Woody Walton

Microsoft is always looking to increase the value of Software Assurance (SA). The Addition of Windows Thin PC, WinTPC for short, does just that. In a world where virtualization is being employed more and more, where VDI, Thin Clients, and Remote Desktop Services (RDS) are becoming more attractive and commonplace, Microsoft Licensing must evolve as well. WinTPC’s incorporation into SA is a reflection of that.

On June 7th Microsoft Released Windows Thin PC to Manufacturing (RTM). It will be available for SA customers to download starting this Sunday, July 1st, 2012. You can read more about the release and vision behind WinTPC on the Windows Team Blog here.

WinTPC works with other benefits within Software Assurance to allow organizations to better take advantage of their legacy hardware, extending its lifecycle by using it as a de facto thin client.

From the Windows Thin PC FAQ

Windows® Thin PC (WinTPC) is an upcoming Microsoft® Software Assurance (SA) benefit that provides a low footprint, locked down version of Windows 7 that enables organizations to repurpose existing PCs as thin clients, thereby reducing the need for new thin client hardware. And since these PCs retain their existing SA coverage, they do not need any additional Windows Virtual Desktop Access (VDA) licensing for Microsoft Virtual Desktop Infrastructure (VDI) Suites…

The neat thing about WinTPC is that is hosts many of the premier capabilities included within Windows 7 enterprise (keeping in mind its limitations and purpose). Some capabilities include:

• RemoteFX support
• BitLocker
• AppLocker
• IT can deploy and manage WinTPC images and push updates to these PCs using Windows Update or Windows Server® Update Services (WSUS).

In case you are wondering about the recommended system requirements for WinTPC they are below: Agnichirakukal malayalam book pdf.

• 1 GHz or faster 32-bit (x86) or 64-bit (x64) processor
• 1 GB RAM
• 16 GB available hard disk space
• DirectX 9 graphics device with WDDM 1.0 or later version driver
• Bootable DVD-ROM drive

You can find out additional information on the Windows Thin PC Landing Page on Microsoft.com.

Although the power consumption of PCs is usually higher than true thin clients, the cost barrier is much lower as thin client costs range from $100-$700 dollars AND you will still need to purchase VDA (Virtual Desktop Access) for them which is roughly $100 dollars per year. For that price, an organization could either continue an existing SA subscription on client systems, buy VDA only (which also includes WinTPC rights), OR purchase a subscription to Windows Intune. Windows Intune provides WinTPC, Windows 7 Enterprise, End Point Protection, and PC management from the cloud for approximately $11 dollars per device per month. A heck of a deal. You can find out more about Windows Intune here.

WinTPC is an interesting addition to the windows line-up!

I think I have a use for a few of those netbooks I have sitting around, if nothing else they will be a good test bed! Download free bramble report 1965 pdf to excel.

Cheers,

Woody

Microsoft announces the availability of Windows Thin PC. Windows Thin PC is based upon the proven foundation of enterprise class Windows 7 operating system.

Windows Thin PC enables customers to repurpose existing PCs as thin clients by providing a smaller footprint, locked down version of Windows 7. This provides organizations with significant benefits:

Reduced End Point costs for VDI: Windows Thin PC empowers enterprises to leverage their end point hardware investments to access virtual desktops that are delivered using VDI or sessions. Windows Thin PC is available as a benefit of SA, and hence does not represent any additional cost for SA customers. Windows Thin PC also provides IT with the flexibility to revert back to PCs if necessary, in case the thin client computing model does not provide the benefits they were after.

Excellent Thin Client experience: Windows Thin PC offers many of the benefits of a thin client. Organizations can improve security and compliance on their repurposed PCs, by using write filters to prevent data from being written to disk. Additionally, Windows Thin PC ensures a rich remote desktop experience through RemoteFX, enabling delivery of high fidelity multimedia content from centralized desktops.

Enterprise Ready platform: Windows Thin PC is built on the proven Windows 7 platform. Organizations can leverage existing management strategy and tools such as System Center to centrally manage Windows Thin PC, including accelerated role based deployment of applications, security patches, updates, and data. Enterprise features such as Bitlocker and Applocker further help IT secure their devices, while DirectAccess helps customers securely access their corporate data on repurposed laptops.

Microsoft recommends that customers who are currently evaluating thin client computing begin their journey by first repurposing existing PCs as thin clients with Windows Thin PC and evaluate the benefits they would get with this architecture. Once Windows Thin PC device hardware get decommissioned, customers can then purchase new Windows Embedded Thin Clients from our OEM partners without having to make changes to their existing management and security policies.

You can Download the 90 day evaluation

For more information visit http://www.microsoft.com/windows/enterprise/solutions/virtualization/products/thinpc.aspx