We’ve seen various ‘lite’ versions of Windows over the years, from Windows 10 S to Windows RT versions. Now Microsoft is leveraging Windows Core OS, which strips the OS down to its bare essentials, to create an all-new lighter Windows, but don’t call it Windows just yet.

A new report from Petri says Microsoft is now working on a new OS which is currently simply named ‘Lite’. Interestingly, the report says it “may not actually be Windows” because of how different the development approach is. Microsoft is targeting Chromebooks. The report also adds it may not be called Windows at all.

That’s about the most bizarre and unexpected thing we have read all year, but Petri says the latest Windows 10 Insider Builds and Windows SDK has plenty of evidence of Lite.

Further the report says, Lite is only designed to run progressive web apps, and Universal Windows Platform apps, which means you can only use the Microsoft Store and web apps on the OS.

In fact, Microsoft is boldly leaving out enterprise and any business use case, and Petri says you might not even be able to buy a copy of Lite, like you could other versions of Windows.

“The goal of Windows Lite is to make it super lightweight, instant on, always connected, and can run on any type of CPU”

The timing of the news is peculiar as Qualcomm has officially unveiled the Snapdragon 855, which we know will be able to run Windows significantly better than the 835, or 850 and will also be more power efficient. With an OS and applications tailored for such an environment, we expect Windows Lite to be a really snappy experience.

The question as always remain whether OEMs would be enthusiastic about yet another attempt by Microsoft to create a light version of Windows. It may already have planned amazing new hardware to show off its potential, as hinted by rumors about Andromeda and foldable Surface PCs.

There are no guarantees of success. Android support on Chrome OS has brought in tons of success for manufacturers, especially in markets in developing countries such as India and in the education sector. Both of these will obviously be key targets for Microsoft too, given that these are real growth areas for the PC industry.