The last few years have seen an increase in the adoption of cloud-based solutions by a lot of organizations. As some employees were forced to work remotely, businesses have had to quickly develop hybrid work environments. With a lot of discussion about what the future may look like for organizations concerning work environments, the importance of cloud technologies has grown even more. In 2021, Microsoft launched the Windows 365 Cloud PC in an effort to set the standard for what a hybrid work environment can actually look like.
The Cloud PC is meant to be an easy-to-use platform that addresses the challenges that organizations have been facing with cloud-based technologies.
Adapting to the future with Cloud PC
Some people believe that as cloud technologies become more widely used, we may end up doing more work outside the office. And when you look at it from this perspective then organizations will need services like the Cloud PC to enable them to avail corporate data and assets to their employees from anywhere.
With plenty of organizations already heavily reliant on Windows products and services, the integration with the Cloud PC means that one can reasonably expect productivity levels to be maintained.
Especially when you consider that a massive 73% of workers would like to see flexible work conditions maintained. So if organizations can provide an ideal hybrid work environment that caters to the desires of their workers while maintaining or increasing productivity levels then it will be a great benefit to the business. And the Cloud PC could be perfect for organizations in the following scenarios:
Your staff is flexible enough to work in the office or from home.
You have staff working remotely using their personal devices.
You have plenty of staff who are temporary workers or you have a high staff turnover.
Your staff requires powerful computers that may not be easy to move around with.
You require a contingency plan that will enable you to have a PC or multiple in a matter of minutes if some disaster should occur.
Cloud PC offers a different approach
VDIs have been a very popular platform over the years to meet the virtual technology needs of most organizations. However, legacy VDI has proven to be somewhat limited in what it can offer businesses. For instance, as the number of users and the distance from the office increases, VDI performance diminishes noticeably.
This slows down productivity and affects the organization’s performance as a whole. Not to mention that your VDI infrastructure can be very costly to maintain and also requires significant IT resources. With Windows 365’s Cloud PC, all these issues are addressed with various options available to cater to the needs of small and large enterprises alike.
Providing a simpler solution
Trying to modify existing VDI infrastructure to cater to modern needs can be an extremely challenging task. If you are to accommodate a hybrid work environment then ideally you want something easy to use. And the Cloud PC can give you that. The pricing is flexible and structured to meet the needs of different organizations.
You can also scale up or down as per your requirements. Thus, your organization will only need to pay for the resources you use. Moreover, the service is easy to set up and does away with complex, lengthy provisioning processes. Microsoft wants you to be up and running in under an hour. All of this adds up to give you a Cloud PC that can be of immense value to your business’ hybrid work environment.
Enhanced Windows 11 integration
Microsoft is constantly making improvements to the various products and services that support hybrid work environments. This year, Microsoft has announced new features that will improve the integration between Windows 11 and Windows 365.
All this was a part of the virtual event aptly titled ‘Windows Powers the Future of Hybrid Work‘. Some of the things to look forward to include the Windows 365 Switch. With this feature, users will be able to move between a Cloud instance and an actual desktop PC with a single click.
Another interesting feature is Windows 365 Boot which is going to allow you to boot straight to a Windows 365 Cloud PC. And it will only take a single step. In addition, when you find yourself in a situation where you have no internet connection, you can use Windows 365 Offline to continue working. And then when you manage to get back online there’ll be an automatic resync without losing any data.
Resolving accessibility issues
As previously alluded to above, legacy VDI systems for all they can do will probably start to become problematic the further away you are. So as one would expect, this can put significant restrictions on a hybrid work environment.
But, when it comes to the Cloud PC, one of its most attractive features is the accessibility that users get. This gives organizations a great incentive to migrate their desktop environment to the cloud.
When using the Cloud PC, users don’t need to worry about restricting their movements. They can easily move around and still access their Cloud PCs wherever they are. All you need is a decent internet connection and you can ‘carry your desktop’ with you in your pocket.
Flexible requirements
Another way that the Windows 365 Cloud PC addresses the challenges presented by hybrid work environments is by making the terms flexible. For instance, when it comes to devices, for the most part, it doesn’t really matter what device you are using. Whether you prefer Windows or Linux, Android or iOS, you can still access the Cloud PC.
This means that organizations need not worry about making significant investments in devices before embarking on the migration of their desktop environment to the cloud. Not only that, but users can be comfortable using the devices of their choice.
Furthermore, even when using multiple devices, you don’t need to worry about losing progress. If you need to use more than one device then you’re not going to be facing any accessibility issues.
What about security?
No one can deny the potential benefits that a service like the Cloud PC can bring to most organizations. However, with all the great features, arguably the biggest concern would be just how secure it is.
Can users really access corporate resources from anywhere using any device without compromising the organization’s cyber security? And the answer is yes.
Windows 365 has put measures in place to resolve some of those security concerns by using a Zero Trust architecture. A service that also comes with multi-factor authentication (MFA). This means that login or access attempts to the Cloud PC will be verified using integration with Microsoft Azure Active Directory.
Furthermore, you will get options to delegate specific permissions such as licensing, device management, and cloud PC management using specific rules. This is in addition to getting to use Microsoft Defender for Endpoint to improve your overall security posture.
In addition to all the above, there is also high level encryption for all stored data at rest, all managed disks running Windows 365-based Cloud PCs, as well as all network traffic to and from the PCs.
Employee collaboration
Communication and collaboration are things that can be severely hindered by hybrid working. This can create a situation that lowers staff morale and adversely affects productivity. With the Cloud PC, Microsoft has attempted to eliminate these issues by integrating Microsoft Teams into the service.
Using a collaboration platform is going to enhance hybrid working by creating a great team space that promotes the making of creative decisions and communication. When you can use features such as online video calling and screen sharing, multi-user real-time collaboration becomes easier.
It also helps to manage the isolation one may experience when working remotely. Other features such as chat function, document sharing, audio conferencing, and plenty more will only serve to enhance the hybrid work experience potentially boosting productivity.
Staff management
Effective management of staff members that are working remotely can be a nightmare of a problem. Communication issues can be common at the office so when you have remote staff it can be significantly worse.
Management can leverage Microsoft Teams to create channels for small groups within departments or for project-based collaboration. Doing this helps your team members to collaborate with greater ease.
However, even with this arrangement you still need effective file management to work quickly and efficiently. For this, you can use Sharepoint so that you can keep your files centralized and easy to access.
Another feature that will come in useful is the recording of meetings. This means all team members, in particular any who may have been absent, can get a copy of the meeting to review at their convenience.
And when it comes to project management, you can make use of OneNote to view and manage the tasks of all team members. So when you take these and all the other features available, you’ll get a platform that can significantly enhance staff management and overall team culture.
IT expenses
Changing the way your organization operates can often come at a hefty cost. With that in mind, Microsoft wants to lower IT expenses for businesses looking to establish a hybrid work environment. This is something you can see in the hardware department. Because users will have desktops running in the cloud, you don’t need to make any significant investments in new devices.
In addition, because the Cloud PC handles the heavy computing on the Azure cloud, your organization’s hardware refresh rate will potentially decrease. Furthermore, with Windows 365 being easy to set up, you’ll save even more by not needing to bring in specialist IT professionals. Your IT people will be able to deploy and manage the configuration of any PC pretty much like they have been doing all along.
Licensing concerns with Cloud PC
Your organization may be rightly concerned as to how using the Cloud PC will affect their current licenses. Do you need to pay more for Microsoft services? But, Microsoft has set it up such that if you already have a Microsoft 365 E3 license, for instance, then you won’t need to pay twice for the same service. This means that you can continue to use the software you have paid for and that includes Windows 10.
So as far as the Windows 365 licenses are concerned, all you need is to pay for access to the virtual PC service. The latter will be maintained by Microsoft on its vast network of servers with the aim of running the software that you already have. Therefore, it’s basically like buying a computer and then purchasing the operating system and applications that you need.
