Windows 365, or how to have your own computer in the cloud

Windows 365 is the Microsoft service that gives each employee a Windows computer in the cloud (a Cloud PC), which they use from a browser or from the Windows App, on any device, for a monthly subscription. Files, apps and settings stay in the cloud, so you find your computer exactly as you left it, whether you’re working at the office, at home or on your personal laptop.

We wrote the first version of this article in July 2021, when Microsoft had just announced the service. Windows 365 became available on August 2, 2021, and below you’ll find out how it works today.

What is Windows 365?

Windows 365 is a Desktop as a Service offering: Microsoft hosts the computer in its data centers, and you connect to it over the internet. You can choose different configurations (processor, memory, storage) depending on what each employee does, so you only pay for the resources they need.

The service comes in several editions. Windows 365 Business is designed for small companies, with up to 300 users, and is simple to manage. Windows 365 Enterprise is for larger companies that manage their computers with Microsoft Intune.

The Windows license is included in the subscription. Office apps aren’t: Microsoft 365 Apps are licensed separately, for example through a Microsoft 365 Business Standard or Business Premium subscription. See also what each Microsoft 365 plan includes.

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How much does Windows 365 cost?

The cost depends on the configuration chosen for each Cloud PC. In July 2021, before launch, Microsoft gave the example of a Cloud PC with 2 virtual processors, 4 GB of RAM and 128 GB of storage at about $31 per month, and The Verge published the details of the configurations and pricing at the time. Current prices are on Microsoft’s Windows 365 page.

When you compare the cost with a physical computer, also factor in the Microsoft 365 licenses, the internet connection and the device you connect from.

What are the advantages of a computer in the cloud?

• Access from anywhere. You connect from a browser or from the Windows App, on Windows, Mac, iPhone, iPad or Android, without setting up a VPN for the cloud computer. This makes working from home much easier.
• Secure login. You log in with your company’s Microsoft account and two-step verification: you enter your email address and password, then confirm on your phone.
• Data doesn’t live on the laptop. If the laptop breaks down, gets lost or is stolen, the data stays in the cloud, and the employee keeps working from another device.
• Resources that are easy to scale up. When an employee needs a more powerful computer, the configuration is changed from the console, with no new hardware.
• Teamwork. With OneDrive, SharePoint and Teams, employees work on the same files and share them easily with each other.
• Local equipment. When you connect from a Windows computer, you can use multiple monitors, as well as the printers and multifunction devices connected directly to your computer.

Who does Windows 365 make sense for?

Windows 365 makes the most sense for:

• employees who work from home or from several locations;
• contractors and temporary employees, who quickly get a company computer without having a laptop shipped to them;
• companies that don’t want their data stored on employees’ personal devices;
• employees who use heavy applications only occasionally.

It has its limits too: without a good internet connection you can’t work, and for an employee who’s always at the office, using the same apps, a physical computer may be cheaper in the long run.

What has changed since 2021?

For connecting, Microsoft now recommends the Windows App, which has gradually replaced the Remote Desktop apps. New editions have also appeared, such as Windows 365 Flex, where a single license covers up to three Cloud PCs used in turn, not at the same time, for example by employees who work in shifts. See also the article on Windows 365 Cloud PC and hybrid personal computing.

Even though there’s still a myth that cloud technologies aren’t mature enough, the experience of recent years has shown the opposite: with more and more work done from home or from other locations, more and more companies use cloud services.

RezolvIT is an IT outsourcing company experienced in implementing cloud technologies and helping companies make working from home easier for their employees. If you want to find out whether Windows 365 is right for your company, request a free IT audit or contact us.

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