Microsoft Finally Announces the Windows 365 Cloud PC

Published 7 hours ago

You'll soon be able to access a Windows PC from any supported browser... and yes, Windows 11 is an option.

Ever since the end of 2020, we've had hints, leaks, and teasers that Microsoft was going to offer a cloud PC service for Windows. Now, the software giant has finally spilled all the beans, and it all came one day earlier than we expected.

Microsoft Windows 365: A Computer on the Internet

Microsoft announced the new service, called "Windows 365," during its Inspire event. You can watch the trailer for Windows 365 on the Microsoft Inspire website, even if you didn't attend the main event. Microsoft has also released an official product page on the Windows 365 website.

What makes Windows 365 so interesting is how easy it is to connect to it. Some cloud-based PCs require you to download and install special software to view the PC's desktop. Windows 365, however, runs right in your browser.

This may not sound particularly huge, but it's a big step for cloud PC enthusiasts. Because it doesn't require special software to run, you can theoretically access Windows 365 on anything with a supported browser on it. macOS, Android, even a Raspberry Pi; the possibilities are vast.

Not only that, but Windows 365 will support the brand-new Windows 11. If Windows 11's system requirements haven't played nice with your PC, this would be an excellent way to get your hands on Microsoft's newest operating system.

This is incredibly good news for businesses. Beforehand, if a company wanted more PCs to work with, they'd need to spend some time getting them all set up. With Windows 365, all they need to do now is prod Microsoft for cloud PCs and they'll get as many as they need within minutes.

That's not to say that Windows 365 is all business, though. Microsoft also wants people like you to hop on and experience what it's like to have a cloud PC. It's essentially like owning a second PC, except you can access it from anything with a browser and an internet connection.

It may not seem like a big deal, but a cloud PC can be really convenient. No more sharing those holiday pictures and videos from a USB stick at your friend's house; just put them on the cloud PC and log into it on your friend's big screen to start the presentation.

We don't know all the fine workings of Windows 365 just yet, but we do know that Microsoft will release the service on August 2, 2021. We'll just have to wait and see what kind of hardware will be available, and how much per month it will cost.

Your Next Windows PC Is Up in the Cloud

Microsoft has been teasing a new cloud service for over half a year now, but the company has finally delivered. It's going to be an exciting few weeks as we find out what it will take to get a Windows 11 PC running in the cloud.

If you haven't kept up-to-date with Windows 11, there are plenty of good and bad things about it that are worth knowing before you make the jump. For example, fans of Cortana will find the chirpy assistant eerily absent from the next generation of Windows.