Microsoft Launches Windows 365 - Cloud PC Access

Microsoft Unveils Windows 365: Cloud-Based Desktop Access

Today marks the launch of Windows 365 by Microsoft, a new service designed to provide businesses with a streamlined method for granting employees access to a Windows 10 desktop environment hosted in the cloud. Windows 11 access will be integrated as soon as it becomes generally available.

The service, conceptually similar to game streaming, delivers a full desktop experience remotely. It will be exclusively available to business users starting August 2, 2021.

A Long-Anticipated Evolution

The announcement, delivered via a press release, confirms expectations that have been building for some time. Windows 365 represents a natural progression of Microsoft’s existing remote desktop capabilities.

Many are questioning if Microsoft already offers Azure Virtual Desktop for similar cloud-based PC access. The key distinction lies in usability; Windows 365 is designed for simplicity, avoiding the complexities associated with configuring a complete Azure Virtual Desktop setup within the Azure cloud.

Addressing Complexity and Hybrid Work

One might ask why Microsoft didn’t simply enhance the usability of Azure Virtual Desktop. Azure Virtual Desktop is geared towards larger enterprises and inherently requires integration with existing, often complex, infrastructure.

The recent pandemic accelerated its adoption by smaller businesses due to limited alternatives, but Microsoft acknowledges the management challenges it presented. Windows 365 offers a more streamlined experience, functioning as a relatively clean slate and accessible through a straightforward subscription model.

Microsoft affirms its continued development of Azure Virtual Desktop for organizations seeking greater customization and virtualization control. The rebranding of Windows Virtual Desktop to Azure Virtual Desktop now makes logical sense, preventing potential confusion.

Introducing the "Cloud PC"

This launch also allows Microsoft to introduce the concept of a “new hybrid personal computing category,” termed a “Cloud PC” by CEO Satya Nadella.

Nadella explains that, mirroring the shift of applications to the cloud via SaaS, the operating system is now also being delivered from the cloud. This provides organizations with increased flexibility and a secure means of empowering their workforce, irrespective of location.

Is this simply a modern take on the thin client concept? Perhaps, but the focus isn’t on specific hardware. It’s a virtualized operating system accessible from any location – a concept that has existed for quite some time.

The Future of Hybrid Workspaces

Jared Spataro, corporate vice president of Microsoft 365, highlights the fundamental changes in technology’s role within organizations due to the rise of hybrid work models.

He states that dispersed workforces require new solutions to deliver a productive, versatile, and secure experience. The “Cloud PC” represents an innovative category of hybrid personal computing, transforming any device into a personalized digital workspace.

The launch of Windows 365 is presented as the initial step in a broader vision, blurring the boundaries between devices and the cloud.

Image Credits: Microsoft