Microsoft just blew up the only reason you can't use a Linux desktop

ZDNet ^ | 15 July 2021 | Steven J. Vaughan-Nichols

[ShadowAce]

Microsoft has just announced the release of Windows 365 and Cloud PC. This new service, built on top of Azure Virtual Desktop, enables you to bring their Windows 10 and eventually Windows 11, desktop, apps, tools, data, and settings to your personal and work devices, including Windows PCs (naturally!) but Macs, iPads, Linux, and Android devices as well.

Let me repeat that: Windows 365 will enable you to run your Windows desktop, apps, data, etc., etc. on Linux. That's the Linux desktop they're talking about.

Ever since I started running Linux back in the early '90s, I've heard over and over again that people couldn't possibly run a Linux desktop because it doesn't run this Windows application or that Windows program. Well, guess what kids, that excuse doesn't hold water anymore. 

Microsoft, yes, Microsoft now promises that you can run Windows on your Linux PC. We don't know exactly how they're going to do that. It might be by using a native Remote Desktop application or by a web browser. I'll bet that on Linux -- and probably on iPads, Macs, and Android devices -- it will be done over a web browser.

After all, the Linux-powered Chrome OS has already shown that you can do most of your enterprise work on just a browser alone. Indeed, Microsoft's entire move to a subscription, cloud service-based desktop was foreshadowed by Google's Chromebooks.

According to Wangui McKelvey, Microsoft 365's General Manager, regardless of your platform, "The Windows experience is consistent, no matter the device." This makes me even more inclined to think that you'll be using Windows 365 via a web browser. And, in particular, Microsoft will encourage you to use Edge on Linux. 

So, what exactly can you run with Windows 365 "on" your Linux PC? Microsoft promises it will support most of its business application suite -- Microsoft 365, Microsoft Dynamics 365, Microsoft Power Platform -- line. Microsoft also promises app compatibility with Microsoft's Fastrack App Assure. This is a service that will help your business with 150 or more users fix any end-user programs problems at no additional cost. 

Microsoft has also been working with its independent software vendor (ISV) partners. The four biggest who will immediately offer their applications on Windows 365 are Nerdio, NetApp, ServiceNow, and UKG.  In addition,  Accenture/Avanade; Atos; Crayon; Content and Cloud; Convergent; Coretek; DXC; Glueck & Kanja GAB; Insight; and Netrix will bring their programs and services to Windows 365. 

This isn't just for big businesses. For small and midsize businesses, Iconic IT; MachineLogic; and Nitec Solutions are already supporting Windows 365. 

Of course, there are notable exceptions who aren't on board yet. I'm sure you noticed Adobe and Intuit aren't on the list. Sure, some of their programs, like Adobe Acrobat, will be available on Linux via Windows 365, but big name programs such as Photoshop, Indesign, and QuickBooks have yet to make an appearance. 

Give them time. Microsoft's made it clear. The future for Windows in business is going to be on its Azure cloud. Microsoft doesn't really care that much about Windows on the desktop per se, it's all about getting subscribers to its Windows Desktop-as-a-Service (DaaS). Whether you choose to run it on Linux or a Mac, whatever, they're fine with that now.

[2 Kool 2 Be 4-Gotten]

Been doing essentially this at work for literally years.

Not in the MS cloud but in a different cloud. It’s useful for doing complex operations involving MS Exchange and doing the odd MS office document.

As far as this user is concerned - old news.

[dayglored]

Windows on Linux ... PING!

You can find all the Windows Ping list threads with FR search: just search on keyword "windowspinglist".

Thanks to ShadowAce for the ping!

[Pollard]

Yeah I’ve run Win in virtualbox but never did figure out how to get USB ports working which I’d need for my auto repair info and scantool along with special drivers for the scantool usb adapter so I said screw it. I can reboot in under a minute since Kubuntu shuts down in about 5 seconds. This Thinkpad W530 + Kubuntu with Plasma desktop is the fastest most stable system I’ve ever run.

BTW, KDE made a lightweight browser called Falkon. Pretty basic but pretty fast. Supposed to use less resources than firefox/chrome. Whatever extensions are available are built in and you just enable/disable them and one of them is Adblocker. I haven’t bothered importing bookmarks or anything. I use it mostly for streaming video. Does well with that.

[dayglored]

==> You’re not running it on Linux, you’re running it on Azure. You’ll be CONNECTING to it from Linux. But not running it there.

True, but for most users, that distinction is a total who-cares.

You and I and a few other techies care, for sure. All my Windows work these days is over RDP, from Linux and sometimes a Mac. Who cares, as long as I can get to my Outlook, and manage the Win servers.

[discostu]

Until your internet goes out and you can’t get to your machine.

