What do you get when you take a PC and remove the processor, RAM, and storage? Not much, unless you're referring to a Cloud PC. Those devices use the web to connect to Windows 365, giving you remote access to Windows through the cloud.

Microsoft just announced two new Cloud PCs that are on the way: The ASUS NUC 16 for Windows 365 and the Dell Pro Desktop for Windows 365.

In addition to providing customers more options, the launch of the new Cloud PCs will expand the technology to more countries.

Microsoft actually makes its own Cloud PC. The Windows 365 Link first shipped in 2024, but it is only available in 20 countries at the moment.

The Dell Pro Desktop for Windows 365 will be avaialble in 58 countries in the third quarter of 2026. That device is a compact, fanless desktop that supports up to three displays.

Much like the Windows 365 Link, the newly announced ASUS NUC 16 is a mini-PC that connects to Windows 365. The ASUS NUC 16 for Windows 365 features a 0.7L design that won't take up much space on a desk. The new ASUS Cloud PC also supports up to three displays.

Cloud PCs are designed to lighten the load of IT workers who need to manage and scale devices. They also provide security benefits because they have a reduced attack surface for malicious actors to target. Organisations can also enable security features by default and block the option to disable those features.

Since Cloud PCs do not store data locally, they provide more flexibility, especially in hot desk situations and shared offices.

Microsoft did not share pricing information for the new Cloud PCs, but Dell and ASUS have webpages that allow you to sign up to receive more information when it becomes available.

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First announced last year, Microsoft's new Windows 365 Link device is now generally available to purchase for $349.99 in the United States. The device is the company's first cloud PC, designed to connect directly to the Windows 365 service.

With general availability, Microsoft has also revealed the full specs and pricing for the device. It's powered by an Intel N250 Processor, paired with 8GB RAM and 64GB storage. The full specs table is as follows:

Regarding pricing and availability, here's what Microsoft says in the blog post announcing its general release:

"Windows 365 Link is now generally available for purchase with an MSRP of AUD639 in Australia, CAD519.99 in Canada, EUR419 in Germany, JPY56,800 in Japan, NZD739 in New Zealand, GBP349 in the United Kingdom and USD349.99 in the United States."

The Windows 365 Link can be purchased through Microsoft commercial channels. It's not a device designed for consumer use, so it won't be on store shelves at Best Buy or Amazon.

To use the device, your employer must have assigned you a Cloud PC so that you can log in to it on the device. Windows 365 Link does not run apps locally and is only functional when connected to a Windows 365-powered Cloud PC.

A PC that can only run Windows via the cloud does come with benefits, including better security and performance, as the local device doesn't store any information and the Cloud PC can be configured with a better processor, more RAM, or storage at any point.

Microsoft calls the Windows 365 Link the first of a new category of cloud PCs, implying it expects more hardware makers to build devices that are designed to only connect to Windows 365 in the future.

Last year, Microsoft unveiled its first Windows desktop mini PC, except it's not your typical mini PC. It's a thin client, designed to run Windows 11 by streaming it from the cloud. Locally, the device runs a super lightweight version of Windows, which is designed solely to connect the user to a Windows 365 PC as set up by an employer in the cloud.

The device is called the Windows 365 Link, and is supposed to be the first of a new category of Windows 365 PCs. Microsoft is slowly ushering in a new category of Windows PCs that don't actually run Windows apps, and instead stream the Windows experience via the internet and remote desktop protocol.

There are many advantages to this, the primary one being security. Windows 365 PCs will be inherently more secure as the data they deal with is never stored locally. If the device is ever stolen, all the data that computer ever worked on would still be safe, stored in a secure cloud PC on the Windows 365 service.

It also helps with reducing e-waste, as thin clients like the Windows 365 Link aren't reliant on internal specs to be useful. In 10 years time, the Windows 365 Link device should still perfectly usable and secure, as the cloud PC can be upgraded with a better CPU, more RAM, and storage whenever necessary.

Now, images of a real Windows 365 Link have appeared in the wild, suggesting that we're getting close to general availability. The device is now in private testing with a number of Windows 365 customers, with general availability expected to begin in April.

The images show us just how small the Windows 365 Link is, being small enough to be held in one hand. It's made of plastic, similarly to the Windows Dev Kit 2023, and features a USB-A port and 3.5mm audio jack on the front, two more USB-A ports on the back, a USB-C port, ethernet, DisplayPort, and HDMI.

