Windows of the future: Polaris, C-Shell and Windows Core OS
Microsoft is working on a secret project “Windows Core OS” to unify the Windows operating system on various types of devices. Part of the new universal platform will be a desktop environment codenamed “Polaris”
What is known about these projects today?
It is important to emphasize that Microsoft has not officially announced these projects. Windows Core OS, C-Shell, and Polaris may change dramatically during development or may never be released at all.
This implementation was brought to life with the release of the Anniversary Update . Since then, the operating system for Xbox has received exactly the same kernel as regular Windows 10 .
Going beyond OneCore
Microsoft is going to create a single unified operating system for various types of devices, from desktop computers to Xbox One consoles, HoloLens mixed reality glasses and smartphones of the future. However, the company will move towards this goal step by step.
Already today, Microsoft actively supports the “OneCore” project – a single core for the operating systems Windows 10, Windows Server, Xbox 10, Windows 10 Mobile, Windows 10 IoT and HoloLens.
However, despite the common kernel, these operating systems differ significantly from each other.
Windows Core OS – a single system for all devices
Microsoft is working on a secret project “Windows Core OS” to unify the Windows operating system on various types of devices. Part of the new universal platform will be a desktop environment codenamed “Polaris”Microsoft wants to ensure that in the future all Windows devices run the same operating system. Windows Core OS could be just such a system. A job posting on LinkedIn for a software engineer from Microsoft states that Windows Core OS (WCOS) will become “a single operating system for all new devices.” Also, in relation to Windows Core OS, the wording “new operating system” is used and information is provided that the OneCore team is involved in the development of the project.
Zac Bowden, a journalist for Windows Central , spoke with Microsoft representatives about Windows Core OS back in 2017. Engineers from Redmond described the new project as follows:
Windows Core OS (WCOS) is a new, modern version of Windows that is a huge step forward in making Windows a truly universal operating system. In other words, WCOS will become a cross-platform version of Windows for any device on any architecture, and its functionality for individual devices can be expanded using modular extensions.
Windows Core OS is the next step in implementing modularity in Windows 10. It is an operating system with a single base for all devices. Instead of running different Windows 10, Windows 10 Mobile and Xbox operating systems on the same core, the company plans to use the same Windows Core OS on all devices.
Mary Jo Foley, a journalist for ZDNet , believes that Windows Core OS will not support running classic Win32 applications by default, i.e. traditional programs for the desktop platform. However, given the modular structure of Windows Core OS, it will be possible to add Win32 support using a separate module. However, support for desktop applications will not be built into the core of the system.
Foley explains that the Windows Core OS project was previously known internally at Microsoft as AndromedaOS. According to rumors, this name was given because of the dual-screen mobile device “Andromeda”, which was developed by Microsoft. The launch of the device was planned for 2018, but something went wrong, and engineers again turned to the drawings. Journalists from the Italian site Aggiornamenti Lumia discovered the first signs of Windows Core OS in the Microsoft Store on October 11, 2018.
Modular C-Shell interface
The composite shell, known as C-Shell or CShell, is another project directly related to Windows Core OS.
Nowadays, devices running different versions of Windows have their own interface built into the corresponding OS. Computers have their own shell, Xbox devices have their own Xbox dashboard, and Windows smartphones have their own mobile interface. All these interfaces are very different and are part of the operating systems for the corresponding devices.
C-Shell will become a single, common interface running on top of Windows Core OS. It is a modular shell for a modular operating system. The shell will be able to adapt to the device in real time. In other words, Microsoft can build its own interface that will automatically adapt to the device and use case being used.
For example, future Windows smartphones may receive a special mobile interface that will become a regular desktop interface when connecting a keyboard and an external monitor. It will be a more powerful desktop experience than that offered in the Continuum concept for Windows 10 Mobile. The gaming console will also be able to switch between the Xbox One dashboard and the desktop interface. Thus, C-Shell will ensure that Windows Core OS runs on any device and organize the provision of the appropriate interface for the system.
Windows Central showed the first concepts of C-Shell on a Windows smartphone in 2017. The shell is very similar to the current interface for Windows mobile devices. It looks like Microsoft isn’t going to reinvent the wheel or make any drastic changes to the interface.
Polaris – C-Shell desktop
C-Shell will receive several so-called “composers” – one composer for each type of interface. Polaris is a desktop builder. In other words, it’s a Windows desktop environment on top of C-Shell and Windows Core OS. This is a significant improvement over past versions of Windows because Microsoft is essentially redesigning the desktop desktop experience with modern code
Other builders known so far include Andromeda for mobile devices, Aruba for Surface Hub, and Oasis for mixed reality devices such as HoloLens.
Polaris will be Microsoft’s biggest challenge because Windows Core OS with the Polaris desktop will need to be able to run traditional Win32 programs.
Only for new devices
Users don’t need to worry. No one will force you to update. Microsoft’s job posting on LinkedIn states that the new system will be for “new devices” only. Microsoft isn’t going to suddenly upgrade your current Windows 10 PC to Windows Core OS with Polaris.
According to Windows Central, the initial release of Windows Core OS will be on the mobile device platform. Most likely, Microsoft will release a “Surface Phone” based on Windows Core OS and C-Shell. It will also use the mobile compositor for Andromeda in normal use and Polaris when docked.
However, in the long term, all new Windows devices may end up with the same software base – even PCs and laptops. For now, this is the future Microsoft envisions for Windows.