Windows Thin PC (WinTPC) is in short Windows 7 with a smaller footprint. It will allow users to repurpose PCs as thin clients, without requiring the VDA license to access VDI desktops.
Microsoft Windows Thin PC
In detail, Windows Thin PC (WinTPC) is a Microsoft Software Assurance (SA) benefit that provides a low footprint, locked down version of Windows 7 that enables organizations to repurpose existing PCs as thin clients, thereby reducing the need for new thin client hardware. And since these PCs retain their existing SA coverage, they do not need any additional Windows Virtual Desktop Access (VDA) licensing for Microsoft Virtual Desktop Infrastructure (VDI) Suites. 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.
WinTPC offers an excellent thin client experience by locking down the PC through write filters, while still providing users with a superior remote desktop experience through RemoteFX support. IT can deploy and manage WinTPC images for multiple PCs using System Center Configuration Manager, and push updates to these PCs using Windows Update or Windows Server Update Services (WSUS).
Microsoft recommends that customers begin their journey to thin clients by first repurposing existing PCs as thin clients with WinTPC and evaluate the benefits they would get with this architecture. Once WinTPC device hardware get decommissioned, customers can then purchase new Windows Embedded Thin Clients from our OEM partners without having to make changes to their existing management and security policies.
WinTPC is a locked-down version of Windows 7, and hence, will be able to run on any device capable of running Windows 7.
But the recommended specifications for running Windows Thin PC are:
- 1 GHz or faster 32-bit (x86) or 64-bit (x64) processor
- 1 GB RAM, 16 GB available hard disk space
- DirectX 9 graphics device with WDDM 1.0 or later version driver
- Bootable DVD-ROM drive.
Additionally, WinTPC leverages Windows Enterprise features such as BitLocker and AppLockerTM to further secure the endpoint.
