The future of Windows as a Cloud Service.

[Windwalker]

In the not too distant future, Windows will become a "service", hosted in the cloud. You will no longer have to load a full Windows on your machine. They have been working on this, for the last, maybe, 4 years or more. Office 365 I think, was the test bed, charging a subscription to the Office Suite. Currently, this is for businesses or enterprise level, but the code for the basic connecting launcher has been seen in some updates on regular users Window installations.

 

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Windows 365 is a service that streams a full version of Windows to devices. So far, it’s been limited to just commercial customers, but Microsoft has been deeply integrating it into Windows 11 already. A future update will include Windows 365 Boot, which will enable Windows 11 devices to log directly in to a Cloud PC instance at boot instead of the local version of Windows. Windows 365 Switch is also built into Windows 11 to integrate Cloud PCs into the Task View (virtual desktops) feature.

https://www.theverge.com/2023/6/27/23775117/microsoft-windows-11-cloud-consumer-strategy

 

How to explain it:

Microsoft will essentially become a hosting company. Each subscriber, will get, for a simpler term, a "virtual" machine on MS cloud. You will sign in to windows cloud, where your little slice of the cloud (server) is located, using your MS account, or make one. That is why there was a push to force MS accounts on new installations. 

 

There are some great advantages for the average user, who just surfs the internet, or social media. When Windows is cloud based, you will have a program on your machine, that you launch, just like your browser. It will connect to your subscription, and then you access Windows there. I'm pointing out some pluses that most will enjoy or like. Then I'll do the negative side that paranoid techies point out. 

 

If I'm incorrect in any of this information, anyone can chime in, and give more accurate information, or corrections. 

 

Windows in the cloud good points:

• Users will no longer have to install full windows on their machine. Windows will be on your cloud machine, probably along with your programs that you install (apps). This will also cut down on having to defrag hard drives as much.
• Those that enjoy a small computer footprint, and less technical wrangling when things go wrong, may appreciate it. You will be able (if you wish) to purchase a mini computer that will allow you to connect to Windows, it will have a small to moderate (depending on options) of memory and storage, about like a tablet. Last I heard, the tiny computer, runs around $395. From what I can gather, your virtual windows will have malware security through windows' defender. You may be able to install other ones, I'm not sure.

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   Note the different Windows Logo

   

• You will still be able to save your sensitive files on the mini machine, or thumb drive if you prefer, and not in the cloud on your virtual windows. One caveat, remember that new Windows installs now automatically turn on One Drive, and scan/upload your basic directories, like downloads and documents and other basic Windows folders. So if you want to control that, You might have to store, or remove your files from those folders, before making that switch to the cloud. If you don't want them in the cloud.
• You should be able to log in to your Windows from anywhere there is a connection, using your MS account. More information can be found here. Windows 365 
• You no longer have to worry about updates. MS will update the cloud machines.

 

Cons I can possibly see,

• Will MS want to restrict you to just the app store? Unknown at this point.
• Will they provide a backup service? Or let you reinstall from a simple interface.
• Will restoring your virtual cloud machine cost?
• If the MS server hosting your Windows goes down, as it has for businesses in times past, it may leave you with no access, much like if the forum here, goes down, you can't get in to post etc. Of course, we have the same problem for us, if our cable goes out, so that is expected.

 

Please give comments, corrections, or more information you may have  --Ron

 

 

 

[Laidback]

Thanks Ron, great information,  it sounds remarkably similar to Google's Chromebook platform.  I'm wondering if users with older Windows 10 PCs will be able to upgrade to the online platform software ?   If all you basically need is a box with new software,  there's millions of them out there that would work ,  download the new OS and install.   

 

From HP,  a comparison between a Chromebook and Laptop.   Chromebook vs Windows Laptop: Key Differences Explained (2024)

[lightfootfan]

Will this be forced on users?  How much will it cost the individual user?  Will MS be selling advertising blocks to companies?

[Windwalker]

7 hours ago, Laidback said:

Thanks Ron, great information,  it sounds remarkably similar to Google's Chromebook platform.  I'm wondering if users with older Windows 10 PCs will be able to upgrade to the online platform software ?   If all you basically need is a box with new software,  there's millions of them out there that would work ,  download the new OS and install.   

 

From HP,  a comparison between a Chromebook and Laptop.   Chromebook vs Windows Laptop: Key Differences Explained (2024)

It is. It's also like this forum software. They have a plan, or cloud version. You pay a monthly fee, and they provide the program in the cloud, they keep it updated, and scanned. 

