Windows 365 Cloud PCs are the perfect solution for the modern workforce who wish to work securely and remotely. Cloud PCs enable secure remote working while retaining the familiar Microsoft Windows experience. Securely stream your personalised Windows experience from Azure, including your desktop, apps, settings and content – anytime, from any device.
How do I access Windows 365?
Windows 365 is accessible from any location with an active internet connection. Users can connect to their personalised desktop using a supported browser or the Windows 365 desktop app. Windows 365 was developed by Microsoft from the very outset to support hybrid work experience. Whether your staff members are front-line workers or senior staff who are required to operate in a secure IT environment, VPNs or custom remote access software are not required.
Are Cloud PCs secure?
Windows 365 follows the Zero Trust security model. – so your Cloud PC is very secure – and you go through the same authentication and authorisation processes you’d associate with Office 365. Security mechanisms such as Conditional Access, IP address and country restrictions, Password Policies and MFA (multi-factor authentication) can all be implemented.
Using Endpoint Manager and Microsoft Azure AD, you also gain access to a rich audit and access logs suite.
As the Cloud PC is a fully-featured Windows 11 desktop, it too can feature endpoint protection such as Sophos Intercept-X or Windows Defender, an MDR/EDR tool such as Sophos Managed Detection and Response or Huntress, and other agents such as Cisco Umbrella.
Your typical patching and update policies will also apply, ensuring Windows and your Apps are always up to date.
Where is my data located?
The Cloud PCs can be located in various Microsoft Azure Regions.
What’s the difference between Windows 365 Business and Enterprise?
A detailed comparison is available on the Microsoft website, however, based on our own experience, we have summarised the differences below:
Windows 365 Business
- Good for organisations that use Office 365 and Cloud applications (web-based).
- Not a great fit if you have
- Legacy infrastructure.
- Client-server-based desktop applications.
- Basic administration
- No requirement for an Azure subscription.
- Do not use traditional Active Directory.
Windows 365 Enterprise
- Suitable for organisations who use Office 365, Cloud Apps and enterprise line of business apps.
- Works alongside enterprise Active Directory.
- Supports hybrid cloud/datacentre/on-premise operation.
- Advanced customisation, provisioning and management through Endpoint Manager.
- Requires an Azure subscription.
- Requires Active Directory.
My IT infrastructure is on-site, but I want some users to have Cloud PCs – can this work?
Yes – we can build a VPN from Azure into your on-premise IT environment. This means staff can use your systems from within the office, while remote-workers can use a Cloud PC and have similar access levels. This type of setup supports a gradual transition towards the Cloud.
How does it compare to Remote Desktop Services (RDS), Citrix or VMWare?
Based on our experience, we believe Windows 365 Cloud PCs offers the best performance of any remote-desktop type solution, and the Cloud PCs support all the services you have become accustomed to (i.e. Teams, video streaming, video calls, etc).
How much does it cost?
Windows 365 Business
- Basic: 2 x vCPU, 4GB RAM, 128GB Storage, £26.40 per month
- Standard: 2 x vCPU, 8GB RAM, 128GB Storage, £34.90 per month
- Premium: 4 x vCPU, 16GB RAM, 128GB Storage, £56.20 per month
Windows 365 Enterprise
- Basic: 2 x vCPU, 4GB RAM, 128GB Storage, £26.40 per month
- Standard: 2 x vCPU, 8GB RAM, 128GB Storage, £34.90 per month
- Premium: 4 x vCPU, 16GB RAM, 128GB Storage, £56.20 per month
Do I need my server estate in Azure to work with Cloud PCs?
No – although there are many other benefits of shifting your IT workloads into Microsoft Azure, alongside Windows 365.
Find out more
If you want to learn more about Windows 365 Cloud PCs, arrange a trial or discuss how your business may embark on a cloud migration – please get in touch.
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