Abstract: Techniques for integrating the access to a virtual desktop with a local device's operating system (OS) are disclosed. Providing this integration enables a streamlined, highly convenient process for accessing the virtual desktop via the local device, thereby providing a “login-to-cloud” mode. The system displays a login screen, which is native to the system's OS. User credentials for the virtual desktop are received at the login screen. These credentials are used to identify the user and user's corresponding virtual desktop. A stream of an image of the virtual desktop is then received and displayed. Therefore, despite the virtual desktop residing in the cloud environment, the virtual desktop can still be directly accessed via the native login screen of the local device.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for handing off execution of an application from a local computing device to a cloud-based computing device. The disclosed technology is directed to determining whether and when to initiate handing off the execution of the application based on monitoring resource consumption of the local computing device. When the application is not previously installed on the cloud-based computing device, the local computing device transmits an application installer executable to the cloud-based computing device for enabling use of the same application on the cloud-based computing device.

Abstract: A desktop switcher provides equally convenient user interface navigational access to remote virtual desktops as to local virtual desktops for reliable and convenient human-computer interaction. Underlying mechanisms transparently confirm remote computer availability and compatibility, transfer thumbnails between computers, and support remoting sessions. Virtual desktops may share a clipboard, a geographic location setting, and application thumbnails, despite being based on computers that are remote from one another, e.g., when only one of a session's computers resides in a cloud. Virtual desktop context menus may be shown and utilized remotely. A visual separator in the desktop switcher may distinguish local virtual desktops from remote virtual desktops.