In regard to what's on the inside, I understand the Windows 365 Link is powered by a low-end Intel N250 Processor, 8GB RAM, and 64GB storage. On a normal PC, these specs would be pitiful, but as the device itself doesn't actually run any apps, it's not something the user is going to notice.

These low-end specs also allow Microsoft to price the box competitively. The device is expected to go on sale for $349 in April, which is much cheaper than a Mac mini M4, while potentially being more capable with a high-end desktop-class CPU and GPU, if a cloud PC is configured as such.

Of course, that does mean the Windows 365 Link is useless unless you have an active subscription to a Windows 365 PC. As things currently stand, Windows 365 is an enterprise only service, meaning you're only likely to ever come across the 365 Link if it's issued to you by your workplace.

It's not hard to believe that Microsoft would like to open Windows 365 up as a consumer service in the future, too. In fact, we know Microsoft wants to do just that. When that will be ready is anyone's guess, but I would wager it will be sooner rather than later.

What you need to know

• Microsoft has unveiled a $349 desktop PC, designed to exclusively run Windows 11 via the cloud with Windows 365.
• It features a small, fanless design with multiple ports, fast booting and instant wake times.
• The device is called the Windows 365 Link and is expected to go on sale in April 2025, aimed solely at enterprise customers.

Microsoft has announced its first desktop PC today, but it’s not what you might be expecting. The company is launching the world’s first dedicated “boot to cloud” device, designed to run Windows 11 only by streaming it online via Windows 365. It's called the "Windows 365 Link" and is expected to go on sale in April 2025 for $349.

The device is essentially a mini PC, featuring a fanless design that boots in seconds and wakes instantly from sleep. It can output up to two 4K displays and features three USB-A ports, one USB-C port, an audio jack, an ethernet jack, DisplayPort, and an HDMI port. It also supports Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.3.

The PC's dimensions are also tiny, coming in at just 120 x 120 x 30 mm, making it significantly smaller than the new Mac mini. That tiny chassis houses an Intel processor with 8GB RAM and 64GB storage. Microsoft hasn't yet detailed the specific Intel processor it uses, but given the device's nature, it's likely to be a low-powered one.

Microsoft says the Windows 365 Link device will deliver a “high-fidelity” experience, taking only seconds to boot and waking instantly from sleep. Microsoft is calling it the first of a new class of devices designed to be always online and connected to a Cloud PC. Without an internet connection, this device becomes unusable.

The Windows 365 Link notably doesn't feature an onboard NPU, but that won't matter here. Microsoft has announced that it will update Windows 365 next year to support many of Windows 11's advanced Copilot+ features, meaning devices without an NPU will soon be able to utilize features like Windows Recall, Click To Do, and AI in Search when streaming Windows 11 from the cloud.

The Windows 365 Link is aimed exclusively at enterprise customers, which has already proven to be a successful market for virtual cloud desktop services like Windows 365. The device will go on sale in April next year for $349 per device, not including the Windows 365 subscription required for users to actually be able to use it. A preview program is now open for enterprises who want to test-flight the device.

The first Windows "NXT" device?

According to Microsoft, the device runs a “small Windows based” OS. Not much else is said about this specifically mentioned variant of Windows, but my own sources say it’s likely based on a lightweight Windows edition codenamed NXT (and WNC) that doesn’t run any Windows apps, is primarily web-focused, and on this device specifically handles things like the local setup and sign-in screens for connecting to a full Windows 11 OS-based Cloud PC.

Sources say Microsoft may have larger plans for NXT in the future, but that’s a topic for another time. For now, we know the Windows 365 Link device doesn’t store user data or run apps locally, but it does have “minimal applicable configuration policies” that can be customized with Microsoft Intune.

With that said, it appears the device will handle some things locally. It’s vague, but Microsoft mentions that the device will offer local processing for high-fidelity experiences such as Microsoft Teams meetings and Webex by Cisco. There will likely also be some local settings pages for configuring peripherals such as webcams and microphones.

For us here at Windows Central, it’s always exciting when a new flavor of Windows sees the light of day, even if this version of Windows is supposed to be invisible. If it’s based on CorePC/NXT like we expect, it will be interesting to dig into to see how everything works under the hood.

Ultimately, this specific device is designed to sell Windows 365, and so the version of Windows NXT installed locally will be barebones. It will be interesting to see if anyone can get the full version of Windows 11 running locally on this thing, or perhaps even something lightweight like Android or Chrome OS.

The future of desktop computing?

