Microsoft Launches Tech Preview for Windows Thin PC

The VAR Guy doesn’t just write blogs, he also reads them. And according to Microsoft’s Windows Blog, the company has released the community technology preview (CTP) for Windows Thin PC, its foray into the virtualization space. What implications could this have for the channel? Read on for a few thoughts:

Windows Thin PC is a “locked down” version of Windows 7 that has been built to run on old PCs and extend their lives as thin clients. It’s not the first time The VAR Guy has heard of this strategy. Any number of vendors offer thin client apps. But now we’re talking about the entire OS that’s dedicated to delivering that virtual desktop. What’s more, the end customer doesn’t need a VDA license to access the VDI desktop.

Microsoft has included in Windows Thin PC key new features, including:

• RemoteFX: Akin to Microsoft’s version of Citrix HDX, RemoteFX supports “a richer, higher-fidelity” VM desktop environment, according to Microsoft.
• System Center Configuration Manager Support: Sysadmins can deploy and manage Windows Thin PC images across the network.
• Write Filter Support: Ensures that users don’t write to the local machine, enabling higher level of security on the end device (or re-purposed PC).

At first glance, The VAR Guy thought Windows Thin PC sounded an awful lot like Windows Fundamentals for Legacy PCs. Indeed, it is the successor to that technology. But while in concept Fundamentals was a good way to integrate old PCs into new networks and operating system environments, in reality The VAR Guy hasn’t seen it used much. But, factor in virtualization to the equation, and The VAR Guy thinks this technology has legs since the re-purposed machine is simply a conduit and not doing any actual processing.

The VAR Guy sees promise in Windows Thin PC for channel partners looking to offer some value-add while cutting costs. As the product evolves, you can bet our resident blogger will be keep a close watch from under his fedora. If Windows Thin PC does indeed prove successful, it could add a feather to Microsoft’s cap and give the company some positive recognition — something Microsoft hasn’t seen too much of in a while.

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