In a step up from Office 365, Microsoft has launched a subscription service for its Windows operating system.
Dubbed “Windows 365”, the platform will stream Windows 10 (and, later this year, Windows 11) to users, including their personal apps and settings across devices. It will initially be available for enterprise use to “organisations of all sizes”; there is no word as yet from Microsoft on whether Windows 365 will open up for consumer use.
According to Wangui McKelvey, General Manager, Microsoft 365, Windows 365 is a service designed for the modern hybrid workplace.
“Windows 365 takes the operating system to the Microsoft Cloud, securely streaming the full Windows experience – including all your apps, data, and settings – to your personal or corporate devices.
“This approach creates a fully new personal computing category, specifically for the hybrid world: the Cloud PC,” she said.
Introducing Windows 365.
The first Cloud PC for every organization on the planet. https://t.co/OdJEr3DApx #Windows365 pic.twitter.com/8poKUWqZPP
— Microsoft 365 (@Microsoft365) July 14, 2021
Windows 365 will offer instant on-boot access to users across a range of devices, including PC, Mac, Linux, iPad, and Android, says McKelvey.
“The Windows experience is consistent, no matter the device. You can pick up right where you left off, because the state of your Cloud PC remains the same, even when you switch devices.
“You can get the same work done on a laptop in a hotel room, a tablet from your car between appointments, or your desktop while you’re in the office,” she said.
The service is set to launch on August 2.