The existence of the Windows 365 Link device is the first real push in a new direction that I've seen from Microsoft for the traditional Windows desktop. Windows 365 has existed for a handful of years, and while it's still an enterprise-only service, there's no doubt that Microsoft intends to roll out a more consumer-facing version in the future.

Microsoft's goal is to make Windows ubiquitous and available wherever and whenever you need it. Cloud PCs are the solution to this, a service you subscribe to that lets you access your very own Windows PC in the cloud using an app on your phone, tablet, or laptop. It means any PC becomes a portal into your own workspace, and you can log in wherever you are in the world.

It's not for everyone, but I can see why this might be appetizing to some people. If you're not a gamer, why spend lots of money on a dedicated Windows PC that you know you'll only use occasionally? Why not just subscribe to a Cloud PC when you need it instead?

Devices like the Windows 365 Link will be perfect for schools and hot-desking environments, where different people come in and use the desk space every day. It doesn't matter where you sit; you can still log in to your specific Cloud PC and resume where you left off with all your apps and documents, whether that be in the office, at home, on the bus, or anywhere.

Of course, the need for full Windows running on local hardware will never go away, and you'll always have that option if you need it. But I already know lots of people who don't own a PC anymore and do everything on their phone or tablet. These are the people from whom a service like Windows 365 could benefit the most.

If Microsoft can make game streaming work with XCloud, I don't see why it can't work for the Windows desktop, something that is infinitely easier to stream when it comes to latency and picture quality.

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What you need to know

• Microsoft Office has a new default theme on the way.
• The theme includes Aptos as a default font and brings several design changes to refine the look of the Office suite of applications.
• The new defaults are currently set to ship in September 2023, though that date is subject to change.

A 15-year run of Calibri as the default font of Microsoft Office is about to come to an end. Microsoft announced its new default font for Office, Aptos, earlier this year. The new font has been available among Office Insiders as part of a new default them for almost one month. Now, we have a better idea of when Office's new default font and theme will ship to everyone.

The Microsoft 365 roadmap entry about Office's new theme was updated on August 9, 2023. It now lists September of this year as the rollout start for the new default theme. It's important to note that dates on the Microsoft 365 roadmap are subject to change. A September release would align the release of the new default theme with back-to-school season, which makes sense.

Microsoft began its journey to replace Calibri as the default font of Office all the way back in 2021. The company presented five fonts to receive feedback and eventually whittled its selection down to Aptos, which was initially called Bierstadt.

Aptos was made by Steve Matteson, who also created the Segoe font seen across Windows.

The new default font is only one of the changes on the way to the Office apps. Increased outline weights and better consistency between shapes and lines are part of the theme. Yellow has also been removed from the theme's color palette, with dark green taking its place. A shade of blue has also been changed as well.

If you love Calibri or have just gotten used to it after all these years, the font will continue to be available in the dropdown menu of Office. 

What you need to know

• Microsoft released Windows 11 Builds 22621.2191 and 22631.2191 this week.
• Build 22631.2191 has new features enabled by default and includes several changes and improvements to Windows 11.
• Most notably, the build includes support for Windows 365 Switch, which lets you switch between a local desktop and a Windows 365 Cloud PC easily.

Microsoft shipped several builds of Windows 11 to Insiders this week. Yesterday, we covered the preview release of Windows 365 Switch that shipped to the Dev Channel. Microsoft also added support for Windows 365 Switch to the latest Insider build in the Beta Channel.

Windows 11 Builds 22621.2191 and 22631.2191 both shipped yesterday. The former has new features disabled by default, but the latter has new features turned on.

Windows 365 Switch allows you to hop between a local desktop and a Windows 365 Cloud PC with a gesture, mouse-click, or keyboard command.

Build 22631.2191 includes support for setting JXR files as a desktop background as well. Windows 11 will then render those images in full HDR.

Here are the highlights of what's new, improved, and changed in Build 22631.2191, as outlined by Microsoft:

Build 22631.2191: What's new

HDR Background Support 

You can now set JXR files to be your desktop background and if you have an HDR display, they will render in full HDR.

Narrator Natural Voices in French, Portuguese, English (India), German and Korea

We are introducing new natural voices in French, Portuguese, English (India), German and Korean that allow Narrator users to comfortably browse the web, read, and write mail, and do more. Natural Narrator voices use modern, on-device text to speech and once downloaded are supported without an internet connection.

