Microsoft has released WinTPC as an additional benefit for software assurance customers. You can get access to this benefit with SA for your desktops, or by buying VDA VDI licensing. Microsoft is aiming this version of Windows at those who are moving to VDI/RDS session hosts, and who want to convert some or all PCs into terminals. Terminals are expensive so WinTPC gives you another option. It will allow you to reuse existing PC hardware by converting them into terminals, but using the latest generation of Windows as the terminal OS. You’ll still have access to features like BitLocker, DirectAccess, RemoteFX, and AppLocker. You can also use System Center to manage WinTPC devices. Eventually, you’ll want to recycle your PC hardware, and then you can switch to dedicated terminal devices.
The system requirements for WinTPC are:
- 1 GHz or faster processor
- 1GB RAM
- 16GB hard disk space
- DirectX 9 graphics device with Windows Display Driver Model 1.0 or later
- Bootable DVD-ROM drive
I’m wondering about that DVD requirement. I’ve not involved myself in the beta, but surely the DVD requirement is not necessary if you deploy the OS using the network – this appears to be a supported option according to the FAQ.
It’s a shame that WinTPC is not supported in a VM — it would have been very useful to deliver a stripped down OS to home users for the purpose of using it to VPN into their desktops.
Interesting scenario Seth. Maybe it’s something you should post in connect.microsoft.com. Maybe they’ll test it and revist, create a virtual appliance/VHD for it.