Will Microsoft keep the Desktop in future Windows Versions

Spoonhead98

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Hi, i have been reading about Windows Blue and there are rumors about the classic desktop being removed. I dont think microsoft would do that because lots of people use legacy windows apps. Will the classic desktop ever be removed from windows? I was worried that all my apps will be useless in a few years.

thanks;)
 

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I don't think so (or at least in anytime soon). The Risk for MS is so high if Desktop was removed.
 

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So i wont be able to run .exe files without the desktop?
If microsoft ditch the desktop i will get a Mac
 

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The desktop will not get removed, any time soon. The Metro is a new layer that cannot work without the desktop yet.

Example in Win8:
If you are in start screen and want to go to any program (no app) or Computer location, Classic Control Panel item, you get to see the desktop and you spend some time loading it (for the first time after boot).

Honestly, for now, Metro is just slowing things down... you can smell and feel it as an extra layer there, no offence since I use it but the Start Screen has got a bit slower lately here.
 

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So when do u think the desktop will go?
 

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So when do u think the desktop will go?

Well, we still have 32 bit and people are still rocking XP. So, I expect it to be a long while yet.
 

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Thanks, its not the desktop look that i will miss, its the ability to run standard .exe files. I have lots of games and programs that i need to run.
 

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    ASUS M5A97 R2.0
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Thanks, its not the desktop look that i will miss, its the ability to run standard .exe files. I have lots of games and programs that i need to run.

They might remove desktop, but gives a replacement such as an emulator.
 

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They need to give an emulator, Windows will just turn into something like Android.
 

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    16GB DDR3
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Thanks, its not the desktop look that i will miss, its the ability to run standard .exe files. I have lots of games and programs that i need to run.

They might remove desktop, but gives a replacement such as an emulator.

EXE's will be able to run even without the desktop, in my opinion. The thing is that the desktop is a big thing, larger that what the most people think and that's why it will take a long time to remove/replace (I agree with pparks1).
 

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    16GB
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So all my bought Programs wont go to waste?
 

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    Windows 8.1 Pro X64
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    AMD FX 8320
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    ASUS M5A97 R2.0
    Memory
    16GB DDR3
    Graphics Card(s)
    AMD Radeon R9 270X
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    1680x1050
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So all my bought Programs wont go to waste?

No. Otherwise that means MS would perform seppuku and that wouldn't be a logical move at all.

We also have Virtual Machines (in VMware Player, Workstation, VirtualBox, Hyper-V and others) that would allow us to run all our programs even the very old ones (i still have DOS programs and they run perfectly in DosBox) in a new layer on Win8.
 

My Computer

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  • OS
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    Intel i7-3630QM
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    HP, Intel HM77 Express Chipset
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    IDT HD Audio
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    15.6' built-in + Samsung S22D300 + 17.3' LG Phillips
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    That's basically it.
Oh cool, i thought some DOS programs still work in 7/8
 
Last edited:

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    ASUS M5A97 R2.0
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My Computer

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  • OS
    Windows 10 x64
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    Intel i7-3630QM
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    HP, Intel HM77 Express Chipset
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Oh right, i didn't know that because i have no DOS programs.

I am happy to see that the legacy windows apps will not be scrapped.
 

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    AMD FX 8320
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    ASUS M5A97 R2.0
    Memory
    16GB DDR3
    Graphics Card(s)
    AMD Radeon R9 270X
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    1680x1050
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    128GB SSD + 1TB HDD
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    Thermaltake Toughpower 750W
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    Thermaltake Commander MS-I Snow Edition
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I don't think the desktop will be bone forever, but I think the layers will change.

Currently Metro runs on top of the desktop. you can do a fair amount, but more intricate stuff requires you to drop down to the Desktop.

I think Microsoft will try to make metro the core, with desktop more of a sandboxed "virtual machine"/compatibility mode. RT devices will have Desktop gone completely, but x86 computers will still have desktop for the foreseeable future. Once the core is rebuilt, Microsoft may begin to either block code that doesn't use preferred APIs, or some other method of discouraging the use of 1990's legacy code while promoting newer, compliant, and safer code.
 

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I don't think the desktop will be bone forever, but I think the layers will change.

Currently Metro runs on top of the desktop. you can do a fair amount, but more intricate stuff requires you to drop down to the Desktop.

I think Microsoft will try to make metro the core, with desktop more of a sandboxed "virtual machine"/compatibility mode. RT devices will have Desktop gone completely, but x86 computers will still have desktop for the foreseeable future. Once the core is rebuilt, Microsoft may begin to either block code that doesn't use preferred APIs, or some other method of discouraging the use of 1990's legacy code while promoting newer, compliant, and safer code.

I agree with this vision of yours. :thumb:
 

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    HP, Intel HM77 Express Chipset
    Memory
    16GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel HD4000 + Nvidia Geforce 630M
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    IDT HD Audio
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    15.6' built-in + Samsung S22D300 + 17.3' LG Phillips
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    multiple resolutions
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Good explanation, Thanks
 

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    AMD FX 8320
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    ASUS M5A97 R2.0
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    16GB DDR3
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    AMD Radeon R9 270X
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    128GB SSD + 1TB HDD
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    Thermaltake Toughpower 750W
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Not for a very long time, 10 years I see is when the Desktop will basically be yes, a sandboxed environment for REAL legacy software. I bet that will be a feature for Windows nVeryfarNext Pro and/or Enterprise. If that were to happen, that will only be for Windows RT. There will be a turnover that will take place coding wise, Windows will need to support better app viewing, and developers will need to innovate UI design for touch and metro design at least to an extent. It seems Microsoft is working on getting the system programs that have been in Windows forever into a metro WinRT form with Blue going forward, so the Desktop will be used for third party programs. Office may or may not make it to a WinRT app within three to five years. Basically, once that happens, that will signal to the developers out in the world to start REALLY doing WinRT app development, and make it easier to develop their apps for Windows Phone. This has been seen as when Office 2007 came out with the Ribbon, a few years later, more notable programs started using the Ribbon design such as WinZip, AutoCAD, and some audio programs. There may be more that I'm not aware of. Although Office in the metro form might use the Radial menu design like in OneNote MX....

As for the metro core, or WinRT, I doubt that could happen soon. WinRT is built on top of the old Win32 layer, WinRT is basically a pretty finish with new plumbing that ties into the old, stable foundation. We'll have to see what happens, but since Microsoft is expanding on the MinWin kernel with Blue, this could happen quicker than we think as MinWin is pretty legit!

I agree with FuturDreamz on this as well.

Part of the reason to shift away from the Desktop code and UI is because that has been where Windows' issues occur. Poor app development that gets deep into the system files can easily corrupt things, and thus result in issues. For example, WinRT apps are restricted from the registry hives of Windows, so that prevents system errors (winrot) from ever happening. I think the self contained .xml files are how the apps are built.... Or malware, as I see and interpret it, it seems difficult for malware code to make it on a Windows OS with the WinRT apps. I would image it's possible, but MUCH more difficult than with the Desktop.
 

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