Microsoft is investigating whether it's possible to also run classical Windows desktop software (Win32) on smartphones with Windows 10 using the Continuum feature that converts the phone to a regular PC.
Microsoft's Kevin Gallo, Director of Program Management for the Windows Developer Platform team for Windows 10, has said this during the Microsoft Connect 2015 event. The Continuum feature allows users to connect their smartphone to a monitor and keyboard through a special connector. Because the smartphone runs a full fledged version of Windows 10 it can then be used like a desktop PC.
When Continuum is used only apps from the Windows Store can be installed and run. Windows apps that are published outside the Windows Store, such as applications developed for Windows 7, don't work.
According to Gallo it will be hard to get it done, but Microsoft nevertheless wants to try make it possible. A challenge will be to make sure that older apps don't make smartphones unstable, according to Gallo. Therefore Microsoft prefers that software developers develop for the Universal Windows Platform and make their applications available in the Windows Store.
