Microsoft patent reveals future streaming OS plans

By Tom Warren, on 17th Aug 11 12:29 pm with 22 Comments

A recently published U.S. patent has revealed Microsoft’s future plans for a streaming operating system.

The patent, entitled “Fast Machine Booting Through Streaming Storage”, details a method of booting a virtual PC operating system through remote storage. The patent covers a variety of devices from laptop devices to set top boxes and minicomputers. ConceivablyTech spotted the patent and note that Microsoft’s idea is based on virtual storage systems. Microsoft suggests that data require to boot up a machine would be pulled from storage and streamed to the device. The data could then be kept in a cache on the local device such as flash storage or RAM.

Microsoft describes the method as a technology that facilitates “fast boot because the virtual disk is available for use immediately, rather than needing to download an entire operating system image before booting from that downloaded image.” The company says the service would only need to be available for as long as data is required to boot the device. Microsoft could also implement the technology in a similar way to Apple’s Lion Internet Recovery. Apple’s latest OS X Lion operating system allows users to start their Mac directly from Apple’s servers. The system runs a test of memory and hard drive components before presenting a limited interface to select a Wi-Fi network and download and start a recovery operating system image.

Microsoft’s next Windows version will include cloud network integration. Early builds of Windows 8 suggest that Microsoft is planning to introduce settings synchronization to the Windows Live Cloud network. Windows 8 allows users to link their Windows Live Profile to a Windows 8 account to sync application settings, desktop customizations and a variety of other settings. Windows 8 also appears to have the ability to distinguish between networks that charge for data, like 3G or 4G networks, and those that have limited bandwidth. Microsoft will detail Windows 8 at its BUILD conference next month where we’ll learn whether the company has any immediate plans to stream Windows to devices.

  • JD

    The cloud is the future. Any company that isn’t jumping on the bandwagon will probably struggle to stay afloat in the next few years.

    • Zikalify

      I would prefer my OS wasn’t on the cloud, just dumb to leave all your information on there

    • Anonymous

      Agreed…. if you are paying anyone to host your OS in the cloud anyone can hijack your information easily…

    • Anonymous

      Yeah?

    • http://www.facebook.com/leoplan2 Alvaro Osvaldo López-García

      There is other problem: Data caps

    • Anonymous

      I don’t mind the os to be in the cloud, but I want the data stored locally. Large central storage site will be targets for cyberattacks.

    • Guest

      If you’ve been around this industry any length of time, then you know that the cloud has been the future at least three times already over the last couple decades. People often overestimate the speed at which new technology will be adopted. And right now, much of the world doesn’t even have dependable dial tone. So no, all cloud isn’t in their near future.

  • BigChiefSmokem

    This ain’t no cloud, time-sharing is back people! 

    It’s the circle of (tech) life.

  • http://twitter.com/BasKoene Bas Koene

    I think the cloud will fall. This synchronization idea is cool, I use it myself. But things like Chromebook aren’t. I don’t want all my stuff on Google’s servers.
    Anyways I’m pretty excited about Win8. I’m buying a touch monitor for it!

    • J A

      Google Chromebook is dead on arrival. It is s tupid idea to think that sticking a browser on linux so a user can only browse the internet and consume Google services is sensible. Why would I want to give up my PC that can get me to these same things and much more, also known as options?

    • Test1ngi23

      If you ignore price, of course the Windows PC is a MUCH better deal. I think the main selling point with Chromebooks is price, if you happen to only need web browsing. I’m a Google and Android fan, but I wouldn’t get a Chromebook.

    • http://pulse.yahoo.com/_KTAHVKS2RNDWTQPHQEJALLRNEQ Adam Paris

      Price? Did you know that a laptop or netbook with W7 is 200 dollars cheaper?

    • http://pulse.yahoo.com/_KTAHVKS2RNDWTQPHQEJALLRNEQ Adam Paris

      Price? Did you know that a laptop or netbook with W7 is 200 dollars cheaper?

    • Test1ngi23

      Sorry. I meant if you rent it. Buying a Chromebook outright is still stupidly expensive.

    • http://twitter.com/Wheezle211 Wheezle

      “If you ignore price, of course the Windows PC is a MUCH better deal.”

      This is one of the most bizarre sentences I’ve read in a while.

    • http://twitter.com/Wheezle211 Wheezle

      “If you ignore price, of course the Windows PC is a MUCH better deal.”

      This is one of the most bizarre sentences I’ve read in a while.

    • Mark

      Being a troll often requires resorting to tortured argument and comparisons.

    • http://twitter.com/Wheezle211 Wheezle

      “If you ignore price, of course the Windows PC is a MUCH better deal.”

      This is one of the most bizarre sentences I’ve read in a while.

    • http://twitter.com/oolong2 oolong2

      “the cloud” means a lot of different things to a lot of different people. 

      So when you say “the cloud will fail” it’s nearly the same as saying “the internet will fail”

    • http://twitter.com/oolong2 oolong2

      “the cloud” means a lot of different things to a lot of different people. 

      So when you say “the cloud will fail” it’s nearly the same as saying “the internet will fail”

  • http://www.facebook.com/people/Viki-Maverick/100002523433166 Viki Maverick

    What next…. Cloudfarms?

  • http://www.facebook.com/martin.zugec Martin Zugec

    This technology is in fact available for few years – originally available from Ardence, which was later acquired by Citrix. Have a look here to see it in action: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=moIuHqIc-PQ

    The patent doesn’t specifically mention whether it’s aimed at end-users or corporate segment, which means it could simply be an answer to the growing trends of VDI-based desktops.

    Martin