Could Microsoft make an Edge OS?

Futurdreamz · Mar 15, 2023

The Tiny11 project (not recommended) does a great job of shrinking windows down dramatically, could Microsoft make a version of that the keeps Edge, the account system, and security stuff and have it be an OS that exclusively runs webapps? Windows Edge edition could be made available as a low cost OS license for very low end hardware, with the possibility to buy a license to upgrade to a full OS if the hardware can support it?

Winuser · Mar 15, 2023

There is a Windows 365 Cloud version of Windows. Welcome to your Windows 365 Cloud PC | Windows 365

SlicEnDicE · Mar 15, 2023

I have yet to figure out how Windows365 could be useful...it is quite pricey and you still need a computer to actually interact with the stuff, which also cost money...with a bit of extra investment you have a device that can do way beyond what the MAX W365 configurable specs can achieve...and all this for several years, and you would not always be dependent on a good network connection.

Futurdreamz · Mar 15, 2023

SlicEnDicE said:
I have yet to figure out how Windows365 could be useful...it is quite pricey and you still need a computer to actually interact with the stuff, which also cost money...with a bit of extra investment you have a device that can do way beyond what the MAX W365 configurable specs can achieve...and all this for several years, and you would not always be dependent on a good network connection.

the best use-case i can think of is that Microsoft could partner with internet cafes and libraries to set up fleets of thin-clients where anyone can walk up to one and securely log into their cloud PC. To the best of my knowledge nobody is trying that. I don't think that Windows 365 is even available for personal use.

Futurdreamz · Mar 15, 2023

that being said Windows 365 is largely unrelated to a hypothetical Edge OS, where the device is just a web browser that can use web apps. I'd go to the Microsoft Answers forum if I wanted unrelated answers to my questions.

SlicEnDicE · Mar 15, 2023

Futurdreamz said:
could Microsoft make a version of that the keeps Edge, the account system, and security stuff and have it be an OS that exclusively runs webapps

To answer your question. Yes they could...quite easily...will they?...I have no clue...but if there is money to be made, then definitely.

Futurdreamz · Mar 15, 2023

SlicEnDicE said:
To answer your question. Yes they could...quite easily...will they?...I have no clue...but if there is money to be made, then definitely.

it could be useful as a semi thin-client OS for libraries or internet cafes where you can log into your account and access all of your stuff, then when you are done the device wipes itself

SlicEnDicE · Mar 15, 2023

Futurdreamz said:
it could be useful as a semi thin-client OS for libraries or internet cafes where you can log into your account and access all of your stuff, then when you are done the device wipes itself

I agree. Would be very useful for such stuff. For now you can however configure Windows into Kiosk mode and define what can be ran...in this case Edge that gets reset after each user session.

Winuser · Mar 15, 2023

You could buy a Google Chrome book.

Futurdreamz · Mar 15, 2023

Winuser said:
You could buy a Google Chrome book.

For multiple reasons I do not consider a Google Chrome product to be appropriate for use.

That being said, for personal use someone could just install Edge for Linux in a very minimalistic linux build. It may even be possible to build and release an OS that is only able to launch Edge, such as by forking chromium os. Some intergration may be tricky to pull off though.

Winuser · Mar 15, 2023

Futurdreamz said:
For multiple reasons I do not consider a Google Chrome product to be appropriate for use.

But you think a device running Edge is? How many years did MS try to fix Internet Explorer before they had to throw in the towel? IMHO, MS is a follower and not a leader.

Ghot · Mar 15, 2023

I wouldn't want or trust a rent-a-OS, especially not one powered by EDGE.

Futurdreamz · Mar 15, 2023

Setting that opinion aside for now, it does look like it is not impossible to cobble together an Edge OS, but it would have restricted account access. It'd be a decent amount of work, but with enough spite it should be doable.

Ghot · Mar 15, 2023

Futurdreamz said:
Setting that opinion aside for now, it does look like it is not impossible to cobble together an Edge OS, even having single-sign-on where you can log into the computer using your microsoft account - though that access would be limited with the Edge browser handling everything else. It'd be a decent amount of work, but with enough spite it should be doable.

Doable is one thing, marketable is another.

Futurdreamz · Mar 15, 2023

Ghot said:
Doable is one thing, marketable is another.

people are slowly discovering that chromium-based Edge is actually much superior to Chrome or Firefox, and it would mostly just be a proof-of-concept anyways. it wouldn't be the craziest OS out there - that's reserved for Temple OS.

Winuser · Mar 15, 2023

Futurdreamz said:
people are slowly discovering that chromium-based Edge is actually much superior to Chrome or Firefox

That depends who you ask. A large number of Chrome or Firefox users would disagree. I'm one of them.

Futurdreamz · Mar 15, 2023

Winuser said:
That depends who you ask. A large number of Chrome or Firefox users would disagree. I'm one of them.

in which case let's agree to disagree and not bring unsolicited opinions to threads where they weren't asked for

in other news, building linux from scratch is kinda neat. a lot of copy&paste so far Welcome to Linux From Scratch!

Ghot · Mar 15, 2023

Futurdreamz said:
in which case let's agree to disagree and not bring unsolicited opinions to threads where they weren't asked for

in other news, building linux from scratch is kinda neat Welcome to Linux From Scratch!

If you're suffering from coders withdrawl... I'm sure there are some organizations that can help with that.

Sure... MS could make whatever they want, but again, I don't think the market would "go for it" right now.
If these forums are any indication... EDGE is not really, fully baked at the present time.

spapakons · Mar 16, 2023

For internet cafes you could also remotely access your home PC and work as if you were in-front of it. You can even copy-paste files if you need them. AnyDesk and RustDesk can be run without installing, so just donwload the file, type your computer's ID and connect. That means you should have set a permanent (not random) password at home. Also most people visit internet cafes to play games, not do work, so they would not be interested in buying thin clients. They always buy the faster gaming computers they can afford to play the latest games at a reasonable quality and speed and keep their customers coming.

TIP: If you have an old laptop you can use it to remotely access your home computer. You don't need to buy an expensive one to do your work. Also any dual core laptop with at least 4GB RAM can be used to watch Netflix at standard definition or some casual gaming (simple, not demanding games).

ThrashZone · Mar 16, 2023

Hi,
Funny isn't edge os windows on android :lmao:

Could Microsoft make an Edge OS?

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