Microsoft is exploring multiple cosmetic improvements to Windows 10. Besides refining the aesthetics of the five-year-old operating system, Microsoft is also tweaking the apps available in Microsoft Store. The redesign is aimed at streamlining and synchronizing the appearance of the OS with the apps.
Microsoft has finally realized there’s a big cosmetic mismatch between Windows 10 operating systems visuals. Essentially, the powerful and capable operating system doesn’t quite work well visually or cosmetically with existing web and mobile apps. Hence, the company has embarked on the much-desired journey of offering a visually pleasing and symmetrical experience within Windows 10.
Microsoft to take Windows 10 redesign beyond the Fluent Design philosophy:
Microsoft Windows 10 is more than five years old. The capable desktop operating systems has received several critical and security-related updates. However, despite adding multiple new functionalities, the aesthetics of the OS has remained largely unchanged.
Microsoft takes the redesign of Windows 10 seriously and is now after on improvements. In future Windows 10, there may be round windows, buttons, toggles, sliders, dialog boxes.#Windows #Microsoft https://t.co/ETjKDiA9MU pic.twitter.com/pM5lgAhmwe
— Mavi Ekran Verdi (@maviekranverdi_) January 3, 2021
Microsoft did revamp Windows 10 with the Fluent Design philosophy. Moreover, there have been multiple minor tweaks with app icons and the Start Menu. However, Microsoft is now getting serious about a major cosmetic revamp of Windows 10.
In addition to the system-wide improvements, Microsoft will also introduce new User Interface visual tweaks to the XAML apps. Available under Microsoft’s Open Specification Promise, the Extensible Application Markup Language (XAML) is a declarative XML-based programming language that the company developed.
Fluent Design meets Fluid Design philosophy?
Microsoft reportedly wants to implement rounded corners for items. These include the selection checkbox in multi-select mode, toggle switch, rating bar, hover effect, and more.
According to new documentation published by Microsoft, the new design will bring XAML Windows apps on par with existing web and mobile apps while “looking familiar on Windows”. Essentially, the software giant wants to ensure the UI elements in the OS, and those present in the apps appear consistent.
Needless to mention, the current XAML controls in Windows 10 appear significantly inconsistent with web and mobile apps. In other words, the UI elements of the OS seem to be evolving rather slowly.
To address this inconsistency, Microsoft intends to modify and renovate the default appearance of the toggle switch, slider, and rating controls. Additionally, the company could change the default appearance of various button controls inside Windows 10.
There are several platforms the developers are working on. There are the Progressive Web Apps (PWA), Universal Windows Platform (UWP), and several Windows Store Apps.
Although not yet confirmed, Microsoft appears to be focused on offering rounded windows, buttons, toggles, sliders, dialog boxes, ListView, GridView, selection menu, etc. across all the multiple platforms and apps. Additionally, there are multiple other Fluent Design effects when selected, hovered, or in any other non-rest state.
It is important to note that Microsoft has merely offered a proposal. These changes are not in the development or testing stage. Hence it is highly unlikely that Microsoft will introduce these new design elements in the upcoming Cumulative Update for Windows 10.