In addition to Windows 11, Microsoft is secretly working on a new Windows PC experience called “Cloud PC” that allows business customers to run virtualized desktops in the cloud.
Cloud PC is reportedly Azure-based and uses Windows Virtual Desktop and remote desktop clients to stream a Windows desktop to any device.
However, Cloud PC will not replace any existing version of Windows or virtualization technology, but rather be used as an additional option for Microsoft 365 customers who want to access their cloud-based desktop from anywhere, anytime. .
According to reports, Microsoft could unveil the new Cloud PC during Inspire 2021 on July 14, whose keynote is heavily focused on Microsoft Cloud initiatives.
There is an Inspire talk titled “What’s Next in End-User Computingwhere attendees can “learn more about Microsoft’s latest cloud solution to enable hybrid working.”
As noted ZDNet, this session is moderated by Scott Manchester, Director of Program Management for Cloud Managed Desktops at Microsoft.
Cloud PC Features
According to earlier reports, Cloud PC will help users access their business applications and programs online from any device. This means it will be supported by all remote desktop apps and mobile apps, but you will need a Microsoft 365 account to access and subscribe to the service.
The company would work on three different tiers for the Cloud PC service:
- Mid Tier: 2 vCPUs, 4GB RAM, and 96GB SSD storage.
- Heavy Tier: 2 vCPUs, 8GB RAM, and 96GB SSD storage.
- Advanced level: 3 virtual processors, 8 GB of RAM and 40 GB of SSD storage.
Based on the information found by BleepingComputer, administrators will be able to upgrade their virtual desktops as needed with additional memory, processors, and storage.
The Cloud PC management console will also allow administrators to manage PCs to perform tasks, such as upgrading devices and performing reboots, resets, renames and Cloud PC diagnostics.
A screenshot found in the scripts used by the service is for the Windows 10 desktop, indicating that Cloud PC will likely launch with Windows 10, then add Windows 11 when available.
It’s unknown if Cloud PC will support Windows Virtual Desktop’s web browser client, but BleepingComputer has learned that the service will support the following Remote Desktop clients:
A leaked help document image illustrates using Remote Desktop to connect to the Cloud PC service.
According to a job posting, Microsoft’s “Cloud PC” aims to help administrators deploy and manage Windows PCs in the cloud through a web browser, mobile app or another PC.
Microsoft is already testing this service with a small group of organizations, and a public preview is expected to begin later this year.
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