Microsoft Sees Cloud-Based Windows 11 as a Long-Term Goal
Microsoft views running Windows 11 from the cloud as a long-term priority, according to an internal presentation revealed during the trial over its bid to acquire Activision Blizzard.
The document(Opens in a new window) is dated June 2022, and covers the company’s goals for a variety of businesses, including gaming, search, and advertising. But as The Verge reports(Opens in a new window), it also mentions Microsoft’s overarching priorities for Windows 11. One slide about “Long Term Needle-Moving Opportunities” says “Move Windows 11 increasingly to the Cloud."
Microsoft has already enabled this capability for Windows 365, which the company introduced in 2021. It lets you run Windows 11 from the cloud to a device such as a lower-spec PC, tablet, or smartphone, but the service is currently geared for commercial businesses.
That could change. The company’s internal presentation says Microsoft wants to expand Windows 365. “Build on Windows 365 to enable a full Windows operating system streamed from the cloud to any device. Use the power of the cloud and client to enable improved AI-powered services and full roaming of people’s digital experience," it says.
A separate slide in the presentation adds: “Our ambition is to be the world's computer. We want to transition from being the trusted public cloud for enterprises to becoming the trusted, ubiquitous cloud to edge platform for all organizations and all applications.”
The news may concern consumers since a cloud-based Windows experience could force users to pay a recurring fee for the OS. It would also require the same PC to be online at all times.
Microsoft didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment. But it’s important to note the presentation was made a year ago
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