New information about Microsoft's Windows 10 replacement dual-screen laptop OS leaks

We have heard of Aruba and Oasis and Andromeda, and today we have another code-named to add to that list.

ZDNet’s Mary Jo Foley reports that Microsoft is working on a new Windows shell to run on top of Windows Core OS.

Aruba is the much-delayed shell running Surface Hub 2, while Oasis will run on the HoloLens 2, Andromeda the in-limbo Surface Phone, while Mary Jo reports that Santorini may be the code name for the shell for Microsoft’s dual-screen laptop, which itself has the code-name Centaurus.

This shell has previously been called Lite, and Mary Jo writes:

I’m hearing the codename for this Windows Lite shell is “Santorini.” Santorini is what will enable Windows to work on foldable and other dual-screen form factor devices.

Many OEMs have of course been pushing for dual-screened laptops, where the keyboard is replaced by a screen and where the device can easily be turned into a large tablet. The demand is likely driven by falling prices of screens and the need to draw in and convince buyers to replace their 5-year-old laptops with new, Always Connected PCs.

Separately Mary Jo also reports that Microsoft is continued to work on making sure than Win32 apps can run on Santorini, hoping to avoid the Windows RT debacle where lack of useful software killed the platform. MJF reports that, like on Windows 10 on ARM, Microsoft hopes that users will be able to access applications directly from any download site and that apps may be run in containers instead for safety.

Microsoft’s efforts to meaningfully replace Windows has usually floundered, and Windows Core OS and its implementations have certainly been delayed numerous times. Do our readers think Microsoft can finally get it right? Let us know below.