Build 22631.2191: Changes & Improvements

Windows 365

• Windows Insiders in the Dev and Beta Channels can participate in the public preview of Windows 365 Switch. Windows 365 Switch provides the ability to easily move between a Windows 365 Cloud PC and the local desktop using the same familiar keyboard commands, as well as a mouse-click or a swipe gesture through Task View on the Windows 11 taskbar. Please read this blog post for all the details on how to participate.

Taskbar & System Tray

• REMINDER: As noted in our Beta Channel flight here, the settings for never combined mode for the taskbar were showing up under Settings > Personalization > Taskbar > Taskbar behaviors but do not enable the experience. We have temporarily removed the settings for this to fix the issue. The feature will be coming to a Beta Channel flight soon.

File Explorer

• We’ve added “Share” to the context menu in File Explorer in addition to having the share icon at the top of the context menu.
• Added more fields to show in the Details pane, including image dimensions for pictures, number of pages for .docx, space used and free information for drives, and many others.

Windows Spotlight

• After doing an OS update, in certain cases such as using the default Windows 11 background or a solid color – Windows Spotlight may be enabled for you. If you decide you don’t want Windows Spotlight enabled, you can turn it off and in future OS updates it should not be enabled for you again unless you choose to re-enable the experience.

What you need to know

• Microsoft just rolled out support for Windows 365 Switch to Insiders in the Dev and Beta Channels.
• Windows 365 Switch lets you jump between a local desktop and a Windows 365 PC with a mouse-click, gesture, or keyboard command.
• The availability of Windows 365 Switch coincided with the rollout of Windows 11 Build 23521 to the Dev Channel.

Microsoft just shipped Windows 11 Build 23521 to Insiders in the Dev Channel. The largest addition in the update is support for Windows 365 Switch, which is a new feature that makes it easy to jump between a local desktop and a Windows 365 PC. The feature supports switching between the two instances with a keyboard commands, swipe gestures, or a mouse-click.

Windows 365 Switch is available for Dev Channel and Beta Channel Insiders right now. Microsoft outlines the feature further in a blog post:

"Windows 365 Switch provides the ability to easily move between a Windows 365 Cloud PC and the local desktop using the same familiar keyboard commands, as well as a mouse-click or a swipe gesture. Windows 365 Switch enables a seamless experience from within Windows 11 via the Task view feature."

Today's Dev Channel build also includes new options for Windows Copilot and makes it easier to enable never combined mode in the taskbar. Here's everything that's new and improved:

Build 23521: Changes & Improvements

Windows 365

• Windows Insiders in the Dev and Beta Channels can participate in the public preview of Windows 365 Switch. Windows 365 Switch provides the ability to easily move between a Windows 365 Cloud PC and the local desktop using the same familiar keyboard commands, as well as a mouse-click or a swipe gesture through Task View on the Windows 11 taskbar. Please read this blog post for all the details on how to participate.

Windows Copilot

• Windows Insiders in the Dev Channel who login and are managed by AAD (soon to be Microsoft Entra ID) will see Windows Copilot enabled for them again without the need to enable it via Group Policy Editor.

Taskbar & System Tray

• To make it easier to enable never combined mode on the taskbar, we have updated the settings. You can turn never combined mode on by simply adjusting “Combine taskbar buttons and hide labels” to never. And we provide a separate setting for turning this on for other taskbars (multiple monitor scenarios for example).

Dynamic Lighting

• You can now instantly sync your Windows accent color with the devices around you with the “Match my Windows accent color” toggle under “Effects” for Dynamic Lighting via Settings > Personalization > Dynamic Lighting. This improvement started rolling out in last week’s Dev Channel flight.
• We have added the ability to choose a custom color to light up your devices with.

Task Manager

• We’ve updated the Task Manager settings page to match the design principles of Windows 11. The design has a similar look and feel to the Settings in Windows 11 and provides a cleaner UI separating categories into different sections. Oh, and we updated some dialogs in Task Manager too.

Windows Spotlight

• After doing an OS update, in certain cases such as using the default Windows 11 background or a solid color – Windows Spotlight may be enabled for you. If you decide you don’t want Windows Spotlight enabled, you can turn it off and in future OS updates it should not be enabled for you again unless you choose to re-enable the experience.

Search on the Taskbar

• Windows Search now uses the Microsoft Bing Search app to return web content and search results. In the European Economic Area (EEA), you can enable installed Microsoft Store apps that implement a web search provider to return web content and search results in Windows Search through Settings.

Settings

• The end task feature under System > For Developers no longer requires Developer Mode to be enabled first before it can be used.

