Microsoft Windows 365 launched – Cloud Desktop Explained

Microsoft’s new offering Windows 365 desktop-as-a-service is more than just a cloud version of Windows. It also allows the business to offer up virtual hardware.

Windows 365 provides a new way to enjoy the Windows Operating system on Cloud. Windows 365 is a cloud-based service that securely streams your whole Windows experience, including all of your applications, data, and settings, to your personal or corporate devices. As a result of this, a new personal computer category, the Cloud PC, has emerged, specifically for hybrid environments. You may use the Cloud PC to empower your employees by delivering a comprehensive, powerful, simple, and secure Windows 10 or Windows 11 experience over the cloud. Microsoft has launched Windows 365, a new desktop-as-a-service offering that allows businesses to stream a Windows desktop to any device, from any location. The virtualization service, which is billed as a new way to enjoy Windows 10 or Windows 11, may offer a slew of new options for organizations in terms of cost, administration, and productivity.

Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella in a statement said, “Just like applications and software were brought to the cloud with SaaS, we are now bringing the Windows OS to the cloud, providing business with greater flexibility and a secure platform to empower their employees to be more connected and productive, regardless of location,”.

Instead of hosting the operating system and programs locally, which consumes both storage and computational resources, Windows 365 allows users to stream their apps, data, and settings to any of their devices, including macOS, Linux, and Android devices.

About Windows 365

Windows 365 is a new service that provides corporate consumers to access Cloud PCs anywhere, in its most basic version. A comparable functionality had previously been offered through virtualization and remote access tools, but this is the first official service from Microsoft. This new Desktop-as-a-service lets your employees access Windows 10 and Windows 11 operating system on the cloud via a web browser. The Windows 365 Cloud PC allow businesses to facilitate hybrid and remote work with an experience that is not bounded by the kind of device someone is using.

There is no requirement to be concerned if you are unsure whether your device qualifies as a Cloud PC. The session may be broadcast to gear running macOS, iPadOS, Linux, and Android, and it will be compatible with all Windows 10 and Windows 11 devices. After then, it is only a matter of going to the Cloud PC website and logging in. It works with all contemporary web browsers and Microsoft’s Remote Desktop software. It appears to be a safe option, especially because Microsoft is adopting similar techniques. Switching from a Windows desktop at work to a personal laptop at home might be unsettling in this hybrid circumstance. The launch of Windows 365 promises to make that move easier.

The features of Windows 365 plans are divided into two categories: ‘Business’ and ‘Enterprise,’ and each plan has its unique features. Without a license, business subscribers may manage everything online and add up to 300 people. The Enterprise tier removes this restriction, allowing you to expand on current licenses and use Microsoft’s Endpoint Manager data protection software.

Windows 365 Price & Plans

Windows 365 is classified into two subscription options like Business and Enterprise. There are a total of twelve types of Windows 365 cloud PC configurations to select from, each with special storage and performance. The least membership, which includes one virtual CPU, 2GB of RAM, and 64GB of storage, costs $20per month per user. This package is designed for personnel that needs access to lightweight CRM software and the like, such as frontline and contact center staff.

Both Windows 365 Business and Enterprise have some similarities in cost and configuration choices. Users that often conduct compute-intensive activities will have access to a configuration with 8 vCPUs, 32GB RAM, and 512GB storage at the opposite end of the spectrum. Businesses will have to pay $158per month per user for this plan. The Business branch offers a discount of $4.00 per cloud PC to bigger organizations that meet the requirements for membership. Consumers who subscribe to Windows 365 Business may also take advantage of the premium, but they must initially subscribe to Windows 10 Pro, Microsoft’s popular business-oriented operating system.

For 60 days, you may test three of the different configurations for free. It is the most useful of which includes four vCPUs, 16GB RAM, and 256GB storage. Microsoft’s pricing, on the other hand, appears to be competitive across the whole range of configuration options.

Difference between Microsoft 365 & Windows 365

The simplest way to describe the distinction is that Office 365 is included with Microsoft 365, but the latter includes security features and your operating system. Microsoft 365 offers two different plans: Microsoft 365 for Business and Microsoft 365 Enterprise. The M365 Enterprise package includes several additional services, such as PSTN conferencing and Legal Hold. As the titles imply, one is suited for small-medium firms, while the other is appropriate for enterprises. The maximum number of users is 300 once again in M365 for Business plans.

Business customers may now access Cloud PCs from anywhere with Windows 365. Before Microsoft’s announcement, comparable features were accessible through virtualization and remote access software. According to Microsoft, adopting Cloud PCs over regular Windows computers will have various advantages, with flexibility being the most notable. Windows 365 introduces the Cloud PC, a new hybrid personal computing category that combines the cloud’s power with the device’s capabilities to deliver a fully customized Windows experience.

Conclusion

As the first Cloud PC, Windows 365 securely streams your Windows desktop, applications, settings and information from the cloud to any device, regardless of operating system or platform. Organizations can decide whether a PC with a locally installed operating system or a Cloud PC with a cloud-based operating system is the best match for a certain user or function inside the company.