Microsoft Windows 365: Five reasons why Cloud PC is a big deal

With Windows 365, Microsoft announced a new category of windows for the cloud PC. With the power of the cloud, Microsoft is making Windows 365 available on any device. Similar to SaaS (Software as a Service), which brought individual applications to the cloud, Microsoft is now bringing the entire operating system to the cloud with Windows 365.

With COVID-19 organizations have experienced historic level of disruption and challenges. The future is very unpredictable and it has made technology more critical than ever to accelerate forward. As we emerge from the pandemic, we are shifting into a new world of hybrid work.

In a study of more than 30,000 people in more than 31 countries, 73% of workers want flexible remote work options, 67% of employees want more in-person collaboration, 80% of managers expect more flexible work from home policies and 46% of workforce is now planning to move because they can now work remotely. Organizations will need to adapt their digital solutions to keep their people connected and collaborating as they can be working from home or office or anywhere in between.

How does Microsoft Cloud PC work?

Microsoft is using hybrid approach such that Windows is accessible on the device as well as the cloud. With just a few clicks, you can setup your cloud PC and stream the full Windows from Microsoft Cloud to a personal or corporate device. The state of your cloud PC remains the same so you can pick up right where you left off even when you switch devices. Windows 365 only requires a device that includes the HTML5 browser and a DSL connection or a wireless internet connection capable of streaming a video. 

Windows 365 is built on top of Azure Virtual Desktop but it eliminates the complexity of traditional virtualization as it doesn’t require additional skills or tools to deploy and manage. As a user, you just access the Windows 365 user portal (similar to office 365), where you can launch directly into your cloud PC by clicking the option for ‘open in browser’.

If you don’t want to use your browser, you also have option for downloading a native application for accessing the cloud PC, which will be available for Windows, Mac, iOS, or Android device with support for Linux coming soon.

In the Microsoft 365 admin center, the IT admin can easily assign Windows 365 cloud PC by selecting the appropriate specs as well as Microsoft 365 license and membership groups in one place. In Microsoft Endpoint manager admin center, the IT admin can get an overview of all cloud PCs, user settings, on-premise network connections, device images, and provisioning policies. The admin can also look at connection, resource, and device performance to assess if the cloud PCs are overpowered or underpowered to make appropriate adjustments as required.

Five reasons why Windows 365 is a big deal

1. Access from any device, anywhere: If you are in a situation where you need a new computer either because your current computer has become slower or you are not able to use your current computer for a demanding application, then Windows 365 offers some unique advantages. With Windows 365, you can sign up for a subscription based on your CPU, RAM, and Storage needs. Once you have Windows 365 account, you can instantly access your cloud PC from any of your devices, including your iPad or Android tablet. You can basically use any tablet, smartphone, or old computer with an internet connection to access your cloud PC that has high-end performance.
2. Gigabit internet connectivity: The only requirement is to have a device with an internet connection that is fast enough to stream a movie. Once you are connected to the Microsoft cloud PC, you get access to 10 Gbps download and 4 Gbps upload speed. So if you have a 20 Mbps internet connection, you can use that to access Gigabit internet connectivity via Microsoft Windows 365. You no longer have to pay for an expensive internet connection.
3. Continue your work on any device: The Windows 365 will be personalized and familiar with all of your settings and content. When you go back to your cloud PC, it will be right where you left it, no matter the device you use to access it. Windows 365 is streamed from the cloud and it travels with you always ready and updated.
4. Greater Flexibility and Security: A cloud PC is scalable and resilient against changing needs. Windows 365 offers many configuration options, which can be easily scaled to meet your needs with right processing power and storage to do the job. Windows 365 offers security by design as it stores information on the cloud and not on the device. Microsoft will offer per user per month pricing that can be purchased directly through the web or cloud service provider.
5. Simple to deploy and manage: It is a challenge to operate with agility without over burdening IT, letting cost get out of control, sacrificing productivity, or compromising security. It can be extremely difficult and time consuming to manage this change in the workplace for IT departments. Microsoft will offer a web-based admin experience that makes setup and management easy. With zero touch onboarding and provisioning, you can setup the cloud PC with just few clicks. As an IT admin, you no longer have to procure, deploy and manage devices as Windows 365 will use virtualization behind the scenes. You can leverage your existing infrastructure with native integration across Microsoft Azure active directory, Microsoft Defender, Microsoft 365 apps, and Microsoft Endpoint Manager. You don’t need additional tools to deploy and manage Windows 365.

Configuration Options for Microsoft Cloud PC

See table below for various PC configurations and example scenarios with recommended applications.