Other

• In the European Economic Area (EEA), Windows will now require consent to share data between Windows and other signed-in Microsoft services. You will see some Windows features start to check for consent now, with more being added in future builds. Without consent to share data between Windows and other signed-in Microsoft services, some functionality in Windows features may be unavailable, for example certain types of file recommendations under “Recommended” on the Start menu.

What you need to know

• Microsoft is teaming up with Motorola to bring two neat features to the Lenovo ThinkPhone.
• The features include Microsoft Teams' Walkie Talkie app in Teams and Windows 365 cloud capabilities support via Moto Connect.
• Motorola intends to ship these new capabilities to the handheld device in the coming weeks.

Motorola recently unveiled its $700 handset, the Lenovo ThinkPhone. The entry stands out from most Android competitors in the same range because Motorola had business users in mind while developing the device.

At launch, the handset shipped with a 144Hz refresh rate, impressive performance, and neat security features, all designed to provide a premium user experience. And now, Motorola is teaming up with Microsoft to ship two key features to the device.

First up is fully integrated support for Windows 365 cloud capabilities on the device designed to allow users to access their PC while on the go. For those not conversant with Windows 365, it's a streaming service that allows users subscribed to a Windows PC hosted in the cloud to access it from any device. The service is already available for commercial users across Windows 11 and Windows 10.

"ThinkPhone users can take advantage of the Windows 365 integration and stream the Windows experience directly from their ThinkPhone to a larger display by simply connecting it with a USB-C cable, and a Bluetooth® keyboard and mouse." Motorola indicated.

As such, IT admins can leverage this feature to cut costs since employees will now require the Lenovo ThinkPhone, a Windows 365 license, and a monitor to complete their office setup.

Microsoft's push-to-talk integration through the Walkie Talkie app in Teams is also making its way to the Lenovo ThinkPhone. The Red Key button on the device will now be used for "instant push-to-talk (PTT) communication capabilities." Before, it was a dedicated button that allowed users to link their handset to a ThinkPad via the Think 2 Think service.

Motorola has indicated that the features will ship to the Lenovo ThinkPhone in the coming weeks.

Could the Lenovo ThinkPhone be the next best thing?

It's apparent that the market desperately needs a handheld device that ships with all the Windows Phone and Surface Duo promises. And while the entry stacks miles behind both entries as far as its capabilities and offerings are concerned. It's interesting to see Motorola develop a keen interest in making a business-centric device.

With these productivity features shipping to the Lenovo ThinkPhone, the entry is even more attractive to technical users in this fast-paced world. It's unclear what Motorola's plans are for the future as far as handheld devices are concerned, but it's great to see the company keen to bring a wholesome experience to users.

What you need to know

• Microsoft has released Windows 365 to wide availability.
• The service lets organizations save on operational costs by allowing them to split licenses for cloud PCs among multiple users.
• Users can access their cloud PCs from any device regardless of their location. 

Earlier this year, Microsoft debuted Windows 365 Frontline in public preview, a new experience specifically curated for frontline and part-time workers. It's designed to give organizations more flexibility when purchasing Cloud PC licenses since it can be split between multiple users.

And now, the company has shipped the experience to general availability. As such, users can now leverage the service's offerings to access their Cloud PCs from any device. 

Windows 365 Frontline is an iteration of the Windows 365 Cloud PCs. The only difference is that the service is designed to meet the needs of shift and part-time workers by canceling out the need to share physical devices.

The service allows users to access their Frontline Cloud PC from any device, regardless of the user's location. This also helps enhance the productivity and performance index, especially for hybrid workers.

Notably, the service has helped organizations that were using it while it was in public preview to significantly cut operational costs, especially for professionals such as healthcare clinicians, consultants, customer service representatives, and more. This is because, unlike the Windows 365 Enterprise arrangement where the organization had to get each employee a dedicated Cloud PC license, Windows 365 Frontline supports sharing the license among multiple users.

Microsoft has detailed how the technique works, as highlighted below:

As seen above, the service works best for organizations with employees working across different time zones and shifts. This way, the Frontline Cloud PC is only used when they clock in.

That said, it's worth noting employees must save their work before signing off for the day. This is important to ensure that their work and projects are not lost in the process.

What you need to know

• An internal Microsoft document has revealed plans to bring Windows 365 to consumers.
• Microsoft wants to move Windows 11 to the cloud, and allow users to digitally roam their PCs across devices.
• Internally, the company has drawn up concepts for what a Windows 365 for Families might look like. 