The licensing requirements are as follows:
On Windows Pro endpoints: Windows 10 Enterprise E3 + EMS E3; or Microsoft 365 F3, E3, E5 ,or BP (Business Premium);
On non-Windows Pro endpoints: Windows VDA E3 + EMS E3; or Microsoft 365 F3, E3, F5, or BP (Business Premium).
Wrap up about Cloud PC
A lot of organizations have countless concerns about establishing a hybrid work environment. These concerns can understandably be a stumbling block. However, Microsoft has introduced the Windows 365 Cloud PC to address the challenges that organizations typically face with hybrid environments.
The Cloud PC is easy to set up and offers several different options to cater to the various organizations that may be interested in Windows 365. This gives businesses a service that their employees can use to create flexible work schedules. Users can easily remain productive wherever they may be using just about any device.
As some would say, hybrid work environments are the future. So, if that is the case, then taking advantage of a platform like the Windows 365 Cloud PC would be a great choice to make.
In an ever-evolving tech environment, organizations are seeking solutions that can keep pace with their increasing needs. So as giants in this space, it comes as no surprise that Microsoft and Citrix have maintained a working relationship over the decades.
Cloud-based technology brings greater flexibility to the working environment. And these two businesses are looking to further enhance the way organizations operate.
In a recent announcement, Microsoft informed the tech world that it will be bringing to the table a new solution that will integrate Citrix’s high-definition user experience (HDX) technology with Windows 365. With growing distributed workforces across the globe, this integration can help to empower users anywhere to easily access their cloud-hosted Windows desktops.
Embracing flexible work models
The last couple of years saw the world having to deal with a global pandemic. These conditions forced most organizations to rethink their work strategies. Restrictions in a lot of regions meant that businesses had to make changes. Companies adapted their physical workspaces as well as the overall workforce management policies.
As this was unfolding, both Microsoft and Citrix saw the need to aid businesses by providing potential solutions. By working together, these two enterprises aimed to help enterprises accelerate their move to the cloud.
Cloud-based solutions have played a monumental role in helping businesses to adapt to a new working model that has enormous potential for development. And as we have witnessed with Windows 365 over the last year, cloud solutions are a great option for enhancing your organization’s work environment.
Recap of Windows 365
For those who may be as yet unfamiliar with Windows 365, this relatively new product is a Cloud PC subscription service. It enables users to access their Windows desktops from anywhere using any device.
Launched in 2021, Windows 365 is built on the solid foundation that is Azure Virtual Desktop (AVD). However, there are several differences between Windows 365 and AVD. One such difference with the former, each user is assigned a personal cloud virtual desktop service. In simple terms. This means that each user receives their own Windows 10 or 11 machine in the cloud with a local profile.
Moreover, those interested in the service need not worry about device compatibility. This is because all Windows 10 and Windows 11 devices are compatible. In addition, sessions can also be streamed to hardware running macOS, iPadOS, Linux, and Android.
Undoubtedly, this service will offer plenty of benefits as more and more organizations look to migrate to the cloud. Arguably the biggest benefit will have to do with facilitating remote work. This will enable businesses to be more flexible with their workforce.
Therefore, hybrid workers will also get a platform that makes it easier for them to complete their various projects. They can do so when working from home or at the office. And with the heavy computing work being carried out on the cloud, enterprises no longer need to constantly refresh employees’ hardware. This creates a huge cost savings.
The Citrix experience is not new
As already mentioned, Microsoft and Citrix have a history of working together. So this new development shouldn’t be all too surprising. In fact, all you have to do is look at Microsoft’s Azure Virtual Desktop where Citrix HDX currently exists.
Users have been promised advanced security features. They’ve also been assured that only authenticated users can access data and apps on AVD virtual machines and Azure resources. Combining Citrix Analytics with your end-to-end analytics means that you will get a much better analytics process. And it’s guaranteed to improve overall performance.
Also, you can look forward to having virtual apps and desktops embedded within a complete digital workspace platform. With this, users get a feature that organizes, guides and automates work, with options for additional features. The solutions that Microsoft and Citrix have partnered up on have yielded results such as the following:
Citrix on Azure
In this instance, we see the possibility of greatly reducing overall IT costs while simultaneously increasing efficiency with Citrix DaaS solutions on Azure. Not only that, but your organization can also benefit from increasing the efficiency of your data center by leveraging Citrix ADC for Azure-hosted applications.
To top it off, IT will be glad to note that by using Citrix SD WAN and Azure Virtual WAN Service, you can vastly simplify and optimize branch office network deployment for your organization.
Citrix on Microsoft 365
For those with experience here, note how using Citrix DaaS solutions for Windows 10 and Azure Virtual Desktop can be instrumental in cutting costs, as well as reducing complexities.
Moreover, Citrix solutions for Office 365 are perfect for helping your organization. It can both secure and enhance productivity as well as optimize the user experience. Lastly, you can also leverage Citrix Endpoint Management Apps and EMS. This allows you to see your organization expand enterprise mobility and embrace digital workspaces.
So, from just the few features that I have gone over here, the benefits are clear. Windows 365 users have plenty to get exciting about and look forward to in the coming weeks.
Examining Citrix HDX technology
When assessing this new partnership, it’s important to understand what exactly HDX is and what it has to offer. According to Citric, HDX “is a suite of proprietary technologies that delivers a high-definition experience to users of virtual desktops and virtual applications.”
HDX offers users high-quality service and reliability. It aims to counter the network challenges that we face. It addresses the challenge virtual app and desktop traffic competing with everything else on a network.
Through a combination of Independent Computing Architecture (ICA) traffic prioritization, branch office caching, and ICA protocol optimizations, HDX can give you reliable, high-quality service.
Thus users can expect an enhanced experience when using virtual apps and desktops across public clouds and on-prem platforms. And this even applies when using difficult networks. HDX also gives you remoting technologies that can offer flawless graphics and video with smooth motion and clear audio.
Not only that, but support is available as well for various devices and peripherals. Furthermore, users can benefit from a great experience using platforms like Microsoft Teams. It’s here were you’ll find improved security and management.
Is Citrix already accessible?
According to the statement that Microsoft has given, this new integrated solution is something that is still in development. The statement only confirms that Citrix HDX technology will be coming to Windows 365 later this year.
IT admins can look forward to a far more streamlined user licensing process. Users will also benefit from being able to seamlessly switch to Citrix clients through Microsoft Endpoint Manager and windows 365.com.
Citrix VP of Product Management Calvin Hsu had this to say:
“Citrix and Microsoft are committed to delivering industry-leading solutions to enable secure, remote work. This joint engineering effort brings unique Citrix high-definition technologies to end-users and sophisticated management controls to IT, extending the value of Cloud PCs.”
What Citrix brings to Microsoft clients
One of the principal reasons that companies come together is to combine their strengths. Together they can offer their clients better service. Carisa Stringer, Citrix Vice President of Product Marketing, put it clearly when she said:
“Work today is all about flexibility and choice. Together, Citrix and Microsoft can provide a new generation of Citrix and Windows 365 users with easy access to the apps and data they need to work when, where, and how they choose, leveraging familiar Citrix interfaces and client capabilities.”
Given that Citrix is on the list of Windows 365 Approved Partners, expect this partnership to yield improved solutions for clients. Users of the Cloud PC can be excited about the possibilities that may come about from this partnership.
When you combine Citrix’s unquestionable capacity for delivering great virtualization technologies with Windows 365’s features that enable clients to stream content, apps, and settings from the Microsoft cloud to any device, then there are plenty of advantages to be had. These will include:
Giving users the ability to quickly and easily switch to Citrix clients through windows365.microsoft.com.
The optimization of voice and video performance for multimedia applications.
Enabling users to take advantage of a high-definition, interactive experience across a large variety of endpoint devices and peripherals.
The application of granular policy controls to enhance security and protect corporate data.
Can also seamlessly integrate with third-party identity solutions.
Windows 365 is a game changer
In a world that is realizing the importance of cloud-based solutions, Windows 365 has placed itself as a great option. It will simplify the virtualization experience for users. It’s so simple that Microsoft suggests businesses won’t even need expert IT teams to set up and run the Windows 365 environment.
