How Windows 10 will change after a grand design overhaul

Microsoft is currently preparing for the release of a major update to Windows 10, which is expected to be a grand overhaul of the design and interface.

Microsoft’s Windows 10 2021 Concept

Zac Bowden, an authoritative journalist and editor for WindowsCentral, revealed the details of the upcoming changes, adding images of new interface elements such as the Windows 10 Action Center, Start Menu, Snap Assist, and a few others.

Although the images are mockups and not actual screenshots, Bowden emphasized that they were created to protect the sources from which the information was obtained.

Microsoft is working on “simplifying” the taskbar, the system tray will be cleaned up and a lot will move to the action center, just like modular Windows 10X. Windows 10 Action Center will borrow features from Windows 10X Action Center, including separate panels for quick settings, music control, and alerts.

Users can choose between Live Tiles and a simplified Start Menu like Windows 10X.

Microsoft plans to revise “Settings” – there will be a visual display of battery consumption, in the style of mobile platforms.

Multitasking will improve. Snap Assist adds the ability to dock two Edge windows next to each other. Also expected are rounded corners in many UI elements, new animations, smoother handling, and more.

The new user interface and design project is internally codenamed Sun Valley and will be part of the Windows 10 Cobalt or 21H2 release. For ordinary users, this version of the OS will become available in the fall of 2021, most likely in October.