An internal document has revealed that Microsoft is building a consumer version of its Windows 365 cloud-PC streaming service that will allow anybody to subscribe to a Windows PC hosted in the cloud that can be accessed on any device. Windows 365 is already available for commercial customers, with both Windows 10 and Windows 11 cloud PCs available.

The news comes from a small snippet in a June 2022 document that was released as part of Microsoft's ongoing Xbox battle with the FTC. In one of the pages, Microsoft mentions plans to continue moving the Windows experience increasingly to the cloud:

"Move Windows 11 increasingly to the cloud: 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."

The document also mentions AI services as a key differentiator, as well as being able to fully roam people's digital experiences across devices. Microsoft is already building deep Windows 365 integration into Windows 11, which will allow users to seamlessly switch to or automatically boot into a Windows 365 cloud PC on their devices.

Last year, I received some internal documents that detail some of the features that Microsoft has been considering for a consumer version of Windows 365, including a family subscription that would include the ability for parents to drop in on their kids Cloud PCs to help with homework or join in playing a video game. 

The documentation I've seen lists pricing for a consumer Cloud PC at $10 a month, but my sources say this was just a placeholder number and that an actual price for a Windows 365 subscription for consumers has not yet been finalized. 

It's clear that Microsoft is eager to leverage its success with Xbox Cloud Gaming elsewhere in its portfolio. Bringing the ability to stream an entire Windows PC from the cloud on any device will allow every user to be a Windows user, and it also offers Microsoft the chance to put Windows behind a subscription service.

Of course, the local version of Windows is never going to go away, but Microsoft clearly foresees a future where some people will prefer streaming Windows over using it on-device. As most of what we do on a PC is internet-connected these days anyway, perhaps this idea isn't so far-fetched.

What you need to know

• Microsoft Dev Box will become generally available in July 2023.
• Dev Box is a cloud computing environment for developers that is built on the same tech as Windows 365.
• Several new Dev Box features are available in preview starting today, including 16 and 32 Core SKUs and the ability to hibernate 8 and 16 core dev boxes.

Microsoft has a growing number of cloud computing services. Last year at Build 2022, the tech giant unveiled Dev Box, a cloud PC service for developers powered by the same technology as Windows 365. At this year's Build, Microsoft shared that Dev Box will become generally available in July 2023.

Dev Box has been in private and public preview testing since it was initially announced. Microsoft worked with 50 organizations across a range of industries to improve the service. General Motors, National Instruments, and 1ES worked with Microsoft throughout public and private preview testing to provide feedback and refine Dev Box. Now, Dev Box is ready for prime time, or at least it will be in a few months.

Anthony Cangialosi, the group project manager of Microsoft's Developer Division, shared how Dev Box has evolved since it first rolled out in preview.

Cangialosi outlined Microsoft's priorities when improving the capabilities of Dev Box:

• Self-service developer workstations with SKUs that range from 8 to 32 core vCPUs, up to 128 GB of memory, and 2 TB of storage
• Project and role-specific images that can be pre-built with all the tools, configurations, source, and binaries to help developers get straight into their code
• Intune enrollment that delivers best-in-class device management to secure and monitor dev boxes alongside the rest of your portfolio
• Project-based virtual networks that enable admins to limit access to sensitive resources, databases, or internal endpoints to approved team members on specific dev boxes

In addition to working with partners to get feedback, Microsoft has rolled out Dev Box to many of its own employees. Over 9,500 engineers at the company already use one or more dev boxes. Cangialosi said the onboarding process that once took days now takes roughly 20 minutes.

Ahead of its launch in July, Dev Box will have the following features available in public preview:

• 16 and 32 Core SKUs
• Hibernate 8 and 16 core dev boxes
• General developer and pre-build Visual Studio starter images
• Config-as-code definitions for dev box (private preview)
• Visual Studio optimized for Dev Box

The new capabilities of Dev Box should reduce how long it takes developers to get back into their workflow, both when starting a project and when returning to work on any given day.

At Ignite 2022, Microsoft has provided updates to its Windows 365 “Cloud PC” service, which launched last year and enables enterprises the ability to spin up a virtual machine running Windows 10 or Windows 11 in the cloud for employees to use. Until now, that experience has functioned primarily through a web browser or dedicated remote desktop application experience, but now the company has announced a preview of its new dedicated Windows 365 app.

The new app, which can be downloaded from the Microsoft Store, allows employees to access the Windows 365 service directly from the Taskbar or Start menu. The app will launch a portal to the Windows 365 homepage, where an employee can see their issued Cloud PCs and connect to them directly.

