Microsoft is reported to be experimenting with a low-cost version of the popular Windows operating system called Windows 10 Cloud. The software giant seems to be keeping PC makers away from Google Chrome OS and consumers from Apple's Pad alternative.

Windows RT and Windows 8.1 with Bing did not make too much noise in the industry. Microsoft could only hope that Windows 10 Cloud is a different story. There is limited information about the new operating system, but tech experts believe that the name does not imply it is powered by a cloud or streamed to a device.

The Register suggests that Windows 10 Cloud is a response to Google's Chromebook which is affordable, lighter, safer and simpler. However, the Global market Insight forecasts that 17 million Chromebooks will be sold by 2023. In 2014, there were are 5.3 million Chromebooks sold. Sadly, PC shipments have continuously declined for the last five years.

Microsoft Windows 8.1's license fee has been reduced to urge hardware partners to produce low-cost PCs that can compete with Chromebooks. The tech company has also launched Microsoft Intune for Education which is designed to make the Windows powered devices more appealing to the industry. Google's G Suite for Education has also been widely adopted by many school institutions.

ZD Net has reported that Windows 10 Cloud will be a simplified version of Windows which is designed to run Microsoft's universal apps from the store, which is similar to Windows RT. There is no official release date for this new Windows 10 Cloud version, but reports suggest that it could arrive soon.

Microsoft may now be preparing to test the new version and hopefully deliver it later this year together with the second planned update for Windows 10. Google has also announced that in 2017, all Chromebooks can run Android apps which is likely going to outpace the Windows PC.

Tags: Windows 10 Windows 10 Cloud microsoft Google google chromebook chromebook