Microsoft Unveils a PC That Only Runs Cloud-Based Apps

Prefer your Windows experience entirely in the cloud? Microsoft has a solution. At Ignite 2024, the company introduced the Windows 365 Link, a sleek, fanless PC designed to connect exclusively to Windows 365 — Microsoft’s cloud-based virtual desktop service.

Launching in April 2025 for $349 in “select markets,” the Windows 365 Link offers rapid boot times, near-instant wake from sleep, and an impressive range of ports, including support for dual 4K monitors, four USB connections, audio and Ethernet jacks, Wi-Fi 6E, and Bluetooth 5.3.

But this isn’t your typical PC. The Windows 365 Link has no onboard storage and doesn’t support local app installations. It’s tailored for enterprise use, enabling organizations to remotely manage and secure the devices. Its stripped-down Windows-based OS comes with non-negotiable security features like passwordless login, reinforcing its enterprise-focused appeal.

Microsoft highlights the device’s eco-friendly credentials, emphasizing its use of recycled materials, including 90% recycled aluminum alloy in the casing and nearly 100% recycled metals in internal components. The company also claims the device consumes significantly less energy than traditional desktops.

While general consumers aren’t the target, businesses in regions like Australia, Canada, Germany, Japan, New Zealand, the U.K., and the U.S. can apply for the Windows 365 Link preview program starting today. Whether this new cloud-centric PC succeeds where Microsoft’s previous compact PCs faltered remains to be seen.