Microsoft just finished its Build 2022 developer conference, and honestly, it was fine, even if you’re a Windows fan. I’m usually very vocal in my criticisms of the build – along with other Microsoft conferences – and the continued lack of focus on the company’s desktop operating system. But as any time I criticize something that matters to me, nothing makes me happier than being able to admit I was wrong.
The company was clear from the start that it wouldn’t be talking about Windows feature updates, and promised to bring exciting news to developers at Build. I was expecting this to revolve around things like WinUI, but in fact, this developer news is translating into things that should be exciting for everyone.
For example, Microsoft announced a full suite of Windows on Arm, third-party tools on Windows 11, changes to the Microsoft Store, and more. That’s a lot.
Why doesn’t Microsoft talk about Windows in Build, and why should it
The last time Redmond actually talked about Windows features on stage at Build was in 2017. Joe Belfiore showed off a whole bunch of features that were slated to arrive in the Windows 10 Fall Creators Update. In fact, when some of these features didn’t ship, Microsoft decided the answer was less transparent, rather than just acknowledging the delays of some features, but that’s a story for another time.
At Build in 2018 through 2020, the messages were clear: Microsoft no longer cares about Windows. It’s an Azure company now. This is where the company has seen the most growth, and this is where it’s headed. Windows wasn’t anywhere, but if Microsoft had to type in the main title, the title would be Azure.
2021 was a little different. The work-from-home boom brought the PC market back, and suddenly Microsoft wanted to do something exciting with Windows again. In about nine months, it’s assembled Windows 11 for launch in June, and it’s still a long way from Build.
For this year, you were probably expecting the release of Windows 11 22H2. After all, Windows is back, it’s more priority, and there’s less reason to give it a custom launch. But nevertheless, this is not the case.
Build is a demo for developers, and Microsoft wants to stress that the news is aimed at developers. While Google and Apple show more consumer-related news in their offerings, Microsoft doesn’t want to do that anymore. Of course, this is a very convenient way not to talk about Windows, because all the news about Azure remains the same.
I also deal with feelings. Consumer News he is Developer news. At WWDC in just over a week, Apple will announce new versions of iOS, iPadOS, macOS, watchOS, and tvOS. You can tune in to see what new features the iPhone will have this fall. Is it for developers? Mostly not. There’s not much to do with the new features that you can actually customize your app for, coding examples, or anything like that. The same goes for Google I/O Keynote.
But that’s why this is so important to developers. It shows momentum for the platform. Microsoft has not historically shown Windows features an indication that Windows simply isn’t a priority. You can watch any keyword at Google I/O or WWDC and walk away without a doubt that Google is fully functional with Android, and Apple is fully functional on iOS. And if they are all available, then they should be, as a developer.
However, even without discussing Windows 11 feature updates, I think Microsoft has put together a solid Windows offering.
There was a lot of new Windows stuff in Build
The view has been different since it became default in 2020. Even without Windows talk, there was talk of other products, with sessions like, “What’s new in OneNote,” “What’s new in Edge,” “What’s new in Outlook” and “What’s new in OneDrive “And so on. There aren’t any of those sessions anymore. Hopefully that will change when these events return to personal existence and there is real value to be delivered so that people can convince their superiors to provide the necessary resources to attend. Remember, when Build was in person, a ticket cost about $2,500, and that doesn’t include travel and accommodation.
But while new consumer-facing features weren’t discussed, the Windows news was actually pretty significant.
Arm64 is finally taken seriously
I’ve been a fan of the Windows on Arm concept since it was announced in December 2016. Windows traditionally runs primarily on x86 processors; The entire ecosystem is built on Intel. The idea of supporting the new architecture was exciting to me.
The start of the platform was slow. Qualcomm’s hardware wasn’t available until recently, but more importantly, Microsoft has always treated it like a second-class citizen. For example, when you first launch Windows on Arm computers, you can’t even compile a local app unless it’s UWP. Support for compiling Win32 applications as native came from Arm64 later. Another example is that x64 emulation support didn’t arrive until October 2021 when Windows 11 shipped.
