A number of Microsoft executives and employees have confirmed that they are working on a next-gen Windows. This was first confirmed during Microsoft’s Build 2021 conference where CEO Satya Nadella said Microsoft is working on “one of the most significant updates to Windows of the past decade.”
Satya Nadella was apparently talking about the Windows Sun Valley update, which is the codename of the new interface that sits on top of Windows 10 and it is a major update coming to Microsoft’s desktop OS lineup.
There’s a theory that the next generation of the operating could be called “Windows 11” and this is based on the teaser for the Microsoft event in June, which you can see in the below screenshot. If you look at the teaser closely, you can see a light coming through the window resulting in two vertical bars that look like ‘11’.
Microsoft also intentionally removed the horizontal bar and many people speculated that the teaser is talking about Windows 11 (also known as the Sun Valley update). Some leakers including reliable Evan Blass also confirmed that there’s a forthcoming Microsoft OS called “Windows 11”.
Earlier today, Microsoft’s Windows YouTube channel posted a medley of various startup sounds, including the melodies that were included with Windows 95, Windows XP, and Windows 7. These melodies have been slowed down by 4,000 times to form an “11-minute” long music video to help those excited for the June 24th Microsoft Event.
“Having trouble relaxing because you’re too excited for the June 24th Microsoft Event? Take a slow trip down memory lane with the Windows 95, XP, and 7 startup sounds slowed down to a meditative 4,000% reduced speed,” Microsoft said.
Microsoft’s video features startup sounds of all major Windows versions that had introduced significant improvements. At the end of the video, there’s also a teaser for the Microsoft event on June 24, which is set to begin at 11 a.m. ET.
This seems to imply that Windows 11 / Sun Valley will introduce significant improvements, as previously confirmed by Microsoft CEO.
As you can see in the above screenshot, there also appears to be a reference to “Sun Valley” in the video.
Windows 11?
In the past, Microsoft made it very clear that “Windows 10 is the last version of Windows” and it will be updated regularly as a “service”. However, Microsoft also promised fancy features, names (remember Creators Update?) and a lot of others, which were simply abandoned.
The people responsible for “Windows 10 is the last version of Windows” decision are long gone and the possibility of Windows 11 cannot be ruled out.