Microsoft has moved much of Windows to the cloud with Windows 365, especially on the commercial side, but the software giant wants to do the same for consumers as well. In an internal presentation from last June, Microsoft discusses building on “Windows 365 and enabling a full Windows operating system streamed from the cloud to any device,” reports The Verge.
The presentation has emerged as part of the ongoing case between the company and the US equivalent of the Competition Authority, the FTC, regarding the planned purchase of Activision Blizzard.
Moving Windows 11 to the cloud is identified as a long-term opportunity that includes using “the power of the cloud and clients to enable improved ai-assisted services” and give users a freer digital experience. On one side of the presentation, Microsoft also talks about meeting the threat of Chromebooks.
Windows 365 is a service that streams a full version of Windows to devices, but so far it’s only available to commercial customers. Microsoft has already integrated the service deeply into Windows 11. An update will also bring Windows 365 Boot, which lets users log in directly to a cloud computer without detouring through a local version of Windows.
Nowhere does the presentation mention anything about the company wanting to phase out its on-premises operating system.