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posted by martyb on Tuesday July 28 2020, @03:59AM   Printer-friendly
from the if-you-can-game-remotely,-why-not-work-that-way,-too? dept.

Microsoft is Working on an Azure-Powered Cloud PC service:

Microsoft is building a new desktop-as-a-service offering built on top of Windows Virtual Desktop that could launch as soon as 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.

[...] "Microsoft Cloud PC is a strategic, new offering that is built on top of Windows Virtual Desktop to delivering Desktop as a Service. At its core, Cloud PC provides business customers a modern, elastic, cloud-based Windows experience and will allow organizations to stay current in a more simplistic and scalable manner," the job description says.

Microsoft is planning to make Cloud PC a Microsoft-365-powered experience that is managed by Microsoft and sold for a flat per user price, the job description says. This pricing piece is key. Windows Virtual Desktop pricing revolves around Azure consumption. Cloud PC sounds like it will be available for a set subscription fee.

Microsoft had dropped a few hints recently that it was looking to create some kind of virtualized PC management experience. In February, Scott Manchester, who had been Group Program Manager for Windows Virtual Desktop, took on a new role as Group Program Manager for "Cloud Managed Desktops." I'm guessing that this team, along with Windows engineering, are the ones honing the Cloud PC vision and deliverables.

[...] Microsoft also currently offers a service called the Microsoft Managed Desktop (MMD), which is a subscription offering under which Microsoft sets up, updates and manages business users' Windows 10 PCs for a fee. MMD includes Microsoft 365 (specifically, Windows 10 Enterprise E3 and Office 365 ProPlus); Windows Autopilot; and select Windows 10 hardware. Microsoft does the device configuration, security monitoring and remediation, app deployment, update management, desktop analytics and 24-by-7 end-user support. This is a service that is only used by certain large enterprise customers at this time.


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  • (Score: 4, Insightful) by Anonymous Coward on Tuesday July 28 2020, @07:57AM

    by Anonymous Coward on Tuesday July 28 2020, @07:57AM (#1027530)

    Well you have to admit that it's a lot more convenient for Microsoft to track everything you do on their servers, as opposed to tracking everything you do on your home machine.

    Also, once you're identified as one of those nogoodniks who have doubleplusungood thoughts, it'll be much easier to inject the child porn into your virtual desktop, rather than having the forensic investigators put it on your home computer after it's physically seized. The courts will appreciate having the case, and you, just handed to them.

    Just another advance in efficiency in our glorious new future, citizen!

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