Microsoft will hold virtual events on Windows, gaming, and more this year

Several major efforts from Microsoft will be highlighted in special virtual events

What you need to know

• Microsoft will hold a series of digital events covering gaming, the cloud, and Windows over the coming months.
• These events will be in addition to events such as Build and Ignite.
• The first event will take place later this week and will focus on what's next for Microsoft 365.

Microsoft plans to hold a series of digital events over the coming months that will focus on gaming, the cloud, and Windows, according to a new report from The Verge. The first event will take place later this week and will focus on Microsoft 365.

After the event on Microsoft 365 this week, Microsoft will reportedly hold events on its cloud ambitions, gaming, Windows, and security. These events should be spread out over the coming months.

These events will not replace other Microsoft events like Build or Ignite. Instead, they will be separate events that focus on specific categories. The Verge states that "these separate events are designed to highlight what its product changes mean for entire categories."

While we don't have any word on what these events will cover specifically, The Verge speculates that the Windows event will likely focus on Sun Valley and Windows 10X. Sun Valley is an upcoming major update to Windows 10 that will bring a refreshed design and new features. Windows 10X is a new version of Windows that's built from the ground up for certain PCs. Both of these are large efforts from Microsoft, so it makes sense that the company would want to have events to highlight them.

Microsoft's event on gaming will likely focus on the expansion of xCloud, according to The Verge. That comes as no surprise, since Microsoft continues to grow its cloud gaming platform. Xbox Cloud Gaming will come to PCs and iOS in Spring 2021, so it seems natural that Microsoft would discuss it more at an event.

The Verge highlights that this different approach comes during a global pandemic when people are working and studying remotely. There's a chance that if these new types of events are successful, that Microsoft could shift its strategy for events moving forward.