 

Good question, Laidbck. As far as I can tell. All your machine needs, is a program that is a connection type that takes your MS ID and logs you into your virtual machine, which would be, whatever the current version is they provide. The handy thing, will be you can use any OS, to access your Windows 365 on your cloud service. The only thing you need, is the launching program, and browser.It works just like gmail. You connect to the internet, open gmail, and handle everything there from your browser. 

 

3 hours ago, lightfootfan said:

Will this be forced on users?  How much will it cost the individual user?  Will MS be selling advertising blocks to companies?

Forced? Probably at some point. They will probably give that extended support for Windows 10 that they have offered. Then it may be mandatory, if you want your Windows in the cloud. 

 

Cost? I'm not sure. I think it will be like the present Windows 365 more than likely. 

https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-365/buy/compare-all-microsoft-365-products

[Cheyenne]

The way I look at "things", I want to be in control of ALL my stuff.  To this day, I purposely do NOT save to the Cloud.  I don't like "others" that I don't trust handling my stuff.  And, also, if those Cloud servers go down?   I don't even want to think about it.

 

[Laidback]

The cloud servers have redundancy,  most home PCs don't.  How many images and backups do you have ? Can you reinstall your software if your PC crashes tomorrow, do you know how ?  I'm  just asking, but I'll bet 95% of computer users haven't a clue.  Fixit shops are in business due to users not taking the time or effort to even learn the basics of using repair and emergency tools that are resident on their PCs.

[Cheyenne]

21 hours ago, Laidback said:

The cloud servers have redundancy, 

What is the meaning?  I don't understand. 

 

21 hours ago, Laidback said:

  How many images and backups do you have ?

2 backups.  Images - what is on backups.

 

21 hours ago, Laidback said:

Can you reinstall your software if your PC crashes tomorrow, do you know how ? 

Yes; I know how. 

 

You asked some great questions.  Thank you.  Anything else I need to know??  I'm willing to learn!

 

[Laidback]

If you know how to reinstall or get your data back from a crash, you're head and shoulders above most users.  My use of the word redundancy was probably not the best term in this instance, I  would rephrase it as safeguard or protection.  

[Cheyenne]

Thank you.  I've been working with puters starting with DOS (if I may brag a little), didn't like LOTUS, and wrote my own web page using HTML  -  cableguymom.com           Didn't use a web design company or even DreamWeaver (remember that?).

 

However, I do need to be cautious for two reasons.  1) new technology that is indeed an asset/helpful; and 2) having some memory issues, forgetting some important reinstall steps. 

 

So, I'll always be keeping up with CountryDepot's questions and recommendations. 

 

Cloud8 was a wonderful website in helping, also, back when.

 

 

[lightfootfan]

I started with DOS too.

Cloudeight is still a good site.  Although, everything there is geared for Windows.

7 hours ago, Laidback said:

If you know how to reinstall or get your data back from a crash, you're head and shoulders above most users.

Would a boot USB and Timeshift suffice?

[Windwalker]

2 hours ago, lightfootfan said:

Would a boot USB and Timeshift suffice?

Linux: Sure! for most problems.

NOTE: If a drive has a mechanical failure, there's not much you can yourself do. 

• Boot up using a bootable USB containing maybe Linux MX that you have made prior.
• When MX launches, go to the menu and look for TimeShirt. 
• Launch TimeShift, browse to where you were storing your backups. 
• Select the backup you wish, hit "Restore". The program will run just like Windows Restore, and reboots your computer when done. 

It would benefit many Window users as well, to learn how to boot from a USB thumb drive. 

If your Windows installation were to crash, and you couldn't boot up any longer. Having a bootable USB windows repair thumb drive may help. But you need to know how to boot from it. If your Windows boot USB says it can't repair the installation, then stop and try to rescue your files.

 

Rescue your files

If you have a bootable Linux thumb drive, you could, at least, access all your important files before sending it to a shop, where they may get erased during a repair. The fairly simple steps are;

• Insert the bootable USB
• Turn on your machine, get into the BIOS or boot settings, your computer will generally tell you which keys to tap for this.
• Let it boot from the thumb drive, which would load a simple Linux OS. It changes nothing on your machine, it runs all from the USB.
• Then use the file manager provided by Linux, to browse for your files, and copy them to another storage medium (external drive, USB, etc.) Then send off your computer, knowing you have your important files.

Questions, corrections, other tips welcome.

[lightfootfan]

Finding my bootable USB is another story....