Microsoft is about to transform the way we interact with our operating systems by relocating Windows 11 to the cloud.
According to recently disclosed internal documents, the tech giant is meticulously strategizing to move its latest operating system and prepare it for the future.
What once seemed like a far-fetched concept is rapidly becoming a reality as Microsoft progresses its mission to “enable a full Windows operating system streamed from the cloud to any device,” as reported by The Verge.
As part of Microsoft’s ongoing FTC hearing related to its Activision Blizzard acquisition, these internal documents exposed a very ambitious plan for the consumer space, which it calls Modern Life. The trillion-dollar giant will leverage the potential of the cloud to enhance AI-powered services and fully roam people’s digital experiences. This translates into a seamless, unified digital experience across multiple devices, powered by the cloud.
Microsoft’s Windows 365, a service that streams a full version of Windows to devices, was initially limited to its commercial customers. However, the potential deep integration of Windows 365 into Windows 11 indicates a significant shift in focus toward consumers. Key features, such as Windows 365 Boot and Windows 365 Switch, will transform the user experience. They will allow Windows 11 devices to log directly into a Cloud PC instance at boot and integrate Cloud PCs into the Task View feature, respectively.
The move toward a cloud-based operating system is also accompanied by Microsoft’s increased investment in custom silicon partnerships, fueling the development of its ARM-powered Surface Pro X devices. There’s ongoing speculation that Microsoft could be designing its own ARM-based processors and AI chips, further enhancing the performance of its cloud-based services.
The cloud’s immense potential isn’t new to Microsoft. Its cloud-based successes are evident in services such as Xbox Cloud Gaming and Microsoft Office. Extending this successful model to Windows aligns with Microsoft’s broader market push in recent years. The transformation could redefine the concept of “software as a service,” paving the way for a full operating system accessible on-demand, streamed to screens that require minimal hardware.
However, this ambitious plan isn’t without its challenges. While corporate customers are financially capable of securing a reliable, high-quality connection, such certainty doesn’t exist for consumers, even in developed nations. The prospect of losing full computer capability when moving away from a robust broadband connection could be a deterrent for some potential users.
Nevertheless, Microsoft seems undeterred, pressing forward with its cloud-based vision. The company recently announced Windows Copilot, an AI-powered assistant that summarizes, rewrites, and explains content within apps. The tool is a part of Microsoft’s broader AI push for Windows, emphasizing the company’s commitment to leveraging AI to reinvent how consumers use Windows.
Coincidentally, Microsoft’s move into the cloud, especially in cloud gaming, is part of the reason why regulators, like the UK’s CMA, are against its acquisition of Activision Blizzard.