By offering clients a Cloud PC, you can access anywhere and on any device. Microsoft is offering organizations an incredible service that facilitates remote access. And regardless of the size of your organization, there are bound to be options tosuit your needs.
Windows 365 allows you to configure the size, CPU, and RAM of Cloud PCs. This provides you with great scalability and flexibility. This simply means that you can expand or reduce your processing and storage capacity depending on your requirements.
The Cloud PC is also going to help your organization’s hybrid workforce to operate seamlessly. Users can access their Cloud PCs and do their work without disruption whether on-premises or from home.
Since the PC is hosted on the Microsoft server, you don’t lose any progress and you can pick up right where you left off. Furthermore, you’ll be glad to know that the Cloud PC easily integrates with other Microsoft tools and applications making the user experience even better.
This helps to eliminate the problem that Microsoft users often face when trying to use their preferred tools and applications across various devices and operating systems. And when you consider the high levels of security and zero-trust architecture that Microsoft has put in place, using this ground-breaking service should be an incredible and secure experience.
Bringing futuristic solutions to clients
As employees continuously adopt new technologies in their work environments, it is the goal of Microsoft and Citrix to provide you with an optimized user experience as well as easy access to all the apps and insights you need.
The solutions offered intend to facilitate organizations’ migration to the cloud as well as speed up the adoption of digital workspaces and virtual desktops. And you can look at the partnership that these two enterprises have already built around Microsoft Teams as a great example of what organizations stand to gain.
By delivering this within the Citrix Workspace experience, users can benefit from higher levels of performance leading to increased productivity.
Ultimately, integrating Citrix HDX with Windows 365 improves the overall process of how users can leverage cloud-based solutions. The agility that organizations will get in combination with highly secure networks and communications are just why partnerships like this are essential.
Wrap Up
Although we are yet to receive any comprehensive information on this new development, we can look at existing areas of partnership to see what is potentially in store. As we have already seen, these two enterprises have worked together for decades and have given clients great solutions that have enhanced the working environment.
The last few years have proven that the ability to operate without depending uniquely on on-prem solutions can be the difference between maintaining productivity levels during troubling times and operations shutting down.
And with Windows 365 offering enterprises a service that is simplifying the way that they can migrate to and utilize the cloud, the partnership with Citrix HDX will make that service even better.
There is no denying how cloud-based solutions have evolved over the decades to become an integral part of most organizations’ operations. Businesses have grown to depend on these services to improve the ease of doing business as well as bolster their cyber security. With Windows 365, Microsoft enables businesses to operate more effectively as well as offer their workforce greater flexibility.
The arrival of Windows 365 coincides with an increasing need in the workplace to offer employees more agility. Organizations can take advantage of virtualization technology to increase their talent pool by hiring the best people from anywhere in the world.
By using services like Windows 365, these individuals can easily communicate and collaborate with team members from across the globe. Given how much there is to gain from Windows 365, I will today be going through everything you may need to know about this platform.
Breaking new ground with Windows 365
In July of 2021, Microsoft announced a brand new service that would enable users to access Cloud PCs from anywhere. Although similar features have been available through virtualization and remote access software, Windows 365 has now become the first official service from Microsoft.
As businesses increasingly embrace the idea of a hybrid work environment, Windows 365 is aiming to be at the forefront of the services that potential clients will be looking into. By streaming Windows 10 or Windows 11 onto almost any device, Microsoft will offer users the ability to take their desktops anywhere.
And Microsoft has assured clients that Cloud PCs will be highly secure thus users will be able to work remotely with greater peace of mind.
Accessing your desktop on the cloud will also be relatively easy because all you need is a modern browser or Microsoft’s Remote Desktop app. So as long as your internet connection is good enough to stream videos then you’ll be able to access your Cloud PC on most devices.
Users will get instant access to their Cloud PCs and can stream Windows sessions with all of their same apps, tools, data, and settings across Macs, iPads, Linux machines, and Android devices.
And according to Wangui McKelvey, a general manager for Microsoft 365, “You can pick up right where you left off, because the state of your Cloud PC remains the same, even when you switch devices.”
Windows 365’s solid foundation
Ideally, any service that you want to invest in needs to have a proven track record. However, given that Windows 365 is still less than a year old there’s not much of a track record to go over.
This is why it’s important to understand the Windows 365 foundation. Because the company that has given us Azure Virtual Desktop (AVD) is the same that is responsible for the Windows 365 Cloud PC.
And if there’s anything that AVD has shown us it is that Microsoft has a good handle on cloud computing services. This is vital for you when considering Windows 365 because Microsoft has built it on its Azure infrastructure.
So you can rest assured that if you go with Windows 365, you’ll be investing in a service founded on a tried and tested platform. Therefore, we can take a look at AVD’s track record and some of what it has been able to offer clients.
Proven cost effectiveness
Azure Virtual Desktop has proven to be a cost-effective alternative to scaling up a traditional virtual desktop environment in your own data center. The reduction in expenses is something that could very well help you to have a better ROI.
AVD has also proven to be invaluable to companies because of how it lets organizations control apps and data while allowing their employees to access those resources on their own devices.
This means that you can offer your workers greater flexibility in how they work while still retaining overall control and keeping security standards high. Although you could get some of these benefits from a traditional VDI environment, the service that you get from Microsoft comes at a better price point with better security.
One of the greatest benefits that you will gain from investing in Windows 365 is that it will allow you to experience Windows 10 or Windows 11 at its very best. That’s in addition to having the full power of Microsoft 365 in your hands. AVD has built a reputation for offering clients a smooth experience when using these Microsoft products. And with Windows 365 being based on AVD, you can expect the experience to be even better.
Selecting an option
Microsoft wants to avail its Windows 365 services to as many organizations as possible. Obviously, that is not going to be a simple task considering the vast differences and needs between smaller companies and large enterprises.
However, Microsoft is determined to cater to the needs of the businesses that require this virtualization service. To that end, Microsoft offers us two different editions – Windows 365 Business and Windows 365 Enterprise.
The former is ideal for smaller organizations while the Enterprise edition aims at larger companies. And the great thing about these options is that they share a lot of the same range of features.
Windows 365 Business
This edition of Windows 365 is going to be targeting smaller businesses that require no more than 300 Cloud PCs. The service allows these companies to get a simple way to purchase, deploy, and manage Cloud PCs.
So if you do sign up for Windows 365 Business, you can easily provide Cloud PCs to any of your users that need them. Doing so allows them to stream their apps, data, content, settings, and storage from the Microsoft cloud.
Windows 365 subscriptions
Purchasing Windows 365 subscriptions can occur through the Windows 365 product site or via the Microsoft 365 admin center. And once you have purchased your subscription, you can assign licenses to users in your organization using the Microsoft 365 admin center. As far as sizing options go, there are fixed-price licenses for the different Cloud PC sizes. During the assigning of licenses to users, you need to choose a size option. The options come with different numbers of CPUs, RAM, and storage to cater to the different work needs. The table below details this information:
* Microsoft is retiring the first option (1vCPU) so clients are encouraged to select the 2vCPU option as the minimum configuration going forward.
The Windows 365 Business edition doesn’t have any licensing pre-requirements to purchase and deploy. Also, Microsoft has simplified the provisioning process which will use the default configurations.
After Cloud PC licenses are assigned, provisioning of those Cloud PCs occurs automatically using a standard image. When it comes to Windows updates, the default Windows Update for Business settings configures for users.
And if you have an Intune license, you can edit these settings. Moreover, device management is only going to be limited to the assigning and unassigning of licenses in the Microsoft Admin Center. Although, those that have Intune licenses may get some device management via Microsoft Endpoint Manager.
Users will be able to access their Cloud PCs from windows 365.microsoft.com or alternatively, they can use the Microsoft Remote Desktop app. During usage, users can restart, reset, rename, and troubleshoot their Cloud PCs.
