If you loved the concept of Windows Thin PC—turning hardware into a dedicated terminal—here are your best bets today:

is a specialized, locked-down, lightweight version of Windows Embedded Standard 7, released by Microsoft in June 2011 . It was not a consumer product sold in retail stores. Instead, it was a volume-licensed operating system aimed squarely at enterprise customers .

Let’s take a look at what made Windows Thin PC special, why it faded away, and what modern alternatives exist today.

Boot from the USB and follow the streamlined installation process.

Technically speaking, Windows Thin PC was a stripped-down version of . It wasn't a full-fledged operating system meant for daily productivity tasks like writing Word docs or editing photos. Instead, it was designed to be a gateway.

Access your high-powered server or cloud desktop from hardware you thought was obsolete!