

Read more
Windows 12 might not be coming this year after all
The Copilot key shown on a white keyboard.

It is possible that Microsoft's next system update might not be named Windows 12 after all, but rather a major overhaul of Windows 11 with extensive AI integration.

According to Windows Central, Microsoft is expected to ship a "version 24H2" system later this year, which will succeed the version 23H2 of Windows 11 that was released last year. Many rumors have assumed the next Windows version would be a number upgrade due to the expected heavy AI influence. However, at this point, it seems more likely the current Windows 11 system sequence will continue, especially since chief product officer Panos Panay left the company, the publication added.

Read more
How to use cut, copy, and paste keyboard shortcuts in Windows

Are you tired of all the right-clicking just to access simple commands like cut, copy, and paste? Sure, it's not super labor-intensive, but it can get really annoying after a while when you're constantly summoning one of these actions using a mechanical rodent.

If you’re not utilizing shortcut commands, you’re missing out on an easy way to save time and effort. Read on to learn simple commands that combine Control (Ctrl) and other keys to cut, copy, paste, and even undo actions across Windows apps.
Selecting text and moving your cursor (without a mouse)

Read more