Windows 365 Enterprise
The second option that Microsoft gives clients is for larger organizations that have significantly greater computing needs. Unlike with the Business edition, in this case, users will require licensing for Windows 10 or 11 Enterprise, Microsoft Endpoint Manager, Azure AD P1. The networking situation will see the networking go through a client’s Azure VNet since it’s not part of the license.
As the provisioning process goes on, each business can customize and configure the process to meet their specific needs. It’s the role of your admins to choose the network, configure user permissions, and then assign the policy to an Azure AD group.
With that done you can then provision the Cloud PCs using either standard gallery images or custom images. Microsoft Endpoint Manager can be ideal for managing Windows updates as well as for troubleshooting purposes.
Users can access their Cloud PCs in the same way as Enterprise clients from the Windows 365 website or via the Microsoft Remote Desktop app. Furthermore, users can restart, rename, and troubleshoot their Cloud PCs. And they’ll be assigned a standard user role by default.
However, the admin can change that in the Microsoft Endpoint Manager admin center. Windows 365 Enterprise offers high-end security measures through the use of features such as Conditional Access and integration with Defender for Endpoint.
In addition, for clients with E5 licensing, their Cloud PCs will respond to Defender for Endpoint policies and appear in MDE dashboards.
Cost of service
Regardless of how good a product may be, choosing whether or not to subscribe may ultimately come down to cost. As we’ve already discussed above, Microsoft offers two editions of Windows 365 and both of them have a range of configurations that clients can pick from. This should help all businesses that want Cloud PCs to find something that can fit within their budget.
So small businesses with less than 300 users and massive organizations with countless users can all potentially find a subscription that suits them. The pricing model has fees starting from $20 per user per month for the lowest-end SKU, up to $162 per user per month for the most expensive one. In addition, unlike with the consumption-based pricing model that you get with Azure Virtual Desktop, Windows 365 gives you fixed monthly subscriptions. And if you need to scale up, you have the option of getting a different subscription, as well.
Clients with the Windows 365 Business subscription can get a single virtual core, 2GB of RAM, and 64GB of storage for the starting price of $20.
However, this fee is only available for clients that have Windows Hybrid Benefit. The latter is Microsoft’s Bring-Your-Own license model. It is ideal in helping clients apply existing (or new) licenses toward the cost of a product. If not, then that cost goes up to $24.
But, if your organization requires a lot more, you can pay $158 for eight virtual cores, 32GB of RAM, and 512GB of storage. The same situation regarding Windows Hybrid Benefit applies here and so without it, the fee goes up to $162.
Pricing models
The pricing model is pretty much consistent. And the range of prices remains the same for Windows 365 Enterprise clients. Those that aren’t looking for a lot of computing resources can get a single virtual core with 2GB of RAM and 64GB of storage for the same $20.
However, if your computing needs are a lot greater then you can get the option that offers eight virtual cores, 32GB of RAM, and 512GB of storage for $158 per user per month.
Cloud PC Provisioning
The provisioning process in Windows 365 is an automated one that is going to:
create a Cloud PC virtual machine.
set it up for the end-user.
perform any other necessary tasks to ready the Cloud PC for use.
send access information to the user.
Life is easier for admins as they only need to furnish a few configuration details to get the provisioning process going. Once done, Cloud PCs will be automatically provisioned for all users who have a Windows 365 license and matching configuration details.
Because this process is a one-time per user and per license process, a user and license pair can only have a single Cloud PC provisioned for them. The complete process is going to follow the steps below:
Starts with the creation of a provisioning policy to manage access to the Cloud PCs. Provisioning policies are key to the entire process as they are responsible for building, configuring, and availing Cloud PCs to end-users. Each policy will require you to provide details regarding the on-premises network connection, the image used to create each Cloud PC, and an Azure AD user group.
Assignment of a Windows 365 license to users in the Azure AD user group will begin the provisioning process. And the provisioning of the Cloud PC will be carried out automatically by Windows 365. After provisioning, it will then send the necessary access information to the user. The automation will proceed in 3 phases that will be invisible to the administrator.
The last part of the process involves the end-user receiving the necessary access information that will allow them to sign in to the Windows Cloud PC from anywhere.
Windows 365 Architecture
Windows 365 architecture involves a host of solutions and flexibility.
Virtual network connectivity
All Cloud PCs are going to have a virtual network interface card (NIC) in Microsoft Azure. There are two available NIC management options:
Bringing an Azure subscription or managing the NIC won’t be necessary for those using Azure AD Join and a Microsoft-hosted network.
NICs are created by Windows 365 in your Azure subscription in instances where you bring your own network and use an OPNC.
The configuration of your OPNC will determine how the NICs are attached to an Azure Virtual Network. There are many regions in which Windows 365 is supported and to control which region is used you can:
Choose the Microsoft-hosted network as well as an Azure region.
Choose an Azure virtual network from your Azure subscription during the creation of the OPNC.
The region selected is what determines where the Cloud PC will be created and hosted. However, with your own virtual network access can be extended between your current Azure regions to other Azure regions supported by Windows 365.
Microsoft Endpoint Manager integration
Management of all Cloud PCs facilitates with MEM. The latter, along with associated Windows components, have various network endpoints. These must be allowed through the Virtual Network. If you don’t use MEM to manage Apple and Android devices, then you can ignore the endpoints.
The system requires you to only grant access to a subset of endpoints based on your MEM tenant location. Microsoft recommends allowing access to an entire region and not just a specific endpoint to allow for the possible relocation of tenants within a region.
Identity services
Windows 365 relies on both Azure AD and on-premises AD DS. With Azure AD you get:
User authentication for Windows 365.
Device identity services for MEM via Hybrid Azure AD Join or Azure AD Join.
For the configuration of Cloud PCs to use Hybrid Azure AD Join, AD DS offers:
On-premises domain join for Cloud PCs.
User authentication for RDP connections.
And for the configuration of Cloud PCs to use Azure AD Join, Azure AD gives you:
The domain join mechanism for the Cloud PCs.
User authentication for RDP connections.
Azure AD
User authentication and authorization for the Windows 365 web portal and Remote Desktop client apps is provided by Azure AD. Azure AD Conditional Access can include:
multi-factor authentication
sign-in risk management
restrictions based on location
device compliance controls
session limits
Active Directory Domain Services
Microsoft gives you the option of having your Cloud PCs either Hybrid Azure AD Joined or Azure AD Joined. Your Cloud PCs will require domain joining to an AD DS domain if you want to use Hybrid Azure AD Join. And that domain should synchronize with Azure AD. The domain’s domain controllers should be hosted in Azure or on-premises.
If it’s the latter, connectivity should be made from Azure to the on-prem environment. And the type can be either Azure Express Route or site-to-site VPN. The connectivity should be set up to enable communication from the Cloud PCs to the domain controllers, needed by AD.
“Hosted on behalf of” architecture
This type of architecture enables Microsoft services to attach hosted Azure services to a customer subscription. Using this type of connectivity model allows a Microsoft service to provide options other than the usual consumption-based services. These include software-as-a-service and user-licensed services.
All Cloud PC connectivity comes from the virtual NIC. Because of “hosted on behalf of” architecture, you have Cloud PCs that exist in the subscription owned by Microsoft. This basically means the costs for running and managing the infrastructure are borne by Microsoft.
Azure Virtual Desktop connectivity
AVD is responsible for the provision of Cloud PC connectivity. Thus, there aren’t going to be any inbound connections directly from the internet to the Cloud PC. Rather, the connections will establish from:
The Cloud PC to the AVD endpoints.
The Remote Desktop clients to AVD endpoints.
Microsoft recommends the use of Service Tags for AVD to identify these endpoints. By doing so you should be able to ease the configuration of network security controls. It’s also worth noting that configuring your Cloud PCs to make these connections is not a pre-requisite.
The integration of AVD connectivity components into gallery or custom images is seamless with Windows 365. Furthermore, third-party connection brokers aren’t going to be supported on Windows 365 Cloud PCs.
How businesses will benefit
Having a great-sounding service availed to you is one thing, but after looking into what Windows 365 is, you still need to know how exactly this product will help your business. After all, there are plenty of great services out there that just aren’t a good fit for your business. So what are the benefits that Windows brings to an organization?
