Microsoft has unveiled the Windows 365 Link, a $349 mini PC designed to stream Windows from the cloud. The device boots up in seconds and eliminates the need to store data or run applications locally. The Link is specifically designed for business use.
Many companies have already transitioned some or all of their employees to virtual machines that reside in the cloud. This approach ensures that no data is stored on local devices, which is crucial for security and data integrity. While the concept of a cloud-based Windows device might not immediately appeal to traditional laptop or PC users, its benefits for enterprise environments are significant.
The Windows 365 Link aims to provide a seamless and secure user experience, aligning with the broader shift towards cloud and AI integration in business technology. Microsoft isn’t detailing the full specs of Windows 365 Link yet, but the device will be powered by an undisclosed Intel processor, 8GB of RAM, and 64GB of storage. The internals don’t really matter too much given it’s designed as a portal to a more powerful cloud PC.
The small Windows-based OS that powers Link won’t need to be managed like a dedicated PC for IT admins and can easily be added to Microsoft Intune with little configuration. “The way to think about it is that it’s a super hardened version of Windows,” says David Weston, vice president of enterprise and OS security at Microsoft.
cloud-powered business streamline
It looks like it’ll be ideal for businesses that have already adopted Windows 365, particularly as a hot desk PC that lets multiple people use the same device to connect to their own cloud PCs. HP, Dell, and Lenovo all offer similar thin client PCs at similar price points or even lower than $349. Microsoft thinks its Windows 365 Link device is a better alternative, though.
The Windows 365 Link device will also be considered one of Microsoft’s Copilot Plus devices, a brand that has only existed for its range of Copilot Plus laptops so far. Windows 365 Link combined with these AI experiences could be another unique selling point for Windows 365 over similar cloud PC solutions from Citrix and others. Early testers have found the device useful in environments such as call centers and for hot-desking, which involves temporarily assigning workers to available workspaces.
The Windows 365 Link operates on a pared-down operating system called Windows CPC, featuring no local applications or users and a strict application control policy that cannot be disabled. It automatically updates in the background, installing changes overnight. The device’s release follows Microsoft’s earlier introduction of Windows 365, which also provides users access to their customized virtual desktops on any device, and the Azure Virtual Desktop product.
The desktop virtualization market saw growth after the pandemic began in 2020, as remote work became the norm. Microsoft and several other companies offer thin client PCs that connect to VDI, but Melissa Grant, senior director of product marketing at Microsoft, described the Windows 365 Cloud Link as a “nice alternative” to standard thin clients. The Windows 365 Link is now in preview and will become available in select markets for $349 in April 2025.
April Isaacs is a news contributor for DevX.com She is long-term, self-proclaimed nerd. She loves all things tech and computers and still has her first Dreamcast system. It is lovingly named Joni, after Joni Mitchell.
