Is Microsoft Planning to Make Windows 12 its First cloud-based operating system?

Microsoft revealed heaps of upgrades for Windows 12, including enhanced video conferencing programs, new-fashioned updated File Explorer, and many security upgrades. The additions successfully positioned the operating system compatible with the present hybrid working epoch. However, some indirect announcements clued about how Microsoft might make its upcoming operating systems.

Some rumours regarding the company are already in the air that it has started to work on Windows 12. Microsoft focused on Windows 11 by adding enhanced mobility and revised emphasis on Windows 365, which suggests that Windows are going to be cloud-based, especially in a commercial environment.

The world has become increasingly ubiquitous in terms of connectivity. So it’s, of course, inside the realms of possibility that Microsoft Windows 12 becomes the first-ever cloud-based operating system, which would host off-devices and have storage and compute as some frills of the subscription package.

The cloud-based operating system will have many things similar to customary desktop setups. These virtual setups would be the same as businesses have been deployed for ages to back BYOD scenarios. They will provide simplified configuration and pricing structures, extending further to a wider audience and consumers.

Microsoft wants to shift its direction towards a hybrid model. According to Satya Nadella, the CEO, the company expects the boundaries, between the personal computer and the cloud, are soon to fade away. Presently, the focus is to simplify the transition between desktops of local and Windows 365 since users cannot identify whether their apps, storage, and computing are coming from their device or the cloud.

However, Microsoft might take everything into à la Chrome OS, a cloud. The company has already made it public that Windows 365 customers will be able to bypass the local operating system and boot directly into their cloud desktop. This announcement seems like one step short of full access to the cloud-only vision.

Shifting to a cloud-based system will enable IT administrators to better control identity management and security configuration, especially in business sectors. Also, the shift will enable new models of consumption and allow IT administrators to oversee the use of the devices. 

Currently, Windows 365 offers unrivalled flexibility of location and devices, and makes resources accessible to them. The OS has twelve Cloud personal computer configurations, each with a separate collection of resources. It allows customers to shift between the tiers whenever they want. 

Microsoft might make the new cloud-based operating system the foundation for a PC-as-a-Service to normalize the model on Shadow and GeForce Now offer where you can turn any PC into a powerhouse workstation. It might require customers to pay instalments for compute, hardware, and cloud storage as they do for their smartphones. 

Microsoft’s shift towards a cloud-only model would also modify the paradigm for hardware. The cloud-based compute would require giant SoCs, indicating more freedom to form factors. The device manufacturers would want to support faster connectivity with little latency possibly. 

According to the GM of Aidan Marcus and Microsoft 365, Wangui McKelvey, the company does not necessarily want to develop a wholly cloud-based OS. Instead, the purpose is to combine the experience for a broader range of users. He also said that it is about respecting the users’ choice and enabling more scenarios. Microsoft wants to ensure flexibility and provide ready-made solutions for consumers.