Image: Microsoft
Microsoft on Wednesday announced Windows 365, a cloud-based version of the desktop operating system that allows people to run the same virtualized desktop across multiple PCs and even on Macs and mobile devices.
Why it matters: The move puts Windows in more places, including on iOS and Android, though its capabilities there are more limited than on a PC.
Microsoft said Windows 365 will be available Aug. 2.
- It will initially serve up Windows 10, though Windows 11 will also be an option once it is made available later this year.
How it works:
- The Windows desktop, including the OS, apps and files, all run from Microsoft's cloud.
- Because it is based in the cloud, users can start work on one device, then log in and pick up work on another.
Yes, but: Because it's coming from the cloud, Windows 365 requires a persistent internet connection.