Microsoft unveils OS for devices that run AI agents, not apps

At the Build 2026 conference, Microsoft introduced Project Solara, a comprehensive chip-to-cloud platform engineered specifically for devices that run AI agents rather than conventional applications. This new ecosystem is built on a lightweight operating system derived from AOSP, integrates enterprise-grade security and management capabilities via Intune and Entra ID, and features what the company calls “just-in-time UI” , a system that enables agents to generate user interfaces on the fly.

Project Solara rethinks the device experience from the ground up. Instead of launching apps, users interact with autonomous agents that can handle tasks, retrieve information, and adapt to context without requiring a traditional app store or installed software. The platform’s architecture is designed to minimize latency and maximize efficiency by tightly coupling hardware, operating system, and cloud services.

Microsoft emphasized that security and manageability remain central to the platform. With Intune and Entra ID baked in, organizations can enforce policies, manage identities, and monitor devices just as they would with traditional endpoints. This makes Project Solara viable for enterprise deployment from day one.

The “just-in-time UI” concept is particularly notable. Rather than pre-rendering static interfaces, agents dynamically assemble screens and controls based on the user’s current task and context. This approach reduces bloat and allows for more fluid, adaptive interactions.

While details on specific hardware partners and release timelines remain scarce, Project Solara signals a major strategic shift for Microsoft , one that positions agent-first devices as the next frontier in personal computing. The company is betting that the future of interaction lies not in opening apps, but in commanding intelligent agents that do the work for you.