Microsoft's move to improve touch in Windows desktop mode is the right approach

The new (new) Microsoft is increasingly more pragmatic and takes fewer risks when it comes to user experience. It's the reverse of Windows 8, which while an exciting adjunct of Windows 7, not only wholly bombed but probable set Microsoft dorsum years. While Windows 8 had hostage intentions, it was very probable too radical – and ahead of its time – to work in 2022.

Windows x build 18970 began rolling out to Windows Insiders recently, with a significant but nuanced modify. Microsoft is now improving the overall impact experience for the Windows ten desktop experience. Oddly, the actual Tablet Mode part in Windows 10, though, remains unchanged.

No more than dedicated Tablet Mode?

If I had to guess (and this is an informed approximate), Microsoft is planning to shelve Tablet Mode in Windows x. In its place, the company will rely on what we see in Windows 10 build 18970, assuming A/B testing goes well.

The move makes sense. In 2022 the tablet market is on reject for Windows and Android. Only Apple remains with the iPad, and even there, the company is speedily positioning iPad Pro every bit a Surface Pro-similar experience, getting away from a "pure" tablet experience. With giant phones like the Note ten, iPhone XS Max, and Mate 20 X, the need for tablets is dropping like a stone. I can't fifty-fifty name any pure Windows ten tablets that take come out in the final three years.

In place of tablets, Windows x has 2-in-1s and convertibles, but even there the usage of these devices as pure tablets is likely depression. Microsoft has the telemetry on usage for Tablet Mode and – like First Menu – I'm confident in saying very few people accept advantage of it, which does not warrant its continued development.

The improved bear upon-friendly desktop experience coming to Windows 10.

None of that is to say touch is dead. I use many two-in-1 Windows x PCs (the Yoga C930, EliteBook 1040, Surface Pro, and MateBook E, to proper noun a few) and I very oft to put them into a converted configuration aka media-mode where the keyboard is flipped back. I never use Tablet Fashion anymore as I notice bear upon in desktop good enough. That said, I'll never turn down even more than optimizations effectually touch in desktop mode and these changes, which y'all tin can see in our hands-on video above, look bang-up.

The time to come is Lite

But what if Microsoft wants a real touch experience, or if a new tablet form factor returns? I think "Windows Lite" will be the answer there. That OS and its UI are congenital from the ground-up for light computing, convertibles, foldables, and dual-screen devices. Surely affect (and inking) input are top priorities for such an OS.

The problem with Windows 8 and Windows 10? They are massive – and at the core – old OSes that are frequently trying to be something they're not. Making desktop more touch-optimized is the style to get for electric current hardware. Let Windows Light have the pall of authentic touch and tablet-like devices.