Remote access with Windows 365
Most people across the globe have probably familiarized themselves with remote work over the last couple of years. Although plenty of businesses saw the need for remote access during the pandemic, the need for it has grown beyond the pandemic scenario.
One of the things that some people may be looking at when considering career opportunities is the availability of remote access. This may just prove to be key in attracting as well as retaining the best people you can find for your organization.
The Windows 365 Cloud PC gives users the ability to carry their desktops with them wherever they may be. Therefore, access to the cloud is going to be simple and hassle-free because users won’t need to be at a workstation in the office to access corporate resources.
Lower hardware costs
If you tell any business that you can potentially help to lower operating costs then most would probably at least want to give you a few moments of their time. And this is what Windows 365 aims to achieve with the Cloud PC. The cost of purchasing high-end computers for the office that can meet the needs of the various users is no small one.
But, when your PC is running in the cloud then the actual device that you need is less important. Microsoft allows users to access their Cloud PCs from most devices including those running macOS, iOS, Android, and Linux.
This means that users don’t necessarily need to invest in new devices. Not only that, but in the long run, you may not need to refresh your hardware as often thus lowering your expenses even further.
Secure hybrid work
As attractive as the possibility of working remotely may be, without top-notch security the option is not viable. Microsoft enhanced security measures by implementing Zero Trust principles. These enable each request to be fully authenticated, authorized, and encrypted before granting access.
Add to that the fact, data is not stored on the physical devices. They’re instead on the cloud and you have even more protection around your data. These measures should help to assuage concerns about the security of remote work as well as the risk of security breaches.
Not to forget as well that Windows 365 clients can benefit from the already existing solutions that are part of Microsoft Endpoint Manager. Microsoft has also made specific security recommendations that I will be addressing below.
Simple to use
Another feature that Microsoft puts forward as a highly attractive one for Windows 365 clients is how easy the service will be to use.
In fact, Microsoft has gone so far as to say that organizations won’t need to hire specialist IT professionals to set up and manage the Cloud PCs. Features such as easy management and instant start-up enable users to have the ability to work traditionally without any prior virtual work experience. This is something that may also help you to lower overall operating costs.
Furthermore, your IT staff can manage, deploy, and configure the PC environment just as they have done all along.
Windows 365 security measures
Continuing on from what I touched on above, there are other security features that are important to know. Microsoft gives Windows 365 certain capabilities straight out of the box. These capabilities will enhance your security. Just as you have with your physical computers, Windows 365 Cloud PCs will come with Microsoft Defender. This helps to ensure that your device is secure from the first-run experience.
Also, the provisioning of the Cloud PCs uses a gallery image to facilitate. To ensure improved security, the image will have the latest updates for Windows 10 through Windows Update for Business. There are some differences worth noting, regarding the security measures for Windows 365 Business and those for Windows 365 Enterprise.
Windows 365 Business
Since Windows 365 Business is a service aimed at smaller organizations, particularly those that may not have IT staff, users on this edition receive local admin rights to their Cloud PCs. So this situation basically replicates what happens with a lot of small businesses whereby users purchase computers and retain local admin rights.
For IT departments that want to use Windows 365 Business for particular cases, they need to follow standard security practices if they intend to make those users standard users on their devices. To use MEM for this approach, you’ll need to follow the guidelines below:
The process starts with device configuration to enroll the devices in MEM
using automatic enrollment.
The next step involves the management of the Local Administrators group.
This works using Azure AD or MEM.
In addition, it would be a good idea to have Microsoft Defender Attack
Surface Reduction (ASR) rules enabled. This would be very useful because
these rules are in-depth defense mitigations for specific security concerns,
such as blocking credential stealing from the Windows local security
authority subsystem.
Windows 365 Enterprise
When it comes to Windows 365 Enterprise you’ll start to see some significant differences. This edition is perfect for organizations that have dedicated IT teams.
This makes things slightly easier for IT, as you have a system molded on the management and security that Microsoft Endpoint Manager provides. All Cloud PCs in Windows 365 Enterprise configure users as standard users by default.
However, admins still have the ability to make exceptions on a per-user basis. Furthermore, all Cloud PCs will enroll in MEM with reporting of Microsoft Defender Antivirus alerts.
You’ll also get the ability to onboard into the full Microsoft Defender for Endpoint capabilities. Microsoft makes the following security recommendations for users of Windows 365 Enterprise:
Users should stick to standard Windows 10 security practices. This also means restricting access to your Cloud PC using local administrator privileges.
You need to deploy Windows 365 security baselines to your Cloud PC from MEM. Furthermore, you should utilize Microsoft Defender to protect your endpoints, especially all Cloud PCs.
Taking advantage of Azure AD conditional access is a must. With features such as MFA and user/sign-in risk mitigation, you can significantly reduce the risk of unauthorized access to your Cloud PC.
Communication and collaboration
Windows 365 not only provides a platform that facilitates remote work for your organization but also ensures that team members can work together regardless of location. Clients can take full advantage of the power of Microsoft Teams to ensure that communication in your organization happens smoothly.
By using Teams, your organization can set up your environment in a way that best suits you. And when you are ready to use Microsoft Teams, the users can download the Teams client from https://teams.microsoft.com/downloads. And just like Windows 365 itself, you can install the Teams client on various devices such as Windows, Mac, or Linux PCs as well as on your Android or iOS devices. However, you’ll need to ensure that all these users have the necessary Teams license.
Some of the more important elements in Teams include chat, teams, and channels. With chat, you can have one or more users talking, sharing files, or meeting privately. Teams will enable collaboration on any project at any time. And it can be visible to the entire organization or just the relevant team members. Then, channels can help segment topics, projects, or anything else within teams in a way that suits the way you would like to work.
For businesses
Meetings and conferences are two major things that businesses need to conduct to keep things moving smoothly. By using a Teams or Skype for Business client, individuals can participate in meetings to which they’ve been invited. Even if you happen to have a bad internet connection you can still participate in meetings via audio conferencing. All you need is your regular phone, the conference phone number, and the meeting ID. Although meetings are enabled by default, you can still retain control of the meeting experience.
Smaller businesses with fewer than 300 users can utilize Microsoft 365 Teams Phone with Calling Plan to establish an office phone system. They can do so without having a complex, costly on-premises phone system. The system will include a phone system menu, caller ID, voice mail, and other great features. So all of these features are going to enable the Windows 365 Cloud PC experience to basically simulate the office experience. Those working remotely won’t miss out on collaborating with their colleagues, sharing ideas, and crucially maintaining social connections with others. Without this, working remotely could quickly become a difficult, isolated affair.
Easy administration management
Going through the information that we have on Windows 365, it becomes abundantly clear that there are countless benefits for end-users. But, your IT admins will also want to know if they’ll also see changes when compared to other services. And the reality is, the ease of use principle that Microsoft applies to Windows 365 extends to your IT team as well. From the management perspective, there is plenty to be excited about starting with the fact that there is no need to have headaches about the infrastructure you need to set up to get the Cloud PC experience. Microsoft handles that side of things.
Also, admins won’t need to get certified in anything else or learn new management tools. This is because Windows 365 is designed for all organizations even those without expert IT pros on staff to be able to run it without difficulty. Furthermore, you’ll be happy to know that the way you currently manage your physical devices with Microsoft Endpoint Manager will for the most part be similar to the management of Cloud PCs. A good example of this is that if you navigate to the All Devices list in Microsoft Endpoint Manager, you’ll see both your physical and Cloud PCs listed side by side.
Admin ease
Admins will also find that the deployment process is not complicated at all. For users to get a Cloud PC assigned to them, there are pretty much just two requirements that need to be met. They need to have the necessary license in addition to being part of an Azure AD Group that’s assigned to a provisioning policy. The process starts in the Microsoft Admin Center where you assign licenses similarly to how you would for other Microsoft 365 services. You can have a licensing admin take care of this particular task. After that, you can head over to Active Users and perform the assignment.
