Microsoft has unveiled the Windows 365 Link, a compact mini PC that operates on cloud-based Windows, essentially functioning as an advanced Remote Desktop machine. This device is equipped with commendable hardware, featuring an undisclosed Intel processor, 8GB of RAM, and 64GB of storage. However, the spotlight is on the unique operating system it employs.
To complement the Windows 365 Link, Microsoft has introduced a tailored version of Windows known as Windows CPC, codenamed “NXT.” This operating system is a streamlined variant of Windows, where the interface is primarily an HTML webpage. Notably, traditional components such as Explorer, Task Manager, and Notepad are absent, with the onboarding experience powered by Edge WebView2.
Curiosity piqued, I took the initiative to install Windows CPC, also referred to as NXT, on a virtual machine to explore its features. For those interested in a hands-on experience, here’s a straightforward guide to installing Windows CPC on your PC.
Run Windows CPC aka NXT
- Begin by loading the ISO file and proceed with the installation as you would with any standard Windows setup.
- Upon booting, you will be prompted to sign in using a work account, as standard Microsoft accounts are not supported.
- Interestingly, I encountered an issue where the OS could not connect to my Wi-Fi network, preventing the login screen from appearing. I attempted to initiate the shell via Command Prompt, but this led to an error.
Hands-on: Windows CPC Experience
Given the absence of a conventional Explorer interface, I accessed the Command Prompt from the onboarding page by pressing “Shift + F10.” Upon checking the Windows version, it displayed “Microsoft Windows [Version 10.0.26100.2314].” Delving into the System32 folder revealed several NXT-related files, including NXTShellLauncher.exe and NXTUpdateManager.exe.
In the Program Files directory, I found no pre-installed applications apart from Windows365, which housed the onboarding HTML file and associated images for the Windows CPC thin client. My attempts to execute various system applications such as taskmgr, resmon, diskpart, powershell, tasklist, and regedit were unsuccessful, leaving me with the ability to run only dxdiag, Narrator, and the on-screen keyboard through CMD.
As previously mentioned, Windows CPC aka NXT is undeniably a lightweight operating system. It bears a resemblance to a Windows version of ChromeOS, with most functionalities driven by Edge WebView2. While this OS is not designed for the average consumer, the concept of a lightweight Windows experience on personal computers remains an intriguing prospect. For those seeking a minimal Windows 11 alternative, Tiny11 may be worth exploring. Should you have any inquiries, feel free to leave your questions in the comments below.
How to Run Microsoft’s New Windows CPC (NXT) OS on Your PC
Microsoft has unveiled the Windows 365 Link, a compact mini PC that operates on cloud-based Windows, essentially functioning as an advanced Remote Desktop machine. This device is equipped with commendable hardware, featuring an undisclosed Intel processor, 8GB of RAM, and 64GB of storage. However, the spotlight is on the unique operating system it employs.
To complement the Windows 365 Link, Microsoft has introduced a tailored version of Windows known as Windows CPC, codenamed “NXT.” This operating system is a streamlined variant of Windows, where the interface is primarily an HTML webpage. Notably, traditional components such as Explorer, Task Manager, and Notepad are absent, with the onboarding experience powered by Edge WebView2.
Curiosity piqued, I took the initiative to install Windows CPC, also referred to as NXT, on a virtual machine to explore its features. For those interested in a hands-on experience, here’s a straightforward guide to installing Windows CPC on your PC.
Run Windows CPC aka NXT
Hands-on: Windows CPC Experience
Given the absence of a conventional Explorer interface, I accessed the Command Prompt from the onboarding page by pressing “Shift + F10.” Upon checking the Windows version, it displayed “Microsoft Windows [Version 10.0.26100.2314].” Delving into the System32 folder revealed several NXT-related files, including NXTShellLauncher.exe and NXTUpdateManager.exe.
In the Program Files directory, I found no pre-installed applications apart from Windows365, which housed the onboarding HTML file and associated images for the Windows CPC thin client. My attempts to execute various system applications such as taskmgr, resmon, diskpart, powershell, tasklist, and regedit were unsuccessful, leaving me with the ability to run only dxdiag, Narrator, and the on-screen keyboard through CMD.
As previously mentioned, Windows CPC aka NXT is undeniably a lightweight operating system. It bears a resemblance to a Windows version of ChromeOS, with most functionalities driven by Edge WebView2. While this OS is not designed for the average consumer, the concept of a lightweight Windows experience on personal computers remains an intriguing prospect. For those seeking a minimal Windows 11 alternative, Tiny11 may be worth exploring. Should you have any inquiries, feel free to leave your questions in the comments below.