Ignite 2024: Microsoft Expands its Cloud PC Offering With Lightweight Windows 365 Link Device

At its Ignite conference for IT pros today, Microsoft announced a surprising update for its Windows 365 Cloud PC offering: A lightweight, fanless, and secure device for using Cloud PCs on up to two monitors. The new product is called Windows 365 Link, and it’s launching in preview today ahead of a public release in April 2025.

Microsoft didn’t share many details about the hardware of the device, except that it supports two 4K monitors, Wi-Fi 6E, and Bluetooth 5.3. The device also comes with four USB ports, an audio jack, and an Ethernet Port. Windows 365 Link will be priced at $349, and Microsoft said that the device “boots in seconds” and “wakes instantly from sleep.”

On the software front, Windows 365 Link will be manageable by IT Pros via Windows Intune, and Microsoft mentioned “a small Windows based OS footprint with minimal applicable configuration policies.” To improve security, Windows 365 Link doesn’t store local data and security features cannot be disabled.

Windows 365 Link is now available in preview in the US, Canada, the UK, Germany, Japan, Australia, and New Zealand. Organizations interested in testing it will need to contact their Microsoft account team and request to join the preview program by December 15, 2024.

Microsoft hinted today that Windows 365 Link is the first in a series of devices that will expand the Windows 365 ecosystem, with more products coming next year from Microsoft’s partners. “Just like we did with 2:1s, we’re starting with first party devices and doing the work to get the product experience right,” explained Pavan Davuluri, Corporate Vice President, Windows and Devices. “As we continue to expand the Cloud PC category, we look forward to expanding offerings as well, scaling with our OEM partners in 2025.”

While Windows 365 Cloud PCs are accessible today from any device with a capable web browser, Microsoft will also soon make Windows 11 available on the Meta Quest 3 and Quest 3S mixed reality headsets. A public preview coming in December will allow the owners of these headset to access Windows 365 Cloud PCs as well as their local Windows 11 PC in a mixed reality environment.