With that done, you can now give users Cloud PCs and set them up with Microsoft 365 as well. As soon as a user is added to a group, the Cloud PC provisioning process will be launched and it won’t be long before the Cloud PC is ready for use. And with Windows 365 using a fixed price per user per month model, there’s no extra workload involving tracking, utilization, or keeping idle resources running.
Wrap Up
Windows 365 is a service that has countless different applications that can help businesses, both large and small, to completely change their IT environment. Taking advantage of the Cloud PC can mean potential changes in policy about who and how your organization hires. The ability to give employees remote access without compromising collaboration gives you a far deeper pool of talent to choose from when looking to hire people. The cost of the service is something that can also help your business by reducing expenditure on hardware. Not having to provide employees with brand new high-end computers and reducing hardware refresh rates can go a long way in improving your bottom line. In addition, when you consider how Microsoft has designed Windows 365 to be easy to use then you begin to see a platform that can change the virtualization sector. Undoubtedly, there’s still a lot more to come as the service improves but for now, Windows 365 has certainly offered a lot to be excited about.
The idea of hybrid work is something that has captivated the minds of people for years. And it’s not surprising when you consider the long list of advantages that individuals and businesses alike stand to gain. By using Cloud PCs, businesses can have their employees working from anywhere and using just about any device.
In this guide, I will be focusing on Windows 365 Cloud PC and giving you the step-by-step process for Cloud PC provisioning and deployment.
Introduced by Microsoft last year, Windows 365 gives you Windows running on the cloud. And from the overwhelming response to the service that we witnessed, it’s quite clear that there is a lot of interest in Cloud PC technology.
Recap on Windows 365
Windows 365 is essentially a service that will run your desktop on the cloud. In the words of Windows 365 General Manager Wangui McKelvey, “Windows 365 takes the operating system to the Microsoft Cloud, securely streaming the full Windows experience — including all your apps, data, and settings — to your personal or corporate devices. This approach creates a fully new personal computing category, specifically for the hybrid world: the Cloud PC.”
And as Microsoft has stated, you can stream apps, tools, data, and settings from the cloud across any device. This means that you can use Apple devices
(Mac, iPads, etc), Android devices, and Linux PCs among others to access your desktop on the cloud. This gives you the convenience of being able to pick up your work right where you left off because the Windows experience does not differ. Regardless of where you may be or the device that you are using.
Planning your deployment with Cloud PC
Deploying Windows 365 Cloud PC is a significant undertaking for any organization. As such, it needs meticulous planning to carry out.
There are several objectives that will need to be considered such as determining what end users will need to access on their Cloud PC. For instance, if your end users are going to use Windows 365 to access specialized software, then you’ll need to look into installing all lines of business apps.
Another objective would be considering the geographical locations of your end-users. Because Windows 365 can provide Cloud PCs in multiple Azure locations, it makes it possible to provide the Cloud PCs in a location with the lowest latency to your end users’ physical location.
Cloud PC management
The next objective to consider will be the management of Cloud PCs. In this instance, you’ll need to determine who will be managing the Cloud PCs as well as which management groups will have which permissions.
With the above done, you now need to look at how end users will connect to a Cloud PC. This means you need to know whether they’ll be using a browser or a Remote Desktop Client. And then, as far as licensing goes, you need to assess all use cases and evaluate workloads to determine the specific licenses that will be needed.
Cloud PC next steps
For the next step, you need to do a complete review of your endpoint management and infrastructure. This will enable you to determine whether you are going to keep your existing management plan for devices or if you need to come up with something different for the Cloud PC. So you need to look at Cloud PC management, application of policies (GPO or Intune), and the updating policy for all devices.
With all this considered, it becomes time to plan how and when users will receive their Cloud PCs. Here you can start by creating several different rollout phases based on your environment. Pilot and/or test groups are a great way to start with early stages involving willing participants who will provide feedback.
At the end of each phase, you can use the feedback provided to determine how to map the way forward for the rest of the organization. Also, it’s important to have clearly defined goals and success metrics if you want to stay on top of things and keep your rollout on track.
In the midst of all this planning, however, it’s key to have clear communication with all users. People need to understand what exactly the goals are and why the organization has chosen the Windows 365 Cloud PC.
Additional considerations with Cloud PC
Having a smooth rollout requires people to be fully informed of all the changes and potential disruptions that they will need to prepare for. You need to determine what information users need and this includes information about the Cloud PC and why the organization wants it.
During the pilot and subsequent onboarding phases, you should continue to provide additional information so that users understand the process and its importance. Just as important as the information is how you’ll communicate with users. You could have meetings or leverage platforms like Microsoft Teams or email.
Another key area to consider during the planning phase is your IT support and help desk staff. These individuals play a significant role in ensuring a smooth adoption of Cloud PC. They can help educate your end-users and show how to connect to and use the Cloud PC.
Because of this, IT support and help desk staff need adequate training to be able to provide the required support to end-users and resolve any issues that may arise. And they also need to know how and at which level of end-users they will be supporting. This training should touch on all the various scenarios that Windows 365 will be used for and should also consider training on all supported Windows 365 platforms.
Overview of provisioning
When we talk of provisioning, we are referring to the process that is going to create a Cloud PC virtual machine and then set it up for the user. It’s also responsible for the completion of other tasks that prepare it for use and the sending of access information to the user. The process starts with admins providing configuration details to set up the process.
After which, users with a Windows 365 license and matching the configuration details will automatically have a Cloud PC provisioned for them. Because provisioning works on a one-time per user and per-license basis, each user and license pair can only have one Cloud PC provisioned for them. The provisioning process is going to proceed as follows:
Starts with the creation of a provisioning policy to manage access to the Cloud PCs. Provisioning policies are key to the entire process as they are responsible for building, configuring, and availing Cloud PCs to end-users. Each policy will require you to provide details regarding the on-premises network connection, the image used to create each Cloud PC, and an Azure AD user group.
Assignment of a Windows 365 license to users in the Azure AD user will begin the provisioning process. And the provisioning of the Cloud PC will be carried out automatically by Windows 365 after which it will then send the necessary access information to the user. The automation is going to proceed in 3 phases that will be invisible to the administrator.
The last part of the process involves the end-user receiving the necessary access information that will allow them to sign in to the Windows Cloud PC from anywhere.
Provisioning policy objects
Provisioning policies are essential objects in the MEM admin console that carry the required rules and settings that enable Windows 365 to set up and configure Cloud PCs for your users. Admins will have the responsibility of providing the required information when creating provisioning policies. This includes:
On-premises network connection – the OPNC provides the platform that enables the policy to connect to your on-premises resources. It’s responsible for identifying:
The relevant Azure subscription for your Cloud PC.
Which domain and Organizational Unit to join.
The AD credentials that should be used.
Image – all Cloud PCs provisioned with a particular policy will carry a Windows image that is used as the reference image. This image can either be one that you select from the gallery or a custom image that you provide yourself.
Assignment – the role of the assignment is the identification of one or more Azure AD user groups. All licensed users in the policy’s Azure AD users group will then have Windows 365 automatically provision Cloud PCs for them. Also, users who may be added at a later date will get Cloud PCs as well.
The above information is absolutely integral to the provisioning process because without it the Cloud PCs cannot be provisioned. Once you’ve seen to the creation of the provisioning policies, Windows 365 takes over the provisioning process thus automatically providing users with Cloud PCs.
Modifying provisioning policies
Once provisioning of the Cloud PC is complete, there will be no possibility of a re-occur unless you perform a reprovision. Any alterations to the provisioning policy won’t trigger a reprovision and these alterations also won’t be applied to already provisioned Cloud PCs.
So any modifications that you make to a provisioning policy will only apply to subsequently provision Cloud PCs or those that are reprovisioned. Furthermore, changing the name of the provisioning policy will not update the Cloud PC name under All Cloud PCs. And it’s also not going to update the enrollmentProfileName in Azure AD
Deleting a provisioning policy
Only provisional policies that are not assigned to any Azure AD groups can be deleted. Removing the targeting of a provisioning policy that was used for successful Cloud PC provisioning will put the Cloud PCs into a grace period. And those Cloud PCs will face automatic deletion once this grace period has expired.
