All that users will need to access the online Windows Vista and Windows XP desktops is a browser and Internet access. "Your personal Windows desktop on any computer in the world." This is the promise delivered by Nivio, a company that hosts Windows XP online allowing customers to access the files and software on their web-based desktops via nothing more than a browser program and a broadband Internet connection with a minimum speed of 128 Kbps.

Nivio is offering online Windows XP desktops, but will add Windows Vista down the road. The company motivated their choice of the operating system because of Windows platform's dominance over the worldwide OS market. "The Microsoft Windows operating system is used by 96% of the population, so when we looked to design a desktop available on the web we thought why change something everyone loves. At Nivio we focus out time & efforts on delivering a better service rather than re-inventing the wheel," reads a message posted on the Nivio's official website.

Currently, Nivio's offer is limited to Windows XP as the project is in beta stage; however, the company informed that it will also begin to deliver Windows Vista once the hosted service reaches the final phase. User will login to the online operating system, either Windows Vista or Windows XP, through a Nivio account.

"The user simply visits www.nivio.com and logs in using a username & password, The user is then presented with a Windows Desktop. Nivio lets the user choose whether they want to run in full screen or within the browser (so you can see your local machine's start menu as well). When you want to exit just close the browser or hit log off. Within this desktop users can work in an identical way that they would if they were using their PC. Like all web services, data is stored with Nivio, no backups are needed, no need to worry about crashes the service is always available," Nivio revealed.

The standard Nivio package contains Windows XP, 5 GB of storage space, Back Up capabilities, Virus Protection, Antispam functionality, and a plethora of software applications available to use, trial or buy for just $12.99 per month.