Yeah, it’s a distinction 90% of the world doesn’t comprehend. But it is actually a pretty big distinction. Like the fact that, if you pony up the cash, you can run dozens of machines on Azure and not impact your desktop’s performance. Plus of course ZDNet is SUPPOSED to be a tech rag, they really should get the little things right.

[butlerweave]

Windows 11 is a combination of KDE/Gnome Linux desktop environment

[dhs12345]

Lol. Agreed. Why?

[dhs12345]

Plus it is more secure. VBox isolates your network from prying eyes like Facebook and other evil Big Tech types.

[ptsal]

Post 8-
I admire your bravery.
thanks for the report.

[Bikkuri]

To get the USB working, you need to install the "Guest Additions".

I remember having that same problem, and there was very little help online at the time. Thankfully, there is much more information about that nowadays.

Thank you for the inofo on the new browser.. will check it out 😉

[Pollard]

I had that but just couldn’t be bothered to go through the rest of it.

[Bikkuri]

Agreed. I have actually put all known FB URLs in my hosts file to redirect to null. ;^)

hang on, I will post the section in my hosts file of FB URLs:

"
127.0.0.1   		www.facebook.com
127.0.0.1   		facebook.com
127.0.0.1   		login.facebook.com
127.0.0.1   		www.login.facebook.com
127.0.0.1   		fbcdn.net
127.0.0.1   		www.fbcdn.net
127.0.0.1   		fbcdn.com
127.0.0.1   		www.fbcdn.com
127.0.0.1   		static.ak.fbcdn.net
127.0.0.1   		static.ak.connect.facebook.com
127.0.0.1   		connect.facebook.net
127.0.0.1   		www.connect.facebook.net
127.0.0.1   		apps.facebook.com
"

[Kevmo]

+1 gazillion

[Bikkuri]

"as I can get to my Outlook"

I'm curious why you aren't using Thunderbird instead of M$ Outlook?

[Bikkuri]

Wasn’t it ZDNet that, a few years ago, was busted for inserting bloatware/malware on installation files?

[Bikkuri]

"Windows 11 is a combination of KDE/Gnome Linux desktop environment"

Mixing Plasma with Gnome is probably not a good thing...

[daniel1212]

"because it doesn't run this Windows application or that Windows program. Well, guess what kids, that excuse doesn't hold water anymore. "

I wonder it that means Linux can use Windows Device manager to update, disable or install drivers? I recently tried to install over 10 latest Linux distros, mainly the most popular and yet none of them would recognize or even list even one of the 3 USB wireless adapters I had plugged in, except that Kubuntu showed an option for one under Software sources but choosing it had no success. Puppy actually offered the most help in this endeavor. I got Kubuntu connected using a internal PCi-e Express Qualcomm Atheros AR938x Wireless Network Adapter and installed it. But I know no Linux Device manager truly comparable to Windows Device Manager (which itself could be improved but Windows will likely diminish it, which they are doing with Control Panel) that will both extensively list hardware and enable one to update, disable or install drivers (Hardwareinfo is good but not as extensive not offering the latter functions). And I am using Kubuntu sometimes on an old PC but with arthritic fingers I want to remap keys and make hotkeys which I can easily do with AutoHoKey ( which is about as much "coding" as I do) and can engage much customization using safe and free GUI programs under Windows than any Linux distro.

Like over 200 tweaks available in in Ultimate Windows Tweaker 4 for Windows 10 From the Windows club.

Add to this Winaero features of the Winaero Tweaker

Then there is Right-Click Extender (add items to many right click menus) , and T-Clock Redux and Classic Shell, now called Open Shell (https://github.com/Open-Shell/Open-Shell-Menu/archive/master.zip)

Composite (with my own Quick Launch menu) using T-Clock and Open Shell, by the grace of God.:

[daniel1212]

"Kubuntu with Plasma desktop is the fastest most stable system I’ve ever run."

My most recent choice, since I like the KDE desktop the most. But I do not install proprietary codecs due to the unresolved legal issues.

[daniel1212]

"Agreed. I have actually put all known FB URLs in my hosts file to redirect to null. ;^) hang on, I will post the section in my hosts file of FB URLs: "

I have used a modified (I took ownership of the host file) version of the free MVPS Hosts file for years, thank God for such helps.

[Openurmind]

NO... Just say NO...

What kind of complete idiot would completely turn over control of their computer to MS? This is worse than just “phoning home” to MS. This will give them complete control of you machine. They will be able to control your camera, microphone, and all your files. Any one who falls for this BS scam is a total idiot.

Nip this concept in the bud and just say no. Because if not it will become the new trending internet standard and there will be no other options. Get Linux now and tell MS to go screw themselves. Seriously... This is not a door we want to open or entertain one little bit. You will be sorry if you do. Bet on it...