With Firefox Quantum, users can open numerous tabs to run web apps, while still having enough RAM available to
run traditional desktop apps like Microsoft Word and Adobe Photoshop.
Microsoft's argument is pretty simple: Use
traditional desktop apps on a PC with a keyboard and mouse, and universal Office apps on small tablets and smartphones.
It will also prevent Windows 10 Store apps from running in the background, something which will only help if you're using a lot of those apps instead
of traditional desktop apps.
Starting next year, Windows 10 will be able to
emulate traditional desktop apps, allowing device creators to build laptops, tablets, and phones that support the millions of existing applications in the Windows world.
With that power and the productivity enabled by split view multitasking and hardware keyboard support, the iPad Pro becomes a legitimate laptop replacement for those who value portability and flexibility even
over traditional desktop apps.
The key feature of Windows 10 S is that it will only run Microsoft - verified Windows Store apps,
including traditional desktop apps that have been converted via the Desktop Bridge toolset.
While traditional desktop apps can run in the background and control other apps, Modern apps aren't allowed to do things like take screenshots, scan other programs for viruses or run macros in them.
It's somewhat shocking that it's taken this long,
as traditional desktop apps have offered the ability for years, but Microsoft's adding a cool perk to make up for the tardiness.
While most of the Start Screen improvements are focused on the new Windows 8 - style apps, Microsoft is also now
allowing traditional desktop apps to use colorful tiles instead of just app icons, which should make everyone's Start Screen look a little nicer.
Windows RT couldn't
run traditional desktop apps, but it had a desktop mode and most of the regular Windows utilities that have existed for more than 25 years.
We don't know yet whether Universal apps will have all the functionality
of traditional desktop apps or be hobbled by the limitations that hold back today's Modern UI apps.
The version number alone is a big leap from Windows 7, and most of the default apps are new - style «universal apps,» not
traditional desktop apps.
You can also disable notifications for individual apps in a single standard place, even if they're
traditional desktop apps.
The message is pretty clear — use these apps on phones and small tablets, and use
the traditional desktop apps on desktop PCs.
Traditional desktop apps are available for keyboard - and - mouse, and universal apps are available for touch.
The Metro versions of Office 2016 are all called «Mobile» versions to encourage you to not use them and get
the traditional desktop apps instead.
This list shows Windows system features, Store apps, and
traditional desktop apps that can send notifications.
Traditional desktop apps all run at the same time.
Windows - based pro tablets such as Microsoft's Surface Pro allow you to run almost
any traditional desktop app, but the desktop - class operating system isn't yet optimized for tablet use — it carries a higher risk of malware and sometimes stumbles at touchscreen or stylus input.
Windows 8 apps — originally known as Metro - style apps and now known as Windows 8 style, Modern UI style, or Windows Store style apps, depending on which Microsoft employee you ask — are very different from
traditional desktop apps.
Four years ago, Microsoft wanted to ditch
its traditional desktop apps in favor of new touch - based apps for tablets with ARM processors.
Sunrise, like other offline Chrome apps, functions much like
a traditional desktop app — it can be pinned to the taskbar or dock and even runs in its own window.
The Windows 8 - style applications become a lot more usable in this mode, especially when you mix them with
traditional desktop apps.
Windows RT launched and looked like Windows, but it didn't run
traditional desktop apps.
RT was a messy and confusing experiment that included a desktop mode that couldn't run
traditional desktop apps, and Microsoft will be keen to avoid any issues again.
Instead, Microsoft is trying to convince developers to get
their traditional desktop apps listed in the Windows Store.
This type of device could also run
traditional desktop apps, thanks to Windows 10's upcoming emulation software.
While it looks like the Windows 10 desktop, there are some subtle differences, and
traditional desktop apps won't run here.