If you thought you have seen enough of Windows 10 variants… Microsoft is working on yet another one with a new “Windows 10 Enterprise for Remote Sessions” in development. The latest Windows 10 Insider Preview ISO images released earlier this week refer to a new Windows 10 SKU that could introduce the capability of supporting multiple users logged in to remote desktop sessions simultaneously.
A couple of months ago, Mary Jo Foley had reported that the Redmond software giant is planning a new “multi-session” capability for Windows 10 that would enable admins to provide remote desktop/app access to a small set of users from Windows 10 Enterprise. It appears this new SKU will do just that.
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“Windows 10 Enterprise for Remote Sessions” on the way
While Microsoft has already offered remote desktop features with its Windows desktop operating system, it has largely only supported a single remote session for remote administration. This new Windows 10 SKU offers a multi-user, multi-session capability with at least 10 concurrent users.
Windows 10 Enterprise users would continue to have the ability to run a single Windows 10 machine virtually. However, those who want to make apps available remotely to a set of users will be able to go with the new Windows 10 SKU instead of going for Windows Server. Foley said that sources suggest this new SKU will reduce dependence on Windows Server, which has a problem with updates when it comes to remote management.
Similar to Windows 10, Windows Server also receives two updates a year. However, as Arstechnica noted the “full desktop environment – required for Remote Desktop sessions – will not be included in the SAC releases of Windows Server” as it’s restricted to the Long Term Servicing Channel (LTSC) releases of Windows Server. This means organizations have to wait for nearly three years before a new LTSC release during which time a normal Windows 10 edition would get quite an upgraded experience. “As such, companies wanting to ensure a consistent desktop environment between thin and thick client users might well prefer to use the new SKU,” the publication wrote.
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While Microsoft has refused to comment on this new Windows 10 edition, it makes perfect sense in the era of Windows as a Service. “In other words, Microsoft is taking Terminal Server out of Windows Server and moving (it) into Windows 10,” Brian Madden had commented earlier this year when the first hints had started coming in. “If true, this is fantastic.”
With Windows 10 Redstone 5 releasing in October, we should hear more about Windows 10 Enterprise for Remote Sessions in the coming weeks, ahead of the public launch.
