Almost 10,000 Microsoft engineers already use dev boxes, and the cloud PCs will roll out to developers this July
Developers will gain a powerful new Cloud PC service from Microsoft this summer.
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What you need to know
Microsoft has a growing number of cloud computing services. Last year at Build 2022, the tech giantunveiled Dev Box, a cloud PC service for developers powered by the same technology asWindows 365. At this year’s Build, Microsoft shared that Dev Box will become generally available in July 2023.
Dev Box has been in private and public preview testing since it was initially announced. Microsoft worked with 50 organizations across a range of industries to improve the service. General Motors, National Instruments, and 1ES worked with Microsoft throughout public and private preview testing to provide feedback and refine Dev Box. Now, Dev Box is ready for prime time, or at least it will be in a few months.
Anthony Cangialosi, the group project manager of Microsoft’s Developer Division, shared how Dev Box has evolved since it first rolled out in preview.
Cangialosi outlined Microsoft’s priorities when improving the capabilities of Dev Box:
In addition to working with partners to get feedback, Microsoft has rolled out Dev Box to many of its own employees. Over 9,500 engineers at the company already use one or more dev boxes. Cangialosi said the onboarding process that once took days now takes roughly 20 minutes.
Ahead of its launch in July, Dev Box will have the following features available in public preview:
The new capabilities of Dev Box should reduce how long it takes developers to get back into their workflow, both when starting a project and when returning to work on any given day.
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Sean Endicott is a tech journalist at Windows Central, specializing in Windows, Microsoft software, AI, and PCs. He’s covered major launches, from Windows 10 and 11 to the rise of AI tools like ChatGPT. Sean’s journey began with the Lumia 740, leading to strong ties with app developers. Outside writing, he coaches American football, utilizing Microsoft services to manage his team. He studied broadcast journalism at Nottingham Trent University and is active on X @SeanEndicott_ and Threads @sean_endicott_.
