Microsoft is working on a new design language for Windows 10 that is currently called Neon. While we don’t know exactly when this refreshed UI will make its way to the shipping builds of Windows 10, it is believed, at this time, that it is part of Redstone 3 which should arrive later this year.
Yesterday, Microsoft hosted a developer live stream where the company showed off all the new features in the Creators update for developers and during the session, the company briefly showed off a concept image of Neon but it had an overlay highlighting information from the live stream which made it hard to see. Fortunately, Tom Hounsell was able to dig out the image that you see in this post that gives us the best look yet at Neon and the changes it will bring when it arrives.
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First, it’s important to note that this is a concept image, we saw similar types of images before Windows 10 launched and this should not be taken as a direct reflection of what Microsoft will be building.
The image shows off an updated taskbar and an overhauled Groove app; it’s worth pointing out that the app now has a borderless edge and that the search box is now longer boxed. Aside from that, you can see updated playback controls as well.
The taskbar looks set for an update as well with the company toying with the idea of allowing you to have a white taskbar with black icons. The system tray has also been cleaned up a bit and only shows the date and time but no system tray icons.
Consider this an early look at what Neon will be bringing to Windows 10 when it arrives later this year. As far as we know now, there aren’t any major changes but simply just a refresh of the main components of the OS.