Windows 365-Describe Microsoft 365 apps and services

Windows 365 is the simpler of the two virtual desktop options, with fewer elements configurable by the subscriber. The product is sold on a tiered monthly subscription basis, much like Microsoft 365 and many other Microsoft products. This makes Windows 365 a familiar purchasing experience for existing Microsoft customers.

Windows 365 delivers what Microsoft calls a cloud PC. A cloud PC is essentially a virtual machine running on a server in a Microsoft datacenter. Customers purchase cloud PCs in much the same way as a physical PC from an online retailer. They select a model with a specific processor, a certain amount of RAM and storage, and other hardware characteristics, paying more for tiers with more RAM, for example. The decision as to which pricing scheme is preferable must be based on the size and requirements of the individual organization.

Once subscribed, users can access their cloud PCs through the Windows 365 website (windows365.microsoft.com), the Windows 365 app, or a Microsoft Remote Desktop client.

Note Key difference

Windows 365 is a flat-rate monthly subscription service with specified limits in virtual hardware, storage, and bandwidth. Subscribers pay the entire monthly fee however much the desktop is actually used. By contrast, AVD pricing is usage-based. Customers pay only for the services they actually consume.

The Windows 365 products are divided into two types: Business and Enterprise. The Business plans are intended for small and medium businesses, whereas the Enterprise plans are designed for large businesses with existing IT infrastructures. In addition, both the Business and Enterprise cloud PCs are available in three tiers: Basic, Standard, and Premium, which define three virtual hardware configurations for the cloud PC, as shown in Table 2-2.

 

TABLE 2-2 Windows 365 Product Tiers

	Basic	Standard	Premium
Processors	2 vCPU	2 vCPU	4 vCPU
RAM	4 GB	8 GB	16 GB
Storage	128 GB	128 GB	128 GB
Apps	Microsoft 365 apps	Microsoft 365 apps	Microsoft 365 apps, Microsoft Visual Studio, Power BI, Dynamics 365
Microsoft Teams	Voice and chat only	Desktop version	Desktop version
Maximum users	Business: 300 Enterprise: unlimited	Business: 300 Enterprise: unlimited	Business: 300 Enterprise: unlimited

The primary difference between Business and Enterprise cloud PCs is in their respective manageability. Business cloud PCs run in a Microsoft Managed Azure subscription, not the customer’s own Azure subscription (if they have one). Therefore, the subscriber has no administrative access to the underlying Azure technology.

Business Cloud PCs are also provisioned with a standard Windows image and use many default settings. They have no means of remote management or configuration. All modifications must be performed through the user interface. The experience is essentially that of a small business owner with no IT infrastructure purchasing individual PCs for their business.

Enterprise cloud PCs support remote management through enrollment in Microsoft Intune, but users must have an Intune license, and the organization must have an existing Azure subscription that supports Azure AD Hybrid Join. The customer’s Azure subscription is also responsible for the network communication to and from the cloud PC virtual machine.

As with Business cloud PCs, the VM for an Enterprise cloud PC runs in a Microsoft Managed Azure subscription. However, the virtual network interface card in the VM is connected to a vNet in the customer’s Azure subscription. Therefore, while the customer does not have to pay the Azure costs incurred by the cloud PC’s VM, they do have to pay whatever costs arise from the VM’s network traffic, all of which passes through the customer’s Azure account.

In addition to the distinctions already mentioned, Enterprise cloud PCs also provide administrators with more flexibility in deployment. The subscriber can supply a customized image file for the cloud PCs and specify configuration settings, such as group memberships, security permissions, and group policies. None of these things are possible on a Business cloud PC.

Therefore, obtaining a Business cloud PC is no more difficult than ordering a physical computer from an online retailer. The only prerequisite (besides the monthly fee) is an Internet-connected device that can access the cloud PC. Enterprise cloud PCs are a bit more complicated, since Microsoft assumes that their target audience is larger businesses with an established IT infrastructure and a commitment to Microsoft management tools, such as Microsoft 365 Enterprise subscribers.