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Microsoft moves one step closer to Windows-as-a-Service through Azure
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Published onJuly 20, 2020
published onJuly 20, 2020
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Microsoft is one step closer to what many have suspected would be a move to elongate the revenue viability of Windows as PC sales have declined for nearly a decade, thanks to Azure.
According to a report from journalist Mary Jo Foley,Microsoft plans to bring a virtualized Windows PC experienceto the enterprise as soon as Spring 2021.
Microsoft is currently calling the coming virtualization service “Cloud PC.” Cloud PC won’t replace locally installed Windows (and Office) — for the foreseeable future, anyway. It will be an option for customers who want to use their own Windows PCs made by Microsoft and/or other PC makers basically like thin clients, with Windows, Office and potentially other software delivered virtually by Microsoft.
Foley cites arecent job listing for a program manager for Microsoft’s CloudPC team as an additional triangulate point to support the claim that the company is moving quickly tointroduce a Windows-as-a-Service solutionfor businesses.
At the heart of this new move is a strategy to “allow organizations to stay current in a more simplistic and scalable manner,” as well as allow Microsoft to add additional features and value to a growing Microsoft 365 monthly subscription while leveraging its massive Azure investment.
Bundle this approach with itscurrent Microsoft Managed Desktop initiativeand businesses can begin to reduce their reliance on IT staffing as Microsoft would handle device configuration, security monitoring corporate app deployment, analytics, and end-user support as part of a single or streamlined subscription model with Azure as the carrot instead of Windows.
Microsoft has slowly been moving towards this approach dating back as far back as 2014 through today with offerings such as Windows E3, E5, Microsoft Managed Desktop (MMD) Office 365, and now Microsoft 365 as new subscription-based implementations of its flagship software and solutions.
Microsoft hasn’t publicly committed to a timeline on its new virtual PC solution but sources close to the matter are indicating that the company may be ready to roll it out Spring of 2021.
Kareem Anderson
Networking & Security Specialist
Kareem is a journalist from the bay area, now living in Florida. His passion for technology and content creation drives are unmatched, driving him to create well-researched articles and incredible YouTube videos.
He is always on the lookout for everything new about Microsoft, focusing on making easy-to-understand content and breaking down complex topics related to networking, Azure, cloud computing, and security.
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Kareem Anderson
Networking & Security Specialist
He is a journalist from the bay area, now living in Florida. He breaks down complex topics related to networking, Azure, cloud computing, and security
