Microsoft’s Windows 10 design refresh revealed in leaked screenshots

Microsoft is currently planning to refresh its Windows 10 user interface elements in an update that will arrive later this year. The software giant will make more use of animations, and visual blurring elements from the Aero Glass era of Windows Vista and Windows 7 in what’s described internally as Project Neon. MSPoweruser has obtained screenshots of concept ideas that Microsoft is currently experimenting with after Windows Central reported on Project Neon last year. The concepts include the ability to blur parts of the navigation areas of apps.

Microsoft is reportedly introducing a new component branded “Acrylic” to the overall Windows 10 design, which will act as a method for developers to further customize the appearance of their universal apps. Project Neon also focuses on Microsoft’s efforts with 3D and HoloLens, tweaking UI elements in places where you interact with a mouse pointer.

Most of the changes appear to be minor additions that will simply progress the Windows 10 design, rather than a grand overhaul. Microsoft will likely detail some of these design changes at its Build developers conference in May, just a month after it’s expected to release the Windows 10 Creators Update to existing users. Microsoft is planning another big update to Windows 10 later this year with these new design elements and support for ARM chipsets running full Windows 10 desktop apps.