Windows 365

Learn about Windows 365, an innovative solution that allows users stream their apps, data, and settings to any device.

Windows 365 - secure streaming experience

Windows 365 (which is also known as Cloud PC) is Microsoft’s first DaaS (Desktop as a Service) offering within Microsoft 365. It allows users to stream a Windows 10 or 11 desktops to any of their devices and from any location. 

Simplifying, Windows 365 is a virtualization service that could open new opportunities for businesses from a cost, administration, and productivity perspective. 

Instead of buying new hardware and hosting the operating system and applications locally, using up both storage and compute resources, Windows 365 lets users stream their apps, data, and settings to any device – including those that run on macOS, Linux or Android. 

Currently, there are two versions of cloud PCs available: Enterprise and Business

Windows 365
Windows 365

Architecture

Windows 365 provides a per-user per-month license model by hosting Cloud PCs on behalf of customers in Microsoft Azure. In this model, there’s no need to consider storage, compute infrastructure architecture, or costs. The Windows 365 architecture also lets you use your existing investments in Azure networking and security. Each Cloud PC is provisioned according to the configuration you define in the Windows 365 section of the Microsoft Endpoint Manager admin center. 

Windows 365 main components

  • Azure AD
  • Identity Services
  • Storage
  • User Connectivity
  • Virtual network connectivity: Azure Network Security Groups; User Defined Routing; Azure Firewall; Network virtual appliances (NVAs) 
  • Microsoft Endpoint Manager integration
High level Architecture diagram
High-level Architecture diagram

How does Windows 365 operate?

Accessing from the browser to their Cloud PC, users can stream all their applications, tools, data, and settings from the cloud across any device. Windows 365 provides the full PC experience in the cloud. The cloud also provides versatility in processing power and storage, enabling IT to scale based on their needs. With a choice of either Windows 10 or Windows 11, organizations can choose the Cloud PC that works for them with per-user per-month pricing. 

Windows 365 Business vs Windows 365 Enterprise

  • Windows 365 Business

  • Windows 365 Enterprise

  • Simplify setup, deployment, and management of Cloud PCs with easy, direct purchasing.

  • Include Cloud PCs with centralized end-to-end management using Microsoft Endpoint Manager

  • Manage online

    Customers can purchase directly from windows365.com, set up their account without a domain, and provision and manage their Cloud PCs directly from windows365.microsoft.com.

  • Manage with Microsoft Endpoint Manager

    Customers can purchase directly from windows365.com or from their account representative, then provision and manage their Cloud PCs in fully integrated Microsoft Endpoint Manager.

  • Get started quickly

    No other Microsoft licenses are required. Get started with just a credit card.

  • Build on your existing Microsoft licenses

    Windows 365 Enterprise users must be licensed for Windows 10 Enterprise or Windows 11 Enterprise, Microsoft Endpoint Manager, and Azure Active Directory P1. In addition to being available independently, these licenses are included in Microsoft 365 F3, Microsoft 365 E3, Microsoft 365 E5, Microsoft 365 A3, Microsoft 365 A5, Microsoft 365 Business Premium, and Microsoft 365 Education Student Use Benefit subscriptions.

  • Add up to 300 users

    Windows 365 Business is for customers who want to deploy Cloud PCs for 300 users or fewer across their organization.

  • Add any number of users

    Windows 365 Enterprise is for larger businesses that want to deploy Cloud PCs across their organization for an unlimited number of users

Windows 365 licensing

Windows 365 licensing diagram

Meeting key industry needs

To sum up, Windows 365 is a great and valuable asset for any industry to enable seamless, secure and personalized streaming across multiple devices a company uses.

Here are some data-driven examples:

  • For healthcare, Windows 365 integration meets most crucial security and compliance requirements
  • In the field of education, this solution can help to resolve diverse hardware issues.
  • Financial institutes could benefit with Windows 365 installation given its capability to facilitate PCI-DSS compliant desktops.
  • With the advanced Windows protection features, legal companies could reduce cyber threats and data breaches – two common and most relevant challenges. At last, manufactures can also gain effective results, as Windows 365 decreases hardware costs. 

At VNEXT iQ, our senior consultants have advanced technological expertise with the focus on the industries mentioned above. If you would like to get more detailed information about the Windows 365 innovative solution or connect with our specialists to learn how to implement it, feel free to reach out to our team here.