Microsoft's AI-Powered OS Prototype Aion Ditches Local Apps for Cloud

A leaked Microsoft video shows an operating system prototype called Aion, where Copilot replaces the desktop. The OS, built on an internal lightweight Windows codebase called Win3, uses a modified version of Microsoft Edge as its shell.

There are no desktop icons or normal Start menu in Aion. Instead, users interact with the OS by asking Copilot for tasks and activities, which behave like apps. Legacy apps are handled through Windows 365 instead of running natively on the local machine.

The demo shows Spaces, a feature that groups related apps, files, chats, and websites around a goal or task, making it easier to manage complex projects.

However, critics argue that Aion's reliance on Copilot and Microsoft 365 raises concerns about vendor lock-in and the loss of local control over the user experience. The prototype is old enough to be shelved, but recent enough to raise questions about Microsoft's plans for Windows and AI integration.