Microsoft Launches Cloud PC: Windows 365

Microsoft Launches Cloud PC: Windows 365

Microsoft unveiled its Windows 10 desktop, Windows 365, which streams from the cloud on July 14 at its annual partner conference, Inspire.

Also known as Cloud PC, Windows 365 differs from Azure Virtual Desktop (AVD, formerly known as Windows Virtual Desktop) in that it does not require any direct interaction with Microsoft Azure by users. . Microsoft describes it as a Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) product, where AVD is considered Platform-as-a-Service (PaaS).

Users will be able to sign in to the portal from any device and securely stream apps, data and content from the cloud to individual desktops, in their browser or via the macOS, Android or Windows Remote Desktop client. When they switch devices, they can pick up where they left off.

Endpoints will be deployed and managed in Microsoft Endpoint Manager; No additional virtual desktop expertise or resources are required. Deployment takes minutes, allowing administrators to select from a library of system images to suit different workloads. If companies prefer, they can create customized images that can be deployed from Endpoint Manager. Each user will run in a separate virtual machine.

image of windows 365 endpoint management

Endpoint Manager Manages Windows 365

At launch, there will be no offline mode, though Microsoft plans to offer one in the future. Windows 11 support will be added when the OS is generally available later this year.

Requirements and Availability

There is a long list of requirements for companies planning to deploy to Windows 365, including an environment consisting of Azure subscriptions, Azure virtual networks, and hybrid Azure AD. Customers can choose from several Windows 365 license types that reflect the required virtual machine power. Microsoft says that graphical enhanced options will be added in the near future.

Chart of Available Windows 365 VMs

Windows 365 VM configuration for different workloads

Partners are already jumping on board. In line with Microsoft's announcement, NetApp, Microsoft's Partner of the Year in Customer Experience, debuted Windows 365 with Spot PC, a custom offering for its partner community that enables full Windows 365 access through NetApp's Spot PC. can be integrated. Managed infrastructure service is billed directly as a managed service provider (MSP) or partner.

Windows 365 will be available to commercial customers on August 2 through Microsoft Cloud Solutions Providers, and enterprises will be able to add it to their existing enterprise agreements. Pricing will be per user, per month, and will be revealed on August 1.