Windows Longhorn’s Lost Gems: Features We Still Want Today

Windows Longhorn, set for a 2005 release, was a bold attempt to follow Windows XP. However, it faced huge challenges and was eventually scrapped, leading to the 2006 launch of Windows Vista. Longhorn had exciting features like a new file system, WinFS, which aimed to replace File Explorer. This system would have let users search files using simple queries. Unfortunately, WinFS was too ambitious and was dropped. Bringing WinFS back could enhance search and privacy in Windows 11. The Sidebar, another Longhorn feature, made its debut in Windows Vista but was later deprecated. It allowed users to add widgets, or 'Gadgets', to their desktop for quick access to info and settings. While Windows 11 has widgets, they’re not as accessible as they could be. Reviving the Sidebar could make widgets more useful in daily tasks. Longhorn also proposed a task-focused interface that would adapt to the user’s current task, like writing a report or using File Explorer. It would show relevant options and files on the fly. This feature was scrapped due to its complexity but could work well with AI tools in Windows 11, making task management smarter. Microsoft had big plans for Longhorn, but many features didn’t make it to Vista. Some, like WinFS and the task-focused interface, still hold great potential. It’s hoped that Microsoft will revisit these ideas in the future.