Things I would like to see in Windows 8 – Part 6 – Cloud Integration

December 15, 2009
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All my email is cloud based.

Most of my truly important files are backed up in “the cloud”.

It does seem a little dated that when I use the Microsoft Windows operating system, I am still storing files on hard drives. I then have to move files and settings around on Flash Drives or DVD’s.

Larry Ellsion has talked about the concept of the network computer for ever. Basically a thin client where all your files would be stored on the server cloud and you wouldn’t need to store anything locally.

The concept is old but even with Windows 7, we arent scratching the surface.

With Windows 8, I would like the following to occur:

On Monday, in Los Angeles, I buy Windows 8 and install it on my home PC.

As part of the standard Windows 8 installation package, I sign up for my Microsoft cloud ID. My (optional) Cloud ID allows me to have all my files sync with a cloud profile automatically.

It would be non intrusive as I could determine whether files would sync while I worked or only when the computer detected no activity.

On Tuesday, I fly to Philadelphia and take my laptop with Windows 8 on it. I log in with my Cloud ID and voila, my profile is the same, i have all the files I worked on last night.

On Wednesday, I work from texas at a different site and borrow a spare Windows 8 computer at an empty cube. I log on with my Cloud ID and voila, my files and profile are there as well.

Basically, this is embarrassing that we are still talking about the true roaming profile in 2009. This is something that should have been implemented years ago.

Something tells me that if Microsoft don’t go in this direction, Apple or Google will.

What do you guys think?

Article Categories:
Microsoft

Mike Johnson is a writer for The Redmond Cloud - the most comprehensive source of news and information about Microsoft Azure and the Microsoft Cloud. He enjoys writing about Azure Security, IOT and the Blockchain.

All Comments

  • Thats funny.

    I remember all the problems we had with Microsoft’s “roaming” network profiles and how those always got really f*&cked up..

    If they couldnt get those right….

    Mike Phelps January 4, 2010 9:23 am Reply
  • Google already uses this.

    Andrei May 25, 2010 11:45 am Reply
  • I don’t think it’s Microsoft’s responsibility to back up your files on servers. There are companies that do that already. And a flash drive would work just fine, would be safer and would have no down time.

    David Bergeron September 14, 2010 4:22 pm Reply
  • yeah trust someone else and defer your own responsibility
    really how hard is it to walk around with a usb drive

    Whybother November 23, 2010 12:35 am Reply
  • How can you store all my data to cloud if i have 1Tb hdd with only 200Mb free ? Where i store that data ?What if i am in a place where i need some data and i have no internet access ?

    djcata03 January 14, 2011 3:11 pm Reply
    • If you know you’re not going to have web access and you need access to documents, take em on a flash drive. If it’s a surprise, then surprise – You’re out of luck!

      Onuora Amobi January 14, 2011 3:16 pm Reply

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