At Microsoft Ignite 2024, Microsoft announced Windows 365 Link to address the need to provide zero touch, secure, lightweight “thin client” device capable of running critical Windows workloads in the Cloud while enhancing security and flexibility,
Windows 365 Link represents the first move by Microsoft into the hardware space with a dedicated new class of devices purpose-built to connect securely to Windows 365 in seconds.
Yes, essentially a Thin Client device yes, Windows 365 Link, offers a simple, secure, purpose-built device for Windows 365, which will instantly book (using Windows 365 on a dedicated Windows 11 (light) device which boots instantly to the Windows 365 desktop.
The device is tuned and built to to provide responsive, high-fidelity experiences and will be available from April 2025 for around $349 RRP.
Windows 365 Link device is a compact, fanless and lightweight device. When powered up it boots in seconds, and provides modern power management including instant wake and localised processing for high-fidelity experiences, such as Microsoft Teams meetings and Webex by Cisco, helping users make the most of productive time.
Design and Build.
The device is built with 90% post-consumer recycled aluminum alloy in its top shield, 100% pre-consumer recycled aluminum alloy in its bottom plate, and its motherboard contains 100% recycled copper and 96% recycled tin solder. It also has 100% paper-based packaging, is ENERGY STAR®-certified device, with super low energy consumption.
Windows 365 Link has a fanless design, with the ability to boot quickly and wake instantly from sleep, according to the company.
There’s no local data storage, and no admin privileges for users. The device supports dual 4K monitors, with four USB ports, an audio port, an Ethernet port, Wi-Fi 6E, and Bluetooth 5.3.and supports any Windows certified wired and wireless peripherals including webcams.,
Windows 365 Link is designed to be long-lasting with no moving parts, not even a fan—hence reducing the need for frequent replacements.
Secure By Design
Windows 365 Link is secure by design. The device stores no local, runs no local apps and has no local admin access. All corporate data will stay protected within the Microsoft Cloud under the Windows Cloud PC environment. The devices also ship with security baseline policies enabled by default and security features cannot be turned off or disabled.
Firmware and device updates are managed by Microsoft and the devices cannot be side-loaded or bypassed since they leverage the same secure by design principlans protecting Microsoft first devices like Surface.
Windows 365 Link supports DCFI, password less authentication using Microsoft Entra ID and the Microsoft Authenticator app or USB security keys.
Windows 365 Link Management
The device is managed via Intune ensuring a coherent and consistent management for IT. Windows 365 Link is designed to be long-lasting and can be remotely deployed and factory reset remotely in minutes, making it easy to reuse, secure and scalable.
The devices default to having a name starting with WCPC (for Windows CPC), and you can easily find them by looking for devices where the SKU family is WCPC. Windows 365 Link also automatically stays up to date: it downloads updates in the background and will apply them overnight when the device is not in use.