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Topic: Windows

Microsoft releases Windows Thin PC public test build

Summary: Microsoft has made available for download, as of March 28, the first Windows Thin PC Community Technology Preview (CTP) test build.

Mary Jo Foley

By for All About Microsoft |

Microsoft has made available for download, as of March 28, the first Windows Thin PC Community Technology Preview (CTP) test build.

Although the final product will be available only to Software Assurance volume licensees, Microsoft is making the Windows Thin PC (Win TPC) available to the general public, officials said. The test build is available via the Microsoft Connect site and -- interestingly -- is listed under Windows Embedded Standard.

WinTPC is "a version of Windows 7 that allows customers to repurpose existing PCs as thin clients without requiring the VDA license to access VDI desktops," the download site explains. WinTPC is the successor to Windows Fundamentals for Legacy PCs (WinFLP). It will support RemoteFX and enterprise management through Microsoft's System Center Configuration Manager product (which means, I'm assuming, that WinTPC will be built on top of Windows Embedded Standard 7 Service Pack 1).

Microsoft is touting WinTPC as a way for customers to tighten their IT-budget belts by repurposing older PCs as thin clients.

Topics: Windows, Hardware, Microsoft, Operating Systems, Software

About

Mary Jo has covered the tech industry for more than 25 years for a variety of publications and Web sites, and is a frequent guest on radio, TV and podcasts, speaking about all things Microsoft-related. She is the author of Microsoft 2.0: How Microsoft plans to stay relevant in the post-Gates era (John Wiley & Sons, 2008).

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27 comments
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  • ChromeOS comptuers will be a lot cheaper to maintain, and more secure

    NT.
    DonnieBoy
    Reply Vote

    • re: ChromeOS blah blah

      Did you read only available for Software Assurance customers? Did you also read repurpose existing hardware? So let me get this right, it's cheaper to buy new hardware and write/purchase new applications when you already own both. That right? You really do suck at economics. Troll of the century award goes to you.<br> <br><br>Wikipedia:<br>Google Chrome OS is a Linux operating system designed by Google to work exclusively with web applications. Chrome OS will only ship on specific hardware from Google's manufacturing partners.
      relwolf
      Reply Vote

      • And, ChromeOS will be used in the enterprise where security matters.

        ChromeOS will also include terminal service for running remote applications or desktops. ChromeOS will include native client so you will be able to run C/C++ applications safely. Read a little bit before you make a fool out of yourself . . . .
        DonnieBoy
        Reply Vote

      • Problem with that, Donnie

        The first version will be released (we don't know when, it isn't being said), and then it will go through version numbers of 6 or more a year. Administrators will have no power to prevent the updates, and they'll have to hope that the next update doesn't break anything important.

        Enterprises need certainty, and Google's software doesn't seem to provide that.
        Michael Alan Goff
        Reply Vote

      • RE: Microsoft releases Windows Thin PC public test build

        @relwolf <br>@goff256<br>you also need to do some research, Google apps for business provide update mangement tools to stop or limit the updates. good try though<br><br>sent from my google chrome cr-48 notebook
        aiellenon
        Reply Vote

      • My mistake

        So they'll either be constantly updating or working with an extremely buggy platform (from everything they make being beta-status for a hell of a long time).
        Michael Alan Goff
        Reply Vote

    • RE: Microsoft releases Windows Thin PC public test build

      @DonnieBoy

      And how exactly is that working out after much of the tech sphere has rejected it?

      ChromeOS is a non starter.
      The one and only, Cylon Centurion
      Reply Vote

      • Well, the Windows propeller heads do not like ChromeOS one little bit.

        This much is true. They make way too much money keeping Windows going on a wing and a prayer. That money goes away with ChromeOS.
        DonnieBoy
        Reply Vote

      • RE: Microsoft releases Windows Thin PC public test build

        @Donnie

        Whatever.
        The one and only, Cylon Centurion
        Reply Vote

      • RE: Microsoft releases Windows Thin PC public test build

        @DonnieBoy [i]Well, the Windows propeller heads do not like ChromeOS one little bit.[/i]

        And the ChromeOS propeller heads don't like Window one little bit... I'm sure you have a point to make?

        [i]They make way too much money keeping Windows going on a wing and a prayer.[/i]

        Haven't had to touch my Windows Thin Clients since setup, except for the rare HW failure... but that has nothing to do with Windows.
        Badgered
        Reply Vote

    • And you know this how?

      It hasn't been released yet, and it's constantly being pushed back.
      Michael Alan Goff
      Reply Vote

  • RE: Microsoft releases Windows Thin PC public test build

    Let's see a TCO and we will think about. M$ solutions that involve Terminal Services and/or Citrix are usually just too expensive.
    jkohut
    Reply Vote

    • Exactly, starting next year, ChromeOS will be the way to go.

      NT.
      DonnieBoy
      Reply Vote

      • I feel bad for you, Donnie

        When Chrome OS actually comes out, someday, you'll be disappointed. It won't be as good as you think it will be, nothing can be.
        Michael Alan Goff
        Reply Vote

      • Message has been deleted.

        Michael Alan Goff
        Reply Vote

      • Message has been deleted.

        Michael Alan Goff
        Reply Vote

      • RE: Microsoft releases Windows Thin PC public test build

        @goff256 [i]It won't be as good as you think it will be, nothing can be.[/i]

        Now you know that won't matter... he could never admit it even if it were true.
        Badgered
        Reply Vote

      • There is no if

        Unless Chrome OS literally cures cancer, Donnie's expectations won't be met.
        Michael Alan Goff
        Reply Vote

  • RE: Microsoft releases Windows Thin PC public test build

    Well, guess none of us will see it as the links are broken or we do not have sufficient privileges as per Microsoft to see it. I would love to see how this runs on an older machine, or even the specs required to run it.
    manowaraz
    Reply Vote

  • RE: Microsoft releases Windows Thin PC public test build

    Corporations that get into bed with Google or Apple are sure to catch something and it won't be security. In the corporate world you stand by what works and Windows works whether you like it or not.
    Rob.sharp
    Reply Vote
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