CPU / RAM / Storage	Example scenarios	Recommended apps
1vCPU / 2GB / 64GB	Frontline workers, Call centers, Education/training/CRM access.	Office light (web-based), Microsoft Edge, OneDrive, lightweight line-of-business app (e.g. call center application – web-apps), Defender support.
2vCPU / 4GB / 64GB	Mergers and acquisition, Short-term and seasonal, Customer Services, Bring-Your-Own-PC, Work from home	Microsoft 365 Apps, Microsoft Teams (audio-only), Outlook, Excel, PowerPoint, OneDrive, Adobe Reader, Edge, Line-of-business app(s) , Defender support.
2vCPU / 4GB / 128GB	Mergers and acquisition, Short-term and seasonal, Customer Services, Bring-Your-Own-PC, Work from home	Microsoft 365 Apps, Microsoft Teams (audio-only), Outlook, Excel, PowerPoint, OneDrive, Adobe Reader, Edge, Line-of-business app(s) , Defender support.
2vCPU / 4GB / 256GB	Mergers and acquisition, Short-term and seasonal, Customer Services, Bring-Your-Own-PC, Work from home	Microsoft 365 Apps, Microsoft Teams (audio-only), Outlook, Excel, PowerPoint, OneDrive, Adobe Reader, Edge, Line-of-business app(s) , Defender support.
2vCPU / 8GB / 128GB	Bring-Your-Own-PC, Work from home, Market Researchers, Government, consultants	Microsoft 365 Apps, Microsoft Teams, Outlook, Excel, Access, PowerPoint, OneDrive, Adobe Reader, Edge, Line-of-business app(s) , Defender support.
2vCPU / 8GB / 256GB	Bring-Your-Own-PC, Work from home, Market Researchers, Government, consultants	Microsoft 365 Apps, Microsoft Teams, Outlook, Excel, Access, PowerPoint, OneDrive, Adobe Reader, Edge, Line-of-business app(s) , Defender support.
4vCPU / 16GB / 128GB	Finance, Government, consultants, Healthcare services, Bring-Your-Own-PC, Work from home	Microsoft 365 Apps, Microsoft Teams, Outlook, Excel, Access, PowerPoint, PowerBi, Dynamics 365, OneDrive, Adobe Reader, Edge, Line-of-business app(s), Defender support.
4vCPU / 16GB / 256GB	Finance, Government, consultants, Healthcare services, Bring-Your-Own-PC, Work from home	Microsoft 365 Apps, Microsoft Teams, Outlook, Excel, Access, PowerPoint, PowerBi, Dynamics 365, OneDrive, Adobe Reader, Edge, Line-of-business app(s), Defender support.
4vCPU / 16GB / 512GB	Finance, Government, consultants, Healthcare services, Bring-Your-Own-PC, Work from home	Microsoft 365 Apps, Microsoft Teams, Outlook, Excel, Access, PowerPoint, PowerBi, Dynamics 365, OneDrive, Adobe Reader, Edge, Line-of-business app(s), Defender support.
8vCPU / 32GB / 128GB	Software developers, engineers, Content Creators, Design and Engineering workstations	Microsoft 365 Apps, Microsoft Teams, Outlook, Access, OneDrive, Adobe Reader, Edge, PowerBi, Visual Studio Code, Line-of-business app(s), Defender support.
8vCPU / 32GB / 256GB	Software developers, engineers, Content Creators, Design and Engineering workstations	Microsoft 365 Apps, Microsoft Teams, Outlook, Access, OneDrive, Adobe Reader, Edge, PowerBi, Visual Studio Code, Line-of-business app(s), Defender support.
8vCPU / 32GB / 512GB	Software developers, engineers, Content Creators, Design and Engineering workstations	Microsoft 365 Apps, Microsoft Teams, Outlook, Access, OneDrive, Adobe Reader, Edge, PowerBi, Visual Studio Code, Line-of-business app(s), Defender support.

Pricing and Availability: Windows 365 Cloud PC

Windows 365 brings Windows to the cloud as it is a new way deliver Windows with personalized apps, settings, and content streamed from Microsoft Cloud to any device. Microsoft offers two editions, Enterprise and Business, that include a complete cloud-based offering with multiple Cloud PC configurations based on performance needs.

Customers can purchase Windows 365 as a separate license per user for a fixed monthly fee to access and use the Cloud PC(s). It has been revealed that Microsoft will allow businesses to use Windows 365 cloud PC for $31 per user, per month. As part of the Windows 365 Business option, the $31 monthly subscription offers two CPUs, 4GB of RAM, and 128GB of storage. You can sign up for free trial or purchase Windows 365 starting today on August 2, 2021.

Check out our other articles that might be of interest:

• BEST GAMING PC IN 2021: HOW TO GET MOST VALUE FOR YOUR MONEY
• HP Spectre vs Apple MacBook Air vs Dell XPS vs Surface Laptop: Best laptops compared
• 7 REASONS WHY XBOX SERIES X IS BETTER THAN PLAYSTATION 5
• GOOGLE STADIA VS XBOX ONE X VS PC: WHICH ONE IS BETTER?

Source: Work Trend Index, TheVerge