Microsoft is once again working on a Windows architecture that will enable it to compete better with Chrome OS. This time, the Windows builder is aiming for a new architecture for Windows 12, which should also support light versions of the operating system.

Windows users have been asking for the same thing for years: a stable operating system that looks recognizable, is secure and does not involve any additional work compared to a previous version. For its part, Microsoft has wanted something different for many years: an OS that not only dominates on classic PCs, but can also compete with Chrome OS in the educational sector.

Several attempts at a light version of Windows have already failed, the cause is always the same: an operating system that looks like Windows but suddenly has much less capacity because it’s a light version under the hood, frustrating users. However, Windows Central knows from anonymous sources that Microsoft is once again trying to build a platform for Windows 12 that is also suitable for light use.

CorePC

The basis of the whole concept is Core OS, which later evolved into Windows 10X and eventually died. The valuable organs were taken from the corpse and integrated here and there into Windows 10 and 11. With Windows 12, Windows would now follow the core philosophy again. This time the project is called CorePC.

CorePC is intended to be a modular version of Windows. This means that the operating system is no longer a monolith like previous Windows editions, but consists of different components, which are also located on different partitions. In theory, this modularity has several advantages.

First and foremost, CorePC would allow Microsoft to configure different versions of Windows based on the same platform. For example, Microsoft can configure a very light edition that can compete with Chrome OS and can only run apps from the App Store, for example. On the other hand, Redmond can configure the same platform with all Windows features, including native Win32 support. In its light version, CorePC would already be more than 60 percent more compact than Windows 11 SE.

Updates and Optimization

CorePC as the basis for Windows has another advantage: the platform allows significantly faster and easier updates. In addition, the division of the underlying platform is more secure. That would be an interesting argument for the classic Windows user.

Microsoft would also use the platform to develop versions of Windows optimized for the underlying chips. CorePC would allow Microsoft to develop a deeper synergy between operating system and microchip, analogous to Apple.

In theory, CorePC sounds interesting again and it’s certainly clear why Microsoft is interested in such an approach. Additionally, the CorePC platform represents a modern vision of OS architecture with many security benefits, so that’s a good thing.

The definition of madness…

On the other hand, we think Microsoft is stubbornly stomping on the same stone. Since the introduction of Windows 8 RT, all light versions of Windows have exactly the same problem. When it’s called Windows and looks like Windows but doesn’t act like Windows, users get frustrated.

A light version of Windows that can truly compete with Chrome OS is an exciting platform, but it’s not enough. A non-technical student who buys such a system and then suddenly finds that he cannot install a certain program because the functionality is missing will not be happy.

With CorePC, Microsoft seems to be ignoring this problem again. Windows 8 RT failed because of this, Windows 10 Lite is unknown and unloved, nobody voluntarily looks for a computer with Windows 11 SE, Core OS and Windows 10 X has not seen the light of day…

Even when Windows 11 started, the space was too small because the taskbar no longer had the same functions as before. Perhaps CorePC and Windows 12 will manage to sell Windows in a light and genuine version, but the story is not in Microsoft’s favor. In order to be successful in its development, Microsoft certainly needs very good marketers in addition to good engineers.

Please note that all of the above is based on unverified claims. While they’re reliable, a lot can change in Microsoft’s plans with Windows 12.