Microsoft ‘watches’ run Win32 programs on smartphones via Continuum

Microsoft is “looking into” the ability to run Win32 programs on smartphones through its Continuum system. For the time being, it is only possible to run so-called Universal Windows Platform apps via Continuum.

Kevin Gallo, Microsoft’s technical lead for the Universal Windows Platform, says the company would like to run Win32 programs on smartphones. “That would give users the full desktop experience,” Gallo said during a Q&A session at Microsoft’s Connect(); // 2015.

Running all older Windows programs on smartphones comes with challenges. “Then you have to deal with X86 and ARM and things like that,” Gallo said. Many Windows programs are compiled for the X86 instruction set of AMD and Intel processors, among others, and thus will not run on hardware with ARM processors, whereas all current Windows Phone and Windows 10 Mobile devices currently run on ARM processors .

In addition, there are problems with the way programs handle things like the registry on Windows machines. “You really don’t want your phone to become unstable because of that.” Gallo emphasizes that for now, Microsoft is focusing on applications built on Universal Windows Platform, making use of APIs that work on all variants of Windows.

Microsoft will introduce Continuum in the coming weeks in combination with the Lumia 950 and 950 XL, smartphones that support the technology. Continuum allows users to connect a large display, mouse and keyboard and use many apps with a custom desktop interface. Apps must have the necessary support on board for this, including Microsoft’s own Office apps.

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Audio clip from Kevin Gallo’s Q&A session about running Win32 programs with Continuum