Provisioning policy conflict resolution
Since the assignment of provisioning policies is made to user groups the risk of overlapping groups/users does exist. In the instance where a user may have more than one provisioning policy assigned, the provisioning process will only consider the first assigned policy and ignore the rest. And in the event of reprovisioning, the policy used will be the one that has been modified most recently (if changes have been made to one of the provisioning policies).
Provisioning retry
If provisioning of a Cloud PC fails, the process automatically retries twice. And if it still fails, the process will stop and the affected Cloud PC is marked as Failed. There’ll also be an error message displayed. You’ll then need to figure out why the provisioning of the Cloud PC has failed. Once you get to the root cause, you can manually restart the provisioning process by clicking Retry.
Reprovisioning
Reprovisioning of Cloud PCs is something that admins can perform remotely. It comes in useful when:
You need to test various Cloud PC configurations.
There are problems with a provisioned Cloud PC.
A user requires a new Cloud PC.
You can also leverage the reprovisioning action for Cloud PCs that are in a Failed provisioning state in the Windows 365 provisioning node. Basically, you can look at reprovisioning like resetting a physical device. Since this action deletes the Cloud PC and creates a new one, all data, apps, etc, will also be deleted. The reprovisioning will use the configurations of the provisioning policy used by that user’s Azure AD group.
Users with multiple Windows 365 licenses
Users with multiple Windows 365 licenses can have more than one Cloud PC. In this scenario, each license can have a Cloud PC with the appropriate specifications provisioned. However, it’s worth noting that you cannot have different provisioning policies for different user licenses. The Cloud PCs for these users will be provisioned using the same provisioning policy.
Clean up with Cloud PC
In the event of a provisioning failure or deletion of a Cloud PC after the grace period, Windows 365 will delete all objects that were created during provisioning. This will be done about 3 hours after the failure and will include Intune objects, Azure AD device objects, and Azure vNics.
Because other objects are relying on the network security groups the latter won’t be deleted. Neither will on-prem Azure AD computer accounts that were joined to the domain during provisioning. This is because Windows 365 does not have the necessary permissions and therefore can only disable the redundant computer objects.
Network requirements
Being a cloud-based service means that you need to have internet access to use Windows 365 services. As such, there are certain networking requirements that will support the necessary connections. These requirements are client-specific because they are based on your workload. Below are some of those requirements:
General network requirements
Azure virtual network – having a virtual network in your Azure subscription is a necessity. And it should be in the same region as where the Windows 365 desktops are created.
You’ll need to define your AD DS DNS servers as the DNS servers for the virtual network so that the virtual network can resolve DNS entries for your AD DS environment.
The Azure vNet needs access to an enterprise domain controller (on-premises or Azure).
There should also be a subnet within the vNet and IP address space must be available.
Your Azure network configuration will need to allow traffic to the following service URLs and ports:
DNS requirements
Organizations’ Cloud PCs should be able to join on-prem Active Directory because this is a Hybrid Azure AD Join requirement. Cloud PCs should be able to resolve DNS records for your on-prem AD environment. So you’re going to need to configure your Azure vNet where the Cloud PCs are provisioned as follows:
1) Verify that your Azure vNet has network connectivity to DNS servers that can resolve your Active Directory domain.
2) Navigate to Azure vNet’s Settings, select DNS Servers, and then choose Custom.
3) Type in the IP address of DNS servers that environment that can resolve your AD DS domain.
Bandwidth
As you know by now, Windows 365 uses Azure network infrastructure. It follows therefore that you’ll need an Azure subscription to select a virtual network while deploying Windows 365 Enterprise. Costs incurred for using a Cloud PC are as follows:
Network traffic into a Cloud PC is free.
Any outbound traffic will incur charges against the Azure subscription for the virtual network.
Office data such as email incurs egress charges if the Cloud PC and a user’s data reside in different regions.
For RDP networking traffic you should always expect egress charges.
Choosing a Cloud PC option
After making the decision to sign up for the Cloud PC, you now need to choose what option is best suitable for your business. Microsoft offers clients two license types to cater to different business needs.
However, for both license types, the price will depend on the size of the Cloud PC. There are some significant differences between the business and enterprise licenses that are worth knowing before deciding. These include:
1) Business is designed for small to medium enterprises with a maximum of 300 users whereas Enterprise is for much larger businesses looking to deploy Cloud PCs throughout their entire organizations and with an unlimited number of users.
2) For Business, the desktop will be attached to a virtual network that Microsoft manages and has the added benefit of clients not being charged for network egress fees. When it comes to Enterprise, the desktops are attached to the customers existing Azure virtual network. And clients will also have to pay standard network egress fees.
3) Enterprise clients will get both standard and custom images but Business clients will get only standard images.
4) Business clients will have to go through a process of manual configuration and app installation. Enterprise clients will get automatic configuration and app installations because of the advantage of full integration with Microsoft Endpoint Manager/Microsoft Intune.
5) For the Enterprise license, users will also need licenses for Windows 10 Enterprise or Windows 11 Enterprise, Microsoft Endpoint Manager, and Azure Active Directory P1. Business clients won’t require any additional licenses.
Other considerations
Having looked at the various differences, it’s clear to see that for smaller businesses looking to buy, deploy, and manage Cloud PCs, the Business license is the way to go. And it has the following options:
Basic – at a cost of $31/month and with support for up to 300 users, this option allows you to run light productivity tools and web browsers. Clients will get 2vCPU, 4GB RAM, and 128 GB Storage.
Standard – this option will cost $41/month and also supports up to 300 users. Clients will get 2vCPU, 8GB, and 128 GB of storage allowing you to run a full range of productivity tools and line-of-business apps.
Premium – the last option costs $66/month and gives you access to 4vCPU, 16 GB of RAM, and 128 GB of storage. With this, you get support for up to 300 users and can run high-performance workloads and heavier data processing.
For larger businesses looking to manage their Cloud PCs with Microsoft Endpoint Manager and take advantage of integrations with other Microsoft services, Windows 365 Enterprise is the choice for you. The options on offer are as follows:
Basic – at a cost of $31/month and with support for unlimited users, this option allows you to run light productivity tools and web browsers. Clients will get 2vCPU, 4GB RAM, and 128 GB Storage.
Standard – this option will cost $41/month and also supports an unlimited number of users. Clients will get 2vCPU, 8GB, and 128 GB of storage allowing you to run a full range of productivity tools and line-of-business apps.
Premium – the last option costs $66/month and gives you access to 4vCPU, 16 GB of RAM, and 128 GB of storage. With this, you get support for an unlimited number of users and can run high-performance workloads and heavier data processing.
Before users can start using their Cloud PCs, you will need to first assign licenses to them. The necessary licenses are available for purchase from the Microsoft 365 store and you can get there by going through the Microsoft 365 Admin Center: https://admin.microsoft365.com.
Once you have purchased all the appropriate licenses, you can begin the task of assigning licenses to all your users. To do this you first need to login to theAzure Active Directory admin center.
And for license assignment to a single user, you use the Microsoft 365 Portal. Once in there go to Users > Active Users and select the user that you want to assign with a license. Then, go to the tab “Licenses and apps” and select your Cloud PC license. Apply the changes while clicking on Save changes below.
Assigning group-based licensing is slightly different. For this, you go to the Azure Portal and then head over to your Azure Active Directory. If you look to your left-hand side you’ll see Licenses. Go there and select All Products.
Next, you select the available Cloud PC license and then click Assign. So to enable group licensing, go to the left-hand side, and select Licensed Groups. Yet again you’ll need to click on Assign and select the group that you want to automatically license for the Windows 365 Cloud PC feature.
Creating an on-premises connection
Another requirement that organizations will have is the need to have an on-premises connection. An on-premises network connection (OPNC) is an object in the Microsoft Endpoint Manager admin center that provides Cloud PC provisioning profiles with the required information to connect to on-premises resources.
