Chromebook laptops have become increasingly popular in recent years, especially in the world of education. While these computers handle most everyday tasks just fine, one of the biggest downsides is that they run ChromeOS instead of Windows. For many users, losing access to Windows features is a dealbreaker.
That may soon change, at least partially.
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inside A blog post, Microsoft dropped details on Windows Apps, a service that lets users access Windows devices and apps on multiple platforms, including desktops, laptops, phones, tablets and desktop web browsers — including Chromebooks and Macs. Basically, the new app lets you stream a copy of Windows running on a PC to another device.
The Windows app will feature a customizable home screen with access to multiple services and PCs from one screen, plus multiple monitor support, custom display resolutions, dynamic display resolution and scaling, Microsoft Teams optimization, and support for webcams, audio, storage devices, and printers. .
To access Windows apps, you’ll need the latest version of Windows 365 — which is becoming the new app. When you open 365, you’ll be notified of the change and see an option to explore Windows app features. After the tour, you can click “Home” and then see any remote devices or apps you have access to. Filters are available to help you find the right device.
Also: I tested Google’s new Chromebook Plus and the generative AI feature blew me away
Unfortunately, the new app isn’t available for everyone At the moment, it’s limited to users who have a business or school account, meaning it’s not accessible to most of the population A note on Official service page Indicates that the “Windows app is currently in preview” and adds that the final product may “change substantially” before release. The signing screen indicates that you can use a personal account to log in, but that functionality is not yet enabled.
Since the app is being released to a small portion of users first, a full rollout is probably not too far off. When that happens, it brings up the question – is this the first step to getting Windows fully into the cloud?