Windows Thin PC (WinTPC) Release Candidate (RC) now available for download

Microsoft Windows Thin PC (WinTPC) enables customers to repurpose existing PCs as thin clients by providing a smaller footprint, a locked down version of Windows 7. This provides IT with significant cost savings for their thin client computing model since WinTPC is a benefit of Software Assurance (SA) and does not require the Windows VDA license that other thin clients would need to access VDI desktops.

Windows Thin PC empowers enterprises to maximize their end point hardware investments to access virtual desktops that are delivered using VDI or sessions. Windows Thin PC improves security and compliance on the device, by preventing data writes to disk.

Leverage your existing management strategy and tools such as System Center to centrally manage Windows Thin PCs through accelerated role based deployment of applications, security patches, updates, and data. Windows Thin PC also provides IT with the flexibility to revert back to PCs if necessary, in case the thin client computing model does not provide the benefits they were after.

In addition, Microsoft plans to Release to Manufacturing (RTM) within quarter 2 of this year (Q2 CY2011).

Key Features:
Microsoft promises the WinTPC will offer:

• Rich VDI experience through support for RemoteFX.
• Improved end point security by denying certain disk writes via filters.
• Enterprise-grade management support through System Center

Download Windows Thin PC Release Candidate:
WinTPC Release Candidate (RC) is now available for testing. You can download the RC version of WinTPC at website Microsoft Connect (Windows Live ID required)

Note: WinTPC is available as an .iso file.

System Requirements:
WinTPC requirements include a 1 GHz or faster processor, 1GB RAM, 16GB hard disk space, a DirectX 9 graphics device with Windows Display Driver Model 1.0 or later and a bootable DVD-ROM drive.

Source:

• Microsoft Windows Thin PC (WinTPC)