Microsoft’s Working for a Completely Online Cloud Based Windows OS

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As technology continues to advance at a rapid pace, Microsoft is setting its sights on a fully cloud-based future for its Windows operating system. The tech giant has been increasingly moving Windows to the cloud on the commercial side with Windows 365 and now aims to extend this cloud-first approach to consumers.

Windows 365, a service that streams a full version of Windows to devices, has so far been limited to commercial customers. However, the Redmond-based company has already begun deeply integrating it into Windows 11. Future updates will include Windows 365 Boot, which will enable Windows 11 devices to directly log in to a Cloud PC instance at boot, bypassing the local version of Windows. Moreover, the incorporation of Windows 365 Switch in Windows 11 will further integrate Cloud PCs into the Task View feature, enhancing the virtual desktops experience.

The shift towards a cloud-based Windows system doesn’t stop at software. Microsoft is also investing in custom silicon partnerships, a move that has been evidenced by its ARM-powered Surface Pro X devices. Reports have also suggested that the company is exploring the design of its own ARM-based processors for servers and potentially even Surface devices. More recent rumors indicate that Microsoft may be developing its own AI chips, suggesting a potential convergence of cloud and AI technologies in the company’s future plans.

The company’s internal presentation also highlighted the need to “shore up Windows commercial value and respond to Chromebook threat” for its “Modern Work” priorities in its 2022 financial year. The long-term opportunities on the commercial side include increasing the usage of cloud PCs with Windows 365.

In line with this vision, Microsoft recently announced Windows Copilot, an AI-powered assistant for Windows 11. This assistant is designed to summarize content in apps, rewrite it, or even explain it to users. Currently being tested internally, it is expected to be rolled out more broadly to Windows 11 users soon. This represents a part of a broader AI push for Windows, suggesting a future where AI will play an increasingly significant role in shaping the user experience.

Microsoft’s move to transition Windows fully to the cloud, therefore, is not just about changing the platform. It’s about creating a new, comprehensive digital experience for users – one that harnesses the power of the cloud and AI to reshape the way we interact with our devices. This marks a major shift in Microsoft’s strategy and underlines the company’s vision to leading the cloud and ai based tech industry into the future.