Microsoft’s success in the cloud industry has prompted the company to explore a similar model for its flagship operating system, Windows. The company envisions a future where users pay an annual subscription for Windows and access it directly from the cloud, eliminating the need for local installations. However, shifting to a cloud-based Windows presents potential challenges, particularly for non-technical users without dedicated IT support.
Microsoft’s internal presentation outlines its ambition to leverage Windows 365, a cloud-based version of Windows designed for businesses and enterprises. Windows 365 allows users to stream Windows, along with apps, data, content, and settings, to any device. This seamless experience ensures consistency across different devices, enabling users to continue their work seamlessly. IT departments oversee Windows 365 in organizations, providing technical support and troubleshooting for network and loading issues.
Bringing Windows 365 to consumers ties in with Azure AI roadmap
Microsoft aims to extend the Windows 365 model to general consumers, envisioning a cloud-based family subscription that offers benefits like live homework assistance for parents. While the pricing model for a consumer version of Windows 365 is yet to be finalized, discussions around a $10 monthly subscription fee have emerged. Microsoft’s massive user base, with over 1 billion Windows users worldwide, presents a significant revenue potential if even a small percentage subscribes to Windows 365.
Microsoft’s AI platform, Azure AI, offers infrastructure optimized and purposely built for running large AI models that are ushering in a new era of productivity and creativity. Microsoft is committed to building Azure into an AI supercomputer for the world, serving as the foundation of our vision to democratize AI as a platform. Microsoft pushed the frontier of cloud supercomputing technology, announcing their first top-5 supercomputer in 2020, and subsequently constructing multiple AI supercomputing systems at massive scale.
They are currently fine-tuning their purpose-built, AI-optimized infrastructure capability in partnership with OpenAI to train and deploy OpenAI’s family of models for research advancement and developer production. This infrastructure is now available to all Azure customers.
Challenges and concerns
However, several challenges must be addressed before a cloud-based Windows becomes feasible. Unlike ChromeOS, Windows was not initially designed for the cloud, which may result in a less seamless user experience. Windows’ versatility and compatibility with legacy software have made it a robust desktop operating system, but these strengths can be hindrances in the cloud environment. Additionally, the question arises of how non-technical consumers would handle issues if something goes wrong with the cloud-based Windows, as Windows users often encounter frustrating glitches and problems.
Windows users, even those familiar with the operating system, often encounter unresolved issues that can impede productivity. For example, numerous users reported Wi-Fi connectivity problems that persisted despite extensive troubleshooting efforts. Such issues, along with occasional slowdowns, network glitches, and other PC oddities, could render a cloud-based version of Windows unusable. While businesses have dedicated IT support to address these problems, individual users lack the luxury of immediate assistance.
The decision dilemma
Given these challenges, it remains uncertain whether consumers would be willing to pay for a cloud-based Windows that could be less reliable than the current free version. The success of Microsoft’s vision depends on its ability to overcome the existing limitations of Windows in the cloud and provide an experience that surpasses the current offering.
Microsoft’s consideration of a cloud-based Windows subscription model reflects the company’s focus on leveraging its success in the cloud industry. While a cloud-based Windows offers benefits like increased security and streamlined onboarding for businesses, its viability for general consumers remains uncertain. Challenges related to the inherent complexities of Windows and the lack of immediate technical support for non-technical users may hinder its adoption. Microsoft must address these concerns and offer a reliable and seamless cloud-based Windows experience before convincing consumers to embrace this new paradigm.
