Microsoft readies locked-down Windows 7 Thin PCs

Microsoft is planning to make available to its Software Assurance volume licensing customers a smaller footprint, locked-down version of Windows 7 that functions as a thin client.

Microsoft officials announced the coming Windows Thin PC (WinTPC) SKU on February 9, simultaneous with the company’s announcement that it had released to manufacturing the first Service Pack (SP) for Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2.

According to the company, WinTPC will “allow customers to repurpose their existing PCs as thin clients” once it is available for download from the Microsoft Connect test site later in the first calendar quarter of 2011. (I am thinking this will be a beta/test version of WinTPC, given it will be on Connect. I’ve asked Microsoft to clarify. Update: Yes, this will be a public beta of WinTPC on Connect, officials said on February 10.)

Microsoft readies locked-down Windows 7 Thin PCs | ZDNet

Microsoft announces Windows Thin PC

Microsoft said on Wednesday that it plans to offer a new version of Windows 7 designed specifically for Virtual Desktop Infrastructure (VDI) customers.

Windows Thin PC (WinTPC) will be released as a beta version on Microsoft’s Connect site according to the company. The first version is expected to be available by the end of March.

Microsoft announces Windows Thin PC | WinRumors

WinTPC is somehow a Windows Fundamentals for Legacy PCs successor, isn't it ?

Hi all
can anybody translate into PLAIN English what exactly MS is offering here-- It seems to be some sort of mini W7 possibly even lighter than W7 Starter for cheaper multi volume licenses.

However in businesses and offices I've tended to work in its quite common for people to want to be able to run quite a few CONCURRENT applications at a time some quite heavy like large spreadsheets or imaging software as well as possibly having 5 or 6 (or many more if they are developers) SAP sessions etc.

Not sure that a really "Thin" client would do the job here.

People have been talking about "Thin Clients" and "Diskless" workstations for DONKEYS YEARS but these have never proved popular and for most people the idea is dead.

Actually businesses are coming more round to the idea of providing a secure infrastructure and allowing / encouraging users to use THEIR OWN laptops. It's difficult to manage the security etc but this proves REALLY popular at places where its implemented.

For instance we have some real MAC fan boys who love the fact that they can run Virtual software on their own machines to load up W7 or XP and logon to corporate VPN's / servers.

It's often a very frustrating User experience to find you have a real sooper dooper computer at home and then go back to using "Dinosaur Technology" at work.

Provided the security elements can be arranged and various other company policies this seems the obvious way to proceed -- also saves the company from having to purchase / upgrade workstations every few years too.

I can't see the MS offering competing with the chance of using YOUR own computer in the workplace where possible.

Cheers
jimbo

timofort said:

WinTPC is somehow a Windows Fundamentals for Legacy PCs successor, isn't it ?

That's what I'm thinking, I hear the word "Thin" associated with an OS and I think "Removed features in order to be run on older hardware." The previous posts though don't say that. in fact it seems like they don't even say what this is supposed to do, besides "Turns users PCs into 'Thin Clients". What is a thin client? Will this be like the aforementioned WFLPC or will it be something totally new?

Its not the same thing as Fundamentals. When using a thin client all or most of the computing is done on a central server. The client just displays the results. The thin client is useless without the central server that is actually running the OS and apps. Windows Fundamentals is a stand alone OS optimized for older PCs that are low on performance. Fundamentals is more like 7's Starter edition.

Thin client - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

alphanumeric said:

Its not the same thing as Fundamentals. When using a thin client all or most of the computing is done on a central server. The client just displays the results. The thin client is useless without the central server that is actually running the OS and apps. Windows Fundamentals is a stand alone OS optimized for older PCs that are low on performance. Fundamentals is more like 7's Starter edition.

Thin client - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Hi there
as I said before this stuff is really harking back to the 1980's and even then it wasn't popular.

With things like NETBOOKS available for around 200 USD (probably less on a huge discount corporation volume) why would you want to tie people on to a central server so they are stuck when not connected to it.

"This Clients" are essentially DEAD these days --I've also mentioned the trend towards the END USER providing HIS / HER OWN workstation / laptop and using the corporate network / VPN. -- This needs to be managed carefully - especially with regard to security and it will require quite a change in IT management / IT Ops but it CAN be done and is very popular in places where it's been implemented.

We shouldn't be talking about "Stone age" hardware in the 21st century.

I certainly wouldn't relish working on a "Thin Client" and being dependent on a central server.

Cheers
jimbo

I'm sure they have there uses. It just depends on what the end user is tasked with doing. They probably work great in say an auto repair shop floor. The mechanic doesn't necessarily need a full PC just to run some diagnostic or look up parts. A grocery store would be another good use. No need for a full PC at every cash register. In a hazardous environment there is less to break down or be replaced if it does get damaged. Kiosks would be another good spot I would think. The other big advantage is no data is stored on the thin client, its all on the server. If somebody steals the thine client they don't get much for there trouble. All the data is safely stored on the server. I bet some of them don't even have a hard drive in them. I see XP embedded being run on cash registers, they boot up in seconds as the OS is loaded from flash memory. They're probably a lot easier to lock down from a security stand point too. Like you though I have no use for one, but I'm sure some people/companies make use of them.

I guess I should have read a little more of the articles linked to before I posted.
It looks like it lets you turn an old PC into a thin client rather than actually running on a thin client. Maybe it does both I can't really tell from what I read so far. That, I would think, would negate some of the advantages I listed above. Looks like its closer to Windows Fundamentals than I originally thought. I likely will never get to play with it so I'll have to wait for someone else to comment on it.