In addition to the new app, Microsoft has also announced “Windows 365 Government,” a special version of the Windows 365 service designed for Government Community Cloud and Government Community Cloud High customers in the United States. What’s more, Windows 365 will soon support the ability to provision Windows 365 Cloud PCs for shift or part time employers that only need a Cloud PC during a set amount of hours in the day.

Lastly, Windows 365 now supports Citrix HDX Plus in preview, which helps IT teams deliver support for a broader range of endpoint devices and peripherals. It also offers advanced security and policy controls and a better experience in environments with low-bandwidth capabilities.

Jared Spatero, CPV of Modern Work at Microsoft, said the following in a blog post:

“With the new Windows 365 app you can access your Cloud PC directly from the Windows 11 taskbar or start menu and then stream the full Windows experience—all your apps, settings, and content—to any device.

We also announced the availability of Windows 365 Government for Government Community Cloud and Government Community Cloud High customers in the United States. And, coming soon, organizations will be able to provision Windows 365 Cloud PCs for shift or part-time employees that only need a Cloud PC during their workday for a limited time.”

What you need to know:

• Microsoft is launching a new cloud PC service for developers.
• It's called "Dev Box" and is powered by Windows 365
• It lets developers spin up developer workstation environments quickly and easily.

Microsoft's Build 2022 conference just keeps on giving for developers! Today, the company announced a new service called "Microsoft Dev Box," a cloud-powered developer workstation environment that devs can spin up whenever they need more power to get their coding done.

Built off the same tech that Windows 365 is based upon, the new Microsoft Dev Box service aims to make a Windows PC with all software required to develop apps available in the cloud and accessible no matter what device you're using. 

Dev teams can preconfigure Dev Boxes for specific projects in minutes and can be managed by IT admins leveraging Windows 365 to integrate Dev Boxes with Intune and Microsoft Endpoint Manager.

The wonderful thing about a cloud-based Dev Box is that you can spin up new ones incredibly quickly. All developers know how long it can take to setup a new local PC with all the tools and tweaks necessary before you can even get started with writing code for your app. With Microsoft Dev Boxes, these environments can be configured and setup with just a few clicks, ready in minutes and accessible from anywhere.

The Microsoft Dev Box service is launching as a public preview in the next few months, and is available today in private preview. You can sign-up for a chance to test the Dev Box service on Microsoft's website.

What you need to know

• Microsoft has detailed the future of Windows for its commercial customers.
• The future involves a whole lot of cloud integrations via Windows 365.
• Features include the ability to boot directly to a Cloud PC, integrate your Cloud PC with your local desktop, and more.

Microsoft today outlined the future of the Windows desktop experience for its commercial customers during an online presentation lead by chief product officer, Panos Panay. The company plans to bring Windows 11 and Windows 365 closer together, with deep integrations with its Cloud PC service that Microsoft says will enhance hybrid work scenarios and productivity workflows for companies using or deploying Windows PCs to their employees.

In the near future, Microsoft is planning to introduce several new cloud-based features that are designed to integrate the local Windows 11 desktop experience with the company's cloud-powered Windows 365 enterprise service. In the future, users with access to a Windows 365 Cloud PC will be able to access and interact with that cloud instance directly from the Windows 11 desktop interface, with integration with common areas of the system such as the Taskbar and Task View.

Additionally, Microsoft says it's working on a feature that will allow devices to boot directly to a Windows 365 Cloud PC, instead of loading into the local Windows 11 desktop first. And, if the user loses their connection to their Cloud PC, Windows will be able to revert back to a local Windows 11 desktop seamlessly, allowing the user to continue working and then synchronise any changes back to the Cloud PC instance once an internet connection is restored.

Here's a rundown of the new Windows 365 integration features Microsoft announced today:

• Windows 365 Boot: Allows you to log directly into your Cloud PC and designate it as the primary Windows experience on the device.
• Windows 365 Offline: Allows you to work in Windows 365 even when disconnected, and when internet is restored, your Cloud PC will automatically resync with the service without data loss, so the user experience and workflow is persistent.
• Windows 365 Switch: Gives you the ability to move between your Cloud PC and local desktop just like you would between windows in the Task Switcher, using the same familiar keyboard commands, mouse or a swipe gesture.
• Windows 365 App: Provides another way to get straight to my Cloud PC from the Task Bar or Start menu. All with desktop path to my Cloud PC, providing a personal, customized welcome experience to tailor my settings, profile, and work style.