Windows on Arm was a big part of Build’s announcements. Microsoft’s main title was something called Project Volterra, although the most important announcement to me was the Arm-original developer tool series. Along with other things like .NET 6, classic .NET Framework, VC++, and more that run natively on Arm, Microsoft will also release an Arm64 version of Visual Studio 2022. With the Windows subsystem for Android and Hyper-V already running, all something in place.
This is a big problem, because Visual Studio 2022 is one of the most complex applications Microsoft has to offer. The idea that Windows on Arm Machine could be all you need for software development is a wild one, and it shows a commitment from Microsoft.
Volterra project
This is where Project Volterra comes in. The Volterra is actually equipment. It’s a new development box from Microsoft that uses the Snapdragon processor, and that’s all we know. It’s not like the Arm64 development box that was announced last year. Last year’s Snapdragon 7c-powered development kit was dedicated to testing apps, not building them.
This is all about building AI experiences. Microsoft says that nearly all future PCs will have Neural Processing Units, such as those built into the Snapdragon chips. In combination with Azure using the new Hybrid Loop mode, developers will be able to use Volterra to build these new AI applications.
Qualcomm has been pushing the AI angle for Arm for a while now. In fact, the initial value proposition for Windows on Arm was cellular connectivity and battery life. But now, almost all base models of WOA PCs come with Wi-Fi only, and battery life isn’t delivered as promised. However, San Diego is constantly talking about how much better Intel is at AI tasks with its AI engine.
3rd party tools are coming
When Microsoft reintroduced the concept of tools with Windows 11, you could only use the tools they offered. Later this year, any developer will be able to create widgets in a Win32 application or PWA.
In one session, the company briefly indicated that it was exploring other places to display UI elements on Windows. This means we may see UI elements return to the desktop, similar to how the search bar was added in the recent Insider Preview build.
You can restore apps from Microsoft Store
It’s funny, because it’s starting to feel like everything new is already in an earlier version of Windows. One of the features that harkens back from the Windows 8 era is the ability to roll back apps on a fresh install of Windows 11.
Of course, this only applies to apps you’ve downloaded from the Microsoft Store. Windows can’t go and fetch Google Chrome for you, so you’ll have to deal with that on your own.
This is a feature that has been on mobile for a long time. When you go and upgrade your phone, it’s easy to install all your apps automatically. Now, Microsoft is trying to make it happen on Windows.
The good news is that anyone can put an app in the Microsoft Store now, with no modifications required. Microsoft also announced that it has eliminated the queue for Win32 applications.
Windows Subsystem for Android Enhancements
The Windows subsystem for Android is getting better. For one thing, it now runs on Android 12.1. However, the big news is that, along with the Amazon Appstore on Windows 11, it will be supported in five new countries.
While WSA is currently only available in the US, it is coming to France, Germany, Italy, Japan, and the UK. Unfortunately, the schedule is “before the end of the year”.
Ads in the Microsoft Store
Okay, so none of us are excited about ads, and that’s okay. The idea that Microsoft is investing in the Store still matters. It provides developers with innovations and opportunities to distribute their applications through its marketplace.
First of all, developers will be able to advertise their apps in the store, and you’ll need to be a published developer to be able to do that. This is a common thing in app markets and search engines.
There is also a new pop-up store feature on the web. This is where developers will be able to advertise their apps, possibly on their own website, and you can install it directly from there.
Finally, Microsoft Store listings will appear in Windows search results. This isn’t actually an ad, but it’s still a call to action to download an app.
To be clear, ads aren’t bad, and I say that because that’s probably the immediate reaction many of us have when we hear the word “advertisement.” Ads are essential to a thriving business ecosystem, so these are all good things.
Microsoft Build 2022 was exciting
Like I said, there was no talk about version 22H2 of Windows 11, or the features it would offer. That’s fine, although the timing would have lined up for that. But all in all, Microsoft Build 2022 has been an exciting proposition for a Windows enthusiast like me.
Microsoft has shown more interest in Windows on Arm than it has since the platform was introduced. In fact, it was introduced as a way to spark innovation from Intel, which was mostly producing outdated products at that point. But with Apple doing so well with Arm processors, it looks like a big investment is in order.
If you just want to know the next new features that are coming to Windows 11, this isn’t the show for you. But if you’re just a fan of the platform and where it’s headed, Build 2022 was great.
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