Microsoft shows a solution where a physical computer connects directly to a virtual cloud PC at startup. This should make it more convenient to share a thin client with multiple users.

Microsoft shows Windows 365 boot. The flag covers the load: computers equipped with the technology boot directly into the cloud PC environment in Microsoft Azure. You therefore do not get a login window for your local version of Windows, but can log in to the cloud PC immediately. According to Microsoft, this makes it easier to use a computer with several people. Because as soon as you log in with your unique data, the PC will show you your unique cloud PC environment.

Fewer computers

The functionality fits into Microsoft’s plans. In some cases, this means companies are buying fewer computers. For example, for organizations where employees work shifts, Microsoft just introduced its Frontline licenses. These allow an organization to split a Windows license between three users if they don’t need to work at the same time.

In combination with Cloud PC and Windows 365 Boot, all the pieces of the puzzle come together. For example, you can install a thin client that connects directly to the cloud and always loads the correct Windows environment for the respective employee.

To get started with the new functionality, you must sign up for the Windows Insider program. Windows 11 is essential. You also need administrator rights on Intune and of course a Windows 365 Cloud PC license. For the time being, Microsoft has not said a word about general availability.

What about accounts?

The critical mind should not forget that Windows works with local accounts. You can easily buy a PC with a local version of Windows 11 and create three accounts on it. The benefits of the Cloud PC and/or Frontline approach are not entirely clear. Microsoft is talking about better isolation between environments, but we suspect that not every organization will lose its sleep if the environments in question are intended for employees in their own company.