Microsoft releases Windows 365: Put your PC in the cloud and create it in a few minutes

At the Microsoft Inspire 2021 Partner Conference, Microsoft officially released its new cloud service Windows 365, allowing enterprises to experience Windows 10 or Windows 11 systems in the cloud. Specifically, Windows 365 brings the operating system to the Microsoft Smart Cloud and provides a smooth and complete Windows experience on personal or company devices through streaming, including applications, data, and various settings. The service will be available to enterprises from August 2, 2021.

What is Windows 365?

At the moment when many companies have started a mixed office approach of office work and remote work, the launch of Windows 365 has revealed Microsoft's focus on the mixed work model.

Microsoft said: Windows 365 services follow the "zero trust" principle, ensuring security from the design source, storing information and ensuring security in the cloud instead of the device. The Windows 365 service has created a new hybrid personal computing category called Cloud PC, which combines the power of cloud computing with the functions of the device to build a complete and personalized Windows experience.

Windows 365 can run on any modern web browser or through Microsoft's Remote Desktop app, allowing users to access Cloud PC from a variety of devices. Microsoft 365 general manager Wangui McKelvey said that Windows 365 provides an instant-on experience, that is, users can transfer apps, tools, data, and settings from the cloud to Macs, iPads, Linux machines, and Android devices. "You can continue where you left off, because even if you switch devices, the status of Cloud PC remains the same," McKelvey explained.

Windows 365 Stream Windows to a web browser.

Satya Nadella, Chairman and CEO of Microsoft, said: “We have created a new category with Windows 365: Cloud PC. Just like bringing applications to the cloud in SaaS, we now bring the operating system to the cloud. It is also brought to the cloud, which will provide organizations with a more flexible and secure way of working, allowing employees to stay connected no matter where they are, and better release productivity."

It is reported that there are two versions of Windows 365: Windows 365 Business and Windows 365 Enterprise. Both are supported by Azure Virtual Desktop. A single Cloud PC can be configured with a minimum of one CPU, 2GB RAM and 64GB storage, and a maximum of 8 CPUs, 32GB RAM and 512GB storage. In addition, Microsoft provides 12 different configurations for these two Windows 365 versions, and enterprises will have multiple options.

What are the highlights of Windows 365?

Technically speaking, Microsoft's provision of Windows in the cloud is not much different from the virtualization options that enterprises can choose now. Microsoft has provided similar technology through Azure Virtual Desktop, and Citrix has been providing cloud-hosted desktop PCs for many years. Microsoft tries to differentiate from other products in terms of ease of use and management. McKelvey said that for organizations that want to try virtualization for various reasons but fail to achieve it, Windows 365 will really bring huge changes.

Microsoft said that Windows 365 can make enterprises feel more at ease in three aspects:

• is powerful. starts Cloud PC instantly, and users can transfer applications, tools, data and settings from the cloud to any device. Windows 365 provides a complete PC experience in the cloud, while cloud computing provides versatility in terms of processing power and storage, allowing IT staff to expand or reduce capacity as needed. Windows 365 supports Windows 10 and Windows 11 (to take effect after the official commercial use later in 2021). Organizations can choose the appropriate Cloud PC, and the pricing is per user/monthly.
• easy to manage. Cloud PC allows users to log in across devices and continue work that has not been completed before, bringing a simplified and familiar Windows operating experience based on cloud computing. For IT personnel, Windows 365 can also simplify deployment, update and management-unlike other solutions, Windows 365 does not require any virtualization experience. With Windows 365's optimization of endpoints, IT staff can easily help their organizations purchase, deploy, and manage Cloud PCs, just as they manage physical PCs through Microsoft Endpoint Manager. Small and medium-sized enterprises can also purchase Windows 365 directly or through cloud service providers, and complete the organization's Cloud PC settings with simple clicks. Microsoft will also continue to innovate in Azure Virtual Desktop to help organizations that have deep virtualization experience and need more customization and flexibility options.
• safety protection. Relying on the powerful capabilities of Microsoft's smart cloud and the principle of "zero trust", Windows 365 ensures security from the design source. Information is protected and stored in the cloud, not on the device side. Windows 365 can always maintain the latest version, and at the same time, based on Microsoft's rich security features and benchmarks, strengthen security and simplify management, and recommend the best security settings based on the user's environment.

In addition, companies can create Cloud PCs and assign them to employees in minutes, eliminating the need for specialized physical hardware. This may be attractive for companies that require remote employees or even temporary contractors who need secure access to the company's network. The entire Windows PC is in the cloud, so employees don't need to worry about the security of their personal devices.

Enterprises can create Cloud PC in minutes

At present, Windows 365 is only suitable for enterprises, but it is not difficult to imagine that in the future, Microsoft will provide consumers with more powerful PC computing directly in the browser. Windows 365 may be an important step towards the future of being able to use Windows without a dedicated Windows PC.

Reference link:

• https://www.theverge.com/2021/7/14/22575064/microsoft-windows-365-cloud-pc-launch-date-price-features
• https://mp.weixin.qq.com/s/oTWa1NuRduYUXNVGHjr79A