Microsoft also announced new Windows 11 features designed for the local client. Today, it finally confirmed that the File Explorer app will be getting a new tabbed interface in an upcoming release of the OS. It also demoed several new productivity features, most of which have been in testing with Insiders in the Dev and Beta Channel over the last several months such as new Focus Assist integrations, snap layouts, and app folders in Start.

Organizational messages is another new feature the company is announcing for its commercial customers. Using the Endpoint Manager admin center, companies will now be able to send messages or alerts that surface in common areas of the OS such as the lock screen or desktop, directly to its employees using Windows 11 configured via Azure Active Directory.

The company isn't formally announcing the next major Windows 11 OS update today, likely because it isn't yet sure which features will arrive via a feature drop for version 21H2 first, or later after version 22H2 is made generally available later this fall. Microsoft didn't provide a timeline for when the Windows 365 integrations would arrive, but we suspect those features are a bit further out given the company described them as the "future" of the Windows desktop experience.

Microsoft says these new Windows 365 cloud integrations will be exclusive to commercial customers, as Windows 365 isn't a service that normal consumers can subscribe to. With that said, one does wonder how far away we are from a potential consumer version of Windows 365. It doesn't look like it's happening anytime soon, but surely, it's going to happen eventually, right?

These announcements come as part of a larger event taking place right now. Microsoft has also highlighted new experiences in File Explorer, including the introduction of tabs along the top of the app! Additionally, the company is also announcing more camera effect features powered by dedicated neural processing units in compatible PCs, and is highlighting all the security enhancements Windows 11 introduces for commercial customers/

What you need to know

• Microsoft is holding a Windows event on April 5 at 11am ET.
• The event will focus on Windows 11 for commercial customers.
• Expect a focus on Microsoft 365, security, and management features.

A new event page has revealed that Microsoft is holding a Windows event for its commercial customers on April 5, titled "Windows Powers the Future of Hybrid Work," where the company says to expect a deep dive into the exciting future of hybrid work and how Windows propels business customers forward.

Panos Panay is set to be leading the keynote, and considering this is an event for commercial Windows customers, we suspect announcements will focus primarily on Windows security, productivity, and management features designed to make using and deploying Windows in the workplace better.

The event is set to take place virtually on Tuesday, April 5 at 8am PT / 11am ET. Not much else is known about the event at this time, but we'll certainly be covering all the announcements when the time comes.

Last year, Microsoft held a big Windows event for the announcement of Windows 11, but that event was very much focused on consumer and prosumer customers, not commercial customers. Though there is a version of Windows 11 for the enterprise, it hasn't been much of a focus for Microsoft, as most enterprises usually wait at least a couple of years before adopting the latest version of Windows.

As Windows 11 continues to evolve, it makes sense for Microsoft to slowly begin highlighting the OS as a great choice for enterprise and business customers who are still running Windows 10. With new features and enhancements designed for those customers in the works, it's unsurprising that Microsoft is planning to hold an event to highlight those advances.

What you need to know

• Microsoft rolled out a wide range of features to Teams, Yammer, and Windows 365 in February 2022.
• You can now pin or hide your own video within Microsoft Teams meetings and sync Microsoft Viva to popular learning management systems.
• Microsoft also rolled out new features that make it easier to set up Cloud PCs through Windows 365.

As we reach the end of February it's time to catch up on the latest features for Microsoft 365. Each month, Microsoft rounds up new features for Teams and other popular services, with February 2022 being no exception. This month, Microsoft released new options for Team meetings, improvements to the setup process for Windows 365 Cloud PCs, and added new capabilities for Viva. A recent post breaks down the features in more depth, though we'll run through the highlights here.

Usually, Microsoft Teams shows your own video during a meeting. This can be distracting, and the communication platform now has an option to hide your video feed. Teams also supports pinning your own video to a meeting stage to make sure you're always visible on your device.

Microsoft Viva can now sync with learning management systems (LMS) such as SAP SuccessFactors, Cornerstone OnDemand, and Saba Cloud. This expands the usefulness of Viva as employees can keep track of assignments from popular services and courses.

In order to help people find more communities and people of interest, Yammer can now make suggestions. The service also supports auto-renewal for posts, reactions, and files, which should take some stress off of community admins.

Provisioning Windows 365 Cloud PCs is now easier as well. Microsoft released a preview of Windows 365 Enterprise support for using Azure Active Directory Join this month. The company also added localized support for a much longer list of languages. We covered the changes to Windows 365 Cloud PCs earlier this month.