Microsoft Windows on any device via the Cloud

With so much focus on mobile devices, Microsoft's Windows operating system for PC has tended to be overlooked in recent years. After slight missteps with Windows 8 and Windows for Phone, Microsoft produced Windows 10 to much critical acclaim. It was designed to be cleaner, leaner and more productive while improving security too.

Microsoft has now announced two new developments in its Windows operating systems, Windows 11 and Windows 365. Is Windows 365 33 times better than its counterpart? No, much like Microsoft 365 brought the full range of office productivity apps to the web, so Windows 365 brings the company's operating system to the web.

This means that by using a modern web browser (or a device specific app built by Microsoft) on any device you can access a Windows desktop environment as if you were sat at a PC. Not only does this allow you to run Windows on an iMac or an iPad for example, but you can also run a second instance of Windows on a PC. This would allow colleagues to run a secure version of their work PC on their own computer.

Windows 365 is a Cloud PC

Windows 365 is the world's first Cloud PC and it securely streams your Windows desktop, apps, settings, and content from the Microsoft cloud to your device. With a Cloud PC, Windows develops from a device-based operating system to hybrid personalised computing. Businesses can choose whether a PC, with its locally installed OS, or a Cloud PC, with its cloud-based OS, is the best fit for a particular user or role.

With Windows 365, your whole PC is in the cloud. This allows you to access it on multiple devices and pick up where you left off knowing that you'll have all the correct apps and data held in a secure environment. "Windows 365 could be ideal for someone who works from multiple locations, contractors with their own devices or short-term staff. A business can quickly create a secure Cloud PC with all the necessary business software, data, security and permissions and make it available on a short- or long-term basis," explains Chris Joberns, Strident's Managing Director. "It provides a huge amount of flexibility."

Once you're logged in Windows 365 looks like Windows 10 and allows you to run all the Microsoft 365 applications such as Teams as well as install third-party software,like design and accounts packages.

Windows 11 is a operating system

Windows 11 is the replacement for Windows 10 OS. It is expected to be available on new PCs towards the end of this year and as an upgrade on Windows 10 PCs early in 2022. Featuring a modern new look that Microsoft claims will provide 'a calm and creative space where you can pursue your passions,' Windows 11 promises improvements in productivity, connectivity and security while be familiar enough not to upset long-term PC users.

If you're running Windows 365, you'll be able to upgrade from Windows 10 to 11. So that's Microsoft 365 running on Windows 11 running on Windows 365. Simple? It more straightforward than it sounds and we'd be happy to talk you through it.

 

For more information on getting more out of your IT systems, call Strident on 01473 835 280.