Skip to Content

Submit your nominations for the Luxist Awards' Best in Decor
AOL Tech

Filed under: OS Updates, Windows, Microsoft

Will Microsoft add an "Instant On" feature for Windows

Instant On
It's nice to have a computer capable of running software ranging from Photoshop CS4 to Doom 3. But sometimes all you really want your PC to do is run a web browser, chat application, or media browser. And do you really need to wait 30 seconds to 2 minutes for your whole operating system to boot up just for that?

No.

Companies like Splashtop have already developed software that lets you boot up a stripped down, Linux-based operating system that will let you launch a handful of applications just a few seconds after hitting the power button, without waiting for Windows, Ubuntu, or whatever full OS you're using to boot up. Now it looks like Microsoft could be working on something similar. Or at least considering it.

Engadget reports that Microsoft is sending out surveys to some people seeking opinions about an "Instant On" feature. Much like Splashtop, Instant On would apparently let users run certain programs without loading a full operating system. The survey asks users what kind of programs they would expect to use in an Instant On environment, ranging from chat applications to DVD players. My favorite option? "Full use of everything in Windows." Because that's clearly possible. Wait, no it's not.
jobs & resumes
iPhone developer

Groupon - Chicago, IL (2 weeks ago)

See More Relevant Jobs ›

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

Featured Time Waster

The World's Hardest Game 2.0 - Time Waster

So, just how good at time waster games are you? Think you've got the stuff? Well, The World's Hardest Game 2.0 doesn't think you do. Yes, amazingly, it's possible to have a sequel to a game called "The World's Hardest Game". It doesn't seem logically possible, since if the first one was actually the world's hardest, how could another one come along and share the moniker? It made me doubt the name in the first place. That is, until I tried the game. The mechanics of the game are very simple. You are a small red square, ...

View more Time Wasters

Featured Galleries

Defective by Design, London: Protest Pictures
Livescribe Store
Microsoft Security Essentials
Chromium Pre-Alpha on CrunchBang Linux
Safari 4 Beta
10 Firefox themes that don't suck
IE8 RC1
Download Squad at the Crunchies After-Party
Download Squad at the Crunchies
WordPress 2.7
Cooking Mama: Mama Kills Animals
Windows 7 Hands On
Comodo Internet Security
Android First-look: Amazon.com MP3 Store
Android First-look: Twitroid
Google Reader Android
Android Hands-On
Twine 1.0
Photoshop Express Beta
Mozilla Birthday Cake
Palm stuff

 


Follow us on Twitter!

Flickr Pool

www.flickr.com

More Tech Coverage

AOL Radio