Before getting started with Cloud PC, you’ll need the following:
AD DNS domain name
Organizational unit
Configure Azure AD Connect
AD username UPN
AD join password
So first you need to find your domain name which is simple enough with access to a domain controller. Once you know your domain name then you can proceed to validate the User Principal Name Suffix (UPN Suffix). Checking that your UPN Suffix is routable is extremely important to avoid problems later on.
With that done, you need to create an Organizational Unit that will allow you to properly manage your CloudPCs and dedicated GPOs. To perform this task, go to AD Users and Computers mmc and then head over to where you want to set your new Organizational Unit. Next, you can then either right-click an existing Organizational Unit or click where you want to create a new one.
Next, you need to ensure that Azure AD Connect is properly configured to get users synchronized with Azure AD. This you will do by opening Azure AD Connect and then selecting Configure device options.
Finally, you need to fill in the AD username UPN and the AD domain password. Then click Next. On the page, that then appears click Review+create. It should take no more than a few minutes to create the on-premises network connection. And if you have configured everything properly, you’ll see a “checks successful” status.
Creating a provisioning policy
The next step in this process requires you to create a Provisioning Policy so that you can provision the Cloud PC with an image of choice and is based on Azure AD security groups. Provisioning policies hold key provisioning rules and settings allowing the Windows 365 service to set up and configure the right Cloud PCs for your users. To create a provisioning policy, follow the steps below:
1. Sign in to the MEM admin center and select Devices > Windows 365 (under Provisioning) > Provisioning policies > Create policy.
2. On the General page, enter a Name and Description (optional) for the new policy.
3. For OPNC select the connection to use for this policy > Next.
4. On the image page, you need to select one of the following options for the image type:
Gallery Image: Choose Select > select an image from the gallery > Select. Here you’ll get default images for your use.
Custom image: Choose Select > select an image from the list > Select. This shows you the list of images that you uploaded using the Add device images workflow.55
5. Select Next.
6. On the Assignments page, choose Select groups > choose the groups you want this policy assigned to > Select > Next.
7. On the Review + create page, select Create. It can take up to 60 minutes for the policy creation process to complete, depending on when the Azure AD connect sync last happened.
Provisioning
With the information provided through the on-premises network connections and the creation of provisioning policies, Windows 365 can now provision Cloud PCs for licensed users. Performing the provisioning process will involve Windows 365 automatically completing the following stages:
Core provisioning – this process does all the necessary tasks required to stand up a VM until a user can successfully sign in.
Post-provisioning configuration – modifications can be made to the configuration for the purpose of optimizing the Cloud PC end-user experience.
Assignment – a user is assigned to the Cloud PC and can now sign in.
User connectivity
After everything has been set up, users will then need to know how they can connect to the Cloud PC. We need to clarify what clients can be used as well as what options the end-users will have. Also, we need to know how administrative credentials can be provided to the end-user. Microsoft has provided two ways for users to connect to the Cloud PC:
I. Web browser – the first method that users have for accessing the Cloud PC is via a web browser. All you have to do is simply navigate to windows365.microsoft.com. Once there you can log in with the user credentials that have a desktop provisioned and the portal will show you an overview of the desktops available to you. However, to access the Cloud PC using this website, users devices need to meet the following requirements:
A modern browser like Microsoft Edge, Google Chrome, Safari, or Mozilla Firefox (v55.0 and later).
Various tasks
When using windows365.microsoft.com, end users can carry out various tasks on their Cloud PCs by selecting the gear icon on a Cloud PC card.
Rename: doing this will change the name of the Cloud PC that the user sees on the website. But, performing this action doesn’t change any name in Microsoft Endpoint Manager, Azure Active Directory, on the device, or in the Remote Desktop Apps.
Restart: this will restart the Cloud PC.
Troubleshoot: whenever a user is encountering challenges with connecting to the Cloud PC, this will help you to troubleshoot and try to resolve those challenges. A few checks will be run including verifying that all the files and agents necessary for connectivity have been properly installed. There will also be a check for the availability of Azure resources.
II. Remote desktop – the second method that Microsoft offers clients for connecting to the Cloud PC is by using the Microsoft Remote Desktop app.
This is designed to enable users to access and control a remote PC, including a Cloud PC. So for those who have been using Azure Virtual Desktop, this is an app they will already be familiar with. Setting up the Remote Desktop is a relatively simple process that requires you to follow a few steps:
The next step will require you to enter your Azure Active Directory credentials.
You will then see the Cloud PC appear on a list. Simply double-click it to launch.
Managing Cloud PCs
Next, let’s discuss just how you’ll be managing your Cloud PCs. For the management of your Cloud PCs, you’ll be using Microsoft Intune. The latter is a 100% cloud-based mobile device management and mobile application management platform for your apps and devices. And this also includes your Cloud PCs. Signing in to Intune requires you to navigate to theMicrosoft Endpoint Manager admin center.
Overview page
To start, you’ll want to go over to the landing page for managing your Cloud PCs which is the Overview tab. To access it, you need to sign in to theMicrosoft Endpoint Manager admin center > Devices > Windows 365 (under Provisioning).
This section is going to provide you with some information about how your Cloud PCs are performing. You’re going to see:
Provisioning status: this summarizes your organization’s Cloud PC status.
Connection health: this provides a summary of the health of your organization’s on-premises network connection.
All Cloud PCs page
On this page, you’re going to see a summary and list view with details regarding the status information for each of your organization’s Cloud PCs. The list view automatically refreshes every 5 minutes and by using it you can search filter, and sort. Users with multiple Windows 365 SKUs assigned to them will get multiple Cloud PCs and this means that in the All Cloud PCs list view there’ll be multiple rows for a single user.
Column details
Name – Name of the Cloud PC.
Device name – The Windows computer name.
Image – this is the image that was used during provisioning and so may not reflect the current Cloud PC version.
PC type – the Windows 365 SKU assigned to the user.
Status – this reflects the current provisioning status of the Cloud PC and possibilities include:
Provisioned: shows when provisioning was successful.
Provisioning: the provisioning is still in progress.
Provisioned with warnings: shows when a non-critical step failed in the provisioning process but the user still has access.
Not provisioned: this happens when a user has been assigned a Windows 365 license but doesn’t have a provisioning policy assigned to them.
Deprovisioning: appears when the 7 day grace period has ended and the Cloud PC is undergoing deprovisioning.
Failed: shows when the provisioning process has failed.
In grace period: indicates when a license/assignment change occurs for a user with a current Cloud PC.
Pending: it means that there are currently no available licenses in your tenant to process the provisioning request.
User – indicates the user to whom the Cloud PC is assigned.
Date modified – shows a timestamp reflecting the last status change of the Cloud PC.
Remote management
Like any other managed device, the option exists to remotely manage Cloud PCs using Intune. You’ll find that there are several remote management actions that Cloud PCs will support and they include:
Restart
Sync
Rename
Quick scan
Full scan
Update Windows Defender
Reprovisioning*
Resize*
*Reprovisioning and resizing are both remote actions that are unique to Cloud PC devices.
Conclusion About Cloud PC
Microsoft’s personalized desktop solution brings a lot of advantages to the way enterprises operate. As technology continues to evolve in leaps and bounds, so too are the devices at our disposal. This has brought us to a point where many people in their various organizations are using many different devices to perform work-related tasks.
And businesses realize that bring-your-own-device policies will be integral moving forward. This is why platforms like Windows 365’s Cloud PC are potential game-changers. Giving users access to their desktops from anywhere and using almost any device enables businesses to operate at a completely higher level.
Furthermore, the last couple of years have shown just how important the need is for workers to be able to work from anywhere. This has helped to keep a lot of companies operational. Not only that but leveraging cloud computing helps the organization to lower its overall hardware expenses.
The Cloud PC also allows organizations to stay within their budgets by selecting the options that are best suited to their business. And if the need to scale arises then that can easily be achieved. Windows 365 Cloud PC really does have the potential to do great things for any business. It’s certainly worth a try.
