Windows 365 Cloud PC Poised to Offer MSPs Simpler Virtual Desktop Option
MICROSOFT INSPIRE — Microsoft’s launch of Windows 365 Cloud PC will bring a new way for managed service providers (MSPs) to deliver desktops as a service. Revealed Wednesday at the Microsoft Inspire partner event, it’s a simpler, though less flexible alternative to Azure Virtual Desktop (AVD).
Set for release on Aug. 2, Windows 365 promises to broaden the reach of cloud-hosted desktop computing. It will stream Windows 10 – and eventually Windows 11 and apps – to PCs, Macs, tablets and phones. Windows 365 will work from iOS and Android devices, and with a Linux client now in development. It will also stream Microsoft 365 apps, including Teams and Office.
“With Windows 365, we are making Windows available not just on Windows devices, but any device harnessing the power of the cloud,” Microsoft chairman and CEO Satya Nadella said during the opening keynote at Inspire. “This has never been done before. Think about it, just like applications were brought to the cloud with SaaS, we are now bringing the operating system to the cloud with Windows 365.”
Microsoft will offer Windows 365 as a per-user, per-month subscription service. It will be available directly online, from OEMs, VARs or through MSPs, according to Microsoft 365 general manager Wangui McKelvey.
“Whether it’s a business of hundreds or a business of one, we’ve made setup and management easy with a web-based admin experience that only requires an internet connection to work,” McKelvey said during a session at Inspire on Thursday. “Windows 365 simplifies procurement, deployment, management and updates because unlike other solutions, it uses virtualization behind the scenes.”
Compatible with Existing Infrastructure
Windows 365 will work with organizations’ existing infrastructure. It integrates natively with Azure Active Directory, Microsoft Defender, Microsoft 365 applications and Microsoft Endpoint Manager, McKelvey explained.
“It requires no special skills or previous experience with virtualization, because it allows IT to use the same tools they use today,” she said.
Microsoft will not disclose pricing until Aug. 1, the day before Windows 365 becomes available. Pricing will depend on configuration such as the number of cores, memory and storage selected. It will be available in two versions: basic business and enterprise.
The basic version is completely managed by Microsoft, whereas customers and MSPs can managed the enterprise edition.
“With the business edition, there’s no direct admin access; there’s zero flexibility, but there are some people who want that,” said Joseph Landes, chief revenue officer of Nerdio. “I think we’ll see the more sophisticated MSPs probably offering the Enterprise Windows 365 SKU where it’s customer-managed and its more flexible.”
Windows 365 vs. Azure Virtual Desktop
Landes believes MSPs that have avoided Azure Virtual Desktop (AVD) – until recently called Windows Virtual Desktop – will be more likely to offer Windows 365.
“I think that we’ll see a lot of MSPs who have resisted moving to the cloud move to offer Windows 365,” he said.
Conceptually, Windows 365 is similar to AVD. Both are Azure-hosted services that stream Windows desktops and apps to remote devices. But AVD, which Nerdio already offers, is more flexible, through also more complex, said Landes.
“Among other things, AVD is a multiuser Windows client, whereas Microsoft Windows 365 is for …
- Page 1
- Page 2