What is Windows Core OS?
Hi my friends, every day the technology grows and grows more, of course Microsoft does not escape from this, an example of this is Windows Core OS, but ................. which is Windows Core OS?
It is a version of Windows 10 that will unify and replace the different platforms that include a modified version of Windows. Windows Core OS differs mainly from Windows 10 in that it will not be a version that replaces it, but the two versions will coexist as two different variants of the same operating system.
Windows Core OS and OneCore
To understand how Microsoft's Windows vision will work, it is essential to understand some of the architecture of the operating system.
Here is a list of key elements:
Windows OneCore: Microsoft successfully unified its kernel and OS core system on all devices in 2015.
Universal Windows Platform (UWP): Microsoft unified its application platform, which runs on Win32 (x86, x64), ARM and Xbox systems.
Windows Core OS: As reported by our principal writer Zac Bowden, Microsoft is making Windows 10 modular. Once finished, Windows 10 will look the same, but Microsoft can easily add or remove components such as Win32 and phone support for cellular calls. Windows Core OS will also pave the way for a true UWP version of Windows 10 without any native Win32 support that will eventually supplant Windows 10 S.
Windows CShell: with the same kernel, a flexible core and a unified application platform, the last piece is the shell (or UI) that fits the screen. Taking the idea of Continuum to the level of the operating system, CShell allows the devices to adjust their UI for different tasks and experiences. A collapsible mobile device would be able to scale between a user interface based on the telephone and a tablet-based user interface, and even extend to a desktop mode through Continuum, for example. Or, a Windows 10 PC could take the Xbox user interface when it is in game mode.
The idea here is simple: Windows will share the same kernel (OneCore) and now the same level components of the operating system (Windows Core OS), but the shell is variable and configurable depending on the hardware that is being created.
Before this model, Microsoft had the unified kernel (OneCore), but the level of the operating system was different in Windows 10 Mobile, Windows 10 PC, Xbox, HoloLens and Surface Hub. Each one requires its own equipment to maintain. While everyone shared the kernel (OneCore) and application layer (UWP), the "center" of each needed their own engineering team.
but first we must understand the following ...... what is a Kernel?
In computer science, a nucleus or kernel (of the Kern Germanic root, nucleus, bone) is a software that constitutes a fundamental part of the operating system, and is defined as the part that runs in privileged mode (also known as kernel mode). It is the main responsible for providing the different programs with secure access to computer hardware or in basic form, is responsible for managing resources, through system call services. Since there are many programs and access to hardware is limited, it is also responsible for deciding which program can use a hardware device and for how long, which is known as multiplexing. Accessing the hardware directly can be really complex, so the kernels usually implement a series of hardware abstractions. This allows to hide the complexity, and to provide a clean and uniform interface to the underlying hardware, which facilitates its use to the programmer.
In some operating systems, there is no core as such (common in embedded systems), because in certain architectures there are no different modes of execution.
With Windows Core OS, this model is deleted. The kernel, app layer and now at the operating system level are all the same. The only difference will be the shell or the user interface. In the Windows Core OS model, these are also known as "composers". For example, there may be a tablet composer, one for desktop and another for mobile devices.
Composers: Andromeda, Polaris and more
Proposed operating system structure of a device running "Polaris" and Windows Core OS.
Composers are part of the flexible shells that Windows Core OS will express. There is a mobile shell (Andromeda), desktop shell (Polaris), Surface Hub (Aruba) and mixed reality shell (Oasis).
The new devices, in theory, could have multiple composers. For example, a device could act as a mobile (Andromeda) but also switch to a desktop mode (Polaris).
There could be even more composers, there are no limits. Microsoft would already have finished the kernel (OneCore), the central operating system (WCOS) and the application layer (UWP), but could include a new composer for a new type of experience, such as game or collaboration mode.
Does it sound like Microsoft's Continuum experience? It is. This model is a form of Continuum built in all versions of Windows so that the OS can live and adapt to the new hardware without having to redo the real operating system.
In a nutshell, Windows is now modular and the shell level is the variable.
What makes a Polaris PC different?
The first time you see a Windows Core laptop with Polaris, the software will look just like Windows 10.
Underneath, however, things are different. There are no longer many legacy systems built into the operating system, for example, the old File Explorer or the fax machine. The legacy components are being destroyed to optimize Windows for the next decade.
It is doubtful that all legacy systems have disappeared, including some deeper hooks for Win32's "classic" APIs. Instead, think of Windows Core OS as a subset of the heavier, older Windows operating system.
But what about the inherited applications? Microsoft has some solutions under consideration. On the one hand, Centennial bridge applications are still running from the Microsoft store. It is likely that Microsoft will place many of its own legacy applications in the Store to compensate for their deletion, such as the old Microsoft Paint application.
Another solution may involve the transmission of applications, basically running your legacy application through the cloud on your device. But the real goal of Windows Core OS and Polaris for desktop and laptop users is UWP. Microsoft wants consumers to use the Microsoft store and applications on the UWP platform.
Composers
The composers that Windows Core OS uses are known to date are Polaris, Andromeda, Oasis and Aruba.
Polaris
Polaris is the alternative Shell of Windows 10 in computers. It can be considered the successor of the editions S and Lean of Windows 10, since it could be a lighter version of Windows 10 PC being a totally universal component, where all the inherited characteristics would have been eliminated, as for example the Win32 applications. It is important to note that current devices with Windows 10 PC will not be upgradeable to Polaris or vice versa. Devices with Polaris would be commercialized at the same time as Windows 10 devices.
Andromeda
Andromeda is the alternative Windows 10 Shell on mobile devices. It can be considered the successor of the Mobile edition of Windows 10, since they look similar, although Andromeda has many more features than Windows 10 Mobile. This device would integrate Continuum, which, unlike the one found in Windows 10 Mobile, when connected to a screen, its appearance would be completely identical to Polaris, that is, it would have a native desktop environment and not a simulation with limitations. The inherited features would have been removed, such as Silverlight applications. Like Polaris, Windows 10 Mobile will not be able to upgrade to Windows Core OS (although some users managed to install an early build of Andromeda on the HP Elite x3, due to a Microsoft bug).
Oasis
Oasis is the alternative Shell of Windows 10 in mixed reality devices. It is the successor of Windows Mixed Reality, since Oasis is a composer destined to the Mixed Reality devices. Oasis is already in its final phase of development before its launch together with HoloLens 2, scheduled for autumn 2018. This composer would reinforce the features of these devices to further unify them to the Universal Platform of Windows and also better adapt the system to the processor ARM and LTE connectivity. All the inherited characteristics would have been eliminated.
Aruba
Aruba is the alternative Windows 10 Shell on interactive whiteboards. It is the successor of the Windows 10 Team edition. This will be the first Windows Core OS composer released to the public, which will be installed in the Surface Hub 2, planned for the summer of 2018. With this composer, the new generation of the Surface Hub would remove all the features that are not part of the Universal Windows Platform and would add new ones, such as animated screen and lock backgrounds and Fluent Design.
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I hope the information is useful, greetings.