Microsoft patents system that swaps your personal files onto shared virtual computers
Microsoft describes a system where a single virtual computer acts as a personal device for different users by swapping out their specific storage and network connections. When a user logs in, their unique files and settings are attached to the virtual machine, and when they log out, those items are removed so the next user can attach their own.
In the filing’s own words
A multi-user virtual machine (VM) system is disclosed herein. Upon receiving a user login, first persistent storage and a first network interface card (NIC) are attached to a VM, where the VM operates as a personal computing device of a first user. Upon receiving a logout request for the user, the first persistent storage and the first NIC are detached from the VM. Thereafter, a second login is received, and second persistent storage and a second NIC are attached to the VM, where the VM operates as a personal computing device of a second user.
What exactly they claim (claim 1)
1. A computing system comprising: a processor; and memory storing instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to perform acts comprising: receiving a request to log in to a virtual machine (VM) from a client computing device that is being operated by a user; in response to receiving the request, obtaining a user profile, where the user profile includes an identifier for persistent computer-readable storage that is unique to the user profile; attaching the persistent computer-readable storage to the VM based upon the identifier for the persistent computer-readable storage included in the user profile, wherein a configuration of the VM is based upon content of the persistent computer-readable storage; and streaming graphical data from the VM to the client computing device.
Facts
- Company
- Microsoft (Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC)
- Official title
- MULTI-USER VIRTUAL MACHINE PLATFORM
- Publication number
- US20260310486A1
- Application number
- 19709244
- Filed
- Jun 16, 2026
- Published
- Oct 8, 2026
- Inventors
- 6
- Claims
- 20
Classified under
G06F 9/45558 Physics & computingG06F 2009/45583 Physics & computingG06F 2009/45595 Physics & computingMore from Microsoft in AI & software
- Microsoft patents method to check AI answers against verified facts Oct 20, 2026
- Microsoft patents AI that presents PowerPoint slides for you Sep 3, 2026
- Microsoft patents method to check if LLM answers are based on real data Sep 10, 2026
- Microsoft patents system to blend multiple AI agents into one chat Oct 1, 2026
- Microsoft patents system that answers questions using your screen history Oct 15, 2026
Summaries are simplified from the filing’s own abstract and first claim. A patent filing is not a product announcement.
Patent data and drawings: U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). Nebula is not affiliated with or endorsed by the USPTO.