Based on Windows 365, Microsoft plans to run Windows 11 in the cloud. This is how Microsoft aims to provide the operating system with improved AI services more easily.
In the enterprise sector, Windows has increasingly migrated to the cloud, where, for example, with Windows 365, the operating system, applications, data, and settings are no longer stored locally on a PC. Microsoft plans to do the same with Windows 11 for end-users and private individuals, as revealed in an internal presentation from June 2022. "Building on Windows 365, the entire Windows operating system will be streamable from the cloud to any device," it says.
The presentation became known within the context of the current proceedings by the US Federal Trade Commission (FTC) against Microsoft regarding the acquisition of Activision Blizzard. The FTC is investigating Microsoft's gaming strategy and how it affects other business areas of the company. While the EU has approved the acquisition of Activision Blizzard, the FTC still has concerns. Therefore, the FTC has requested injunctions against both companies, as the US regulator fears a sudden acquisition of Activision Blizzard by Microsoft.
Cloud Windows following the 365 model
In the presentation, Microsoft explains its "strategies and priorities of modern life," as evidenced by excerpts reported by The Verge. As a "long-term important opportunity," it is mentioned to increasingly shift Windows 11 to the cloud. The power of the cloud and client is intended to be leveraged to enable improved AI-powered services everywhere. Windows 365, Microsoft's cloud-based operating system for business customers, is supposed to serve as the foundation.
With the recently available "Windows 365 Boot" feature in public preview, PCs can be configured to start Microsoft's cloud desktop directly after login. Previously, users had to manually access the service from the local system. However, participation in the Windows Insider Program (Dev Channel) is required. With this, Windows 365 no longer requires a local desktop, and users can access 'their' Windows from anywhere on various devices.
Custom Silicon: Microsoft's Own Chips
According to the presentation, Microsoft also plans to develop its own processors to ensure the competitiveness of the entire Windows ecosystem and Surface products. This will be achieved through investments and partnerships. This move is likely in response to the competition posed by Chromebooks, which gained significant traction during the coronavirus pandemic. Chromebook sales had more than doubled at one point. Google's ChromeOS also relies heavily on the cloud to keep hardware requirements low.
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