According to the recruitment information of the company's chief software engineering manager, Microsoft is exploring a new business model for Windows. Microsoft hopes that the project manager can shape a new future for a low-cost Windows 11 computer powered by advertising and subscriptions (Windows 365?)
Before we discuss Microsoft's new low-cost PC plan, we need to understand Windows 365 -- Redmond's new PC-as-a-service product, which allows users to stream virtual Windows desktops to any device they have. Windows 365 is a virtualization service, a new way to experience the operating system with a paid subscription.
Windows 365 does not depend on local storage or hardware specifications. It can stream applications from cloud storage, allowing users to stream their applications, settings and the entire desktop to any connected device, such as Windows, macOS, Linux, and Google Android systems.
Windows 365 opens up a large number of opportunities for merchants and businesses, providing a cost-effective strategy for businesses. According to the job information, Microsoft hopes to build a "low-cost PC available through advertising and subscriptions." This seems to indicate that consumers will be able to buy low-cost computers, but they will see more ads in the operating system. In addition to subscriptions, this could also be a new revenue stream for tech giants. "[The] team will work with the product management and design departments to conceive and build new experiences to work with the task of bringing cloud-first experiences to Windows, create prototypes to validate early thinking, and use ongoing customer data and research to validate our ideas." The
recruitment information further demonstrates that Microsoft is planning to expand its Windows strategy and explore new business opportunities through a combination of software and low-cost PCs.
According to ZDNet's Mary Jo Foley's report in 2021, Windows 365 is internally called "Deschutes", and reports about the service first appeared in 2020. Later, some leaks, rumors and recruitment information confirmed the existence of virtualization services under the Windows brand.
Microsoft officially announced Windows 365 in July 2021, and later updated Windows 11. For those who don't know, Windows 365 is built on top of Azure virtual desktops. However, Windows 365 is not the same as traditional virtualization. It simplifies the virtualization experience and allows Microsoft to manage everything, including cloud hardware and Windows updates.
It is worth mentioning that Windows 365 is not a replacement for traditional PCs. It is a new and simple way to use Windows as thin client by running the desktop operating system in the cloud.
To some extent, Windows 365 can help companies reduce hardware costs and still provide employees with all the features, including access to the applications and services they need.
