A new way of using computers has arrived, thanks to Windows 365. Picture this: You can use Windows, the familiar system you trust, from almost any device with an internet connection, wherever and whenever you want. It's not just an idea; it's something Windows 365 makes possible in the world of digital technology.
In this article, we're going to explore Windows 365 together. It's a super cool idea that changes how we use Windows. We'll look at what it can do, why it's great, and how it can make work and life easier for businesses and people.
Windows 365 is like having super flexible computers in the cloud. It also works really well with the computer systems you already have. It's like a big upgrade that makes work and connecting with others easier, especially when you need to work or access stuff from different places.
Table of Contents:
Benefits of Windows 365
Who is Windows 365 for?
Features of Windows 365
What is Windows 365?
Windows 365 is a cloud-based service that provides businesses with access to Windows desktops and applications. It is a subscription-based service, so you only pay for the features and services that you need. You can also scale your subscription up or down as your needs change.
Benefits of Windows 365
Here are some of the benefits of using Windows 365:
Increased flexibility and agility: With Windows 365, you can access your desktops and applications from anywhere, on any device. This gives you the flexibility to work from home, from the office, or from anywhere in the world.
Reduced IT costs: Windows 365 eliminates the need to purchase and maintain on-premises hardware and software. This can save you money on IT costs.
Improved security and compliance: Windows 365 is designed with security and compliance in mind. Your data is protected by Microsoft's world-class security infrastructure.
Enhanced productivity: With Windows 365, you can access your applications and data from anywhere, which can help you to be more productive.
Who is Windows 365 for?
Windows 365 is a good fit for businesses of all sizes, including small businesses, medium businesses, and large enterprises. It is also a good fit for businesses that need to:
Provide their employees with remote access to their desktops and applications.
Reduce their IT costs.
Improve the security and compliance of their data.
Increase the productivity of their employees.
Features of Windows 365
Here are some of the features of Windows 365:
Virtual desktops: Windows 365 provides you with virtual desktops that you can access from anywhere. These virtual desktops are powered by Microsoft Azure, so you can be sure that they are always up and running.
Cloud applications: Windows 365 includes a wide range of cloud applications, such as Microsoft 365 Apps. These applications are always up-to-date and secure.
Storage and file sharing: Windows 365 provides you with cloud storage and file sharing capabilities. This makes it easy to share files and collaborate with others.
Security and compliance: Windows 365 is designed with security and compliance in mind. Your data is protected by Microsoft's world-class security infrastructure.
Management and support: Windows 365 includes management and support services. This means that you don't have to worry about the day-to-day maintenance of your Windows 365 environment.
Getting started with Windows 365
In the previous section, we explored Windows 365, understanding its advantages and features. Now, let's explore the process of getting started with Windows 365. Follow these steps to begin your journey with Windows 365:
STEP 1: Purchase a subscription:
Open the Microsoft Store App and Search for "Windows 365". Now, choose a plan as per your needs or requirements: Windows 365 Business or Windows 365 Enterprise. Install the Windows 365 app.
STEP 2: Choose between Hybrid Azure AD and Native Azure AD:
Hybrid Azure AD Join is the default option. It allows you to join your Cloud PCs to your on-premises Active Directory domain, which can be useful if you have other devices in your organization that are joined to the domain.
Native Azure AD Join is a newer option that allows you to join your Cloud PCs directly to Azure AD. This can be useful if you don't have an on-premises Active Directory domain.
STEP 3: Create an on-premises network connection
This is only required if you are using Hybrid Azure AD Join. To create an on-premises network connection, you need to create a virtual network in Azure and then connect your on-premises network to the virtual network.
Follow the below steps to create on-premises network connection:
STEP 1: Go to Microsoft Endpoint Manager Admin Center.
STEP 2: Select Devices => "Windows 365 => On-Premises Network Connection.
Under the Network details section, Enter the required details, such as a name, and choose the subscription holding your resources and virtual network.
STEP 3: After entering the credentials, click Next.
STEP 4: In the AD Domain section, Enter AD DNS domains name, AD username UPN, and AD domain password.
STEP 5: Click "Next".
STEP 6: Now, review all the details you entered. After that click "Create".
STEP 4: Create and configure a Provisioning Policy
A Provisioning Policy is a set of settings that determine the configuration of your Cloud PCs. You can configure the following settings in a Provisioning Policy:
The type of image that your Cloud PCs use
The network connection that your Cloud PCs use
The applications that are installed on your Cloud PCs
The security settings for your Cloud PCs
To create the provisioning policy, follow the below steps:
STEP 1: Select Devices > Windows 365 => Provisioning Policies => Create.
Under the general section, enter the name and description of the provisioning policy. Enter the Job type and network.
STEP 2: Click "Next: Image".
STEP 3: In the Image section, select either a "Gallery Image" or a "Custom Image" for your Cloud PCs. Gallery Images are Azure-optimized Windows 10 or Windows 11 images designed for Windows 365.
When choosing a Gallery Image, you have various Azure-optimized options.
STEP 4: Click "Next: Configuration".
STEP 5: Under the configuration section, specify the following settings for your Cloud PCs:
Cloud PC license: The Windows 365 license that you want to use for your Cloud PCs.
Image: The image that you want to use for your Cloud PCs.
Network connection: The network connection that you want to use for your Cloud PCs.
Applications: The applications that you want to install on your Cloud PCs.
Security settings: The security settings that you want to configure for your Cloud PCs.
STEP 6: Click "Next".
STEP 7: Under the assignment section, specify the users or groups that the policy will apply to. You can assign a policy to individual users, groups of users, or all users in your organization.
Here are some additional things to keep in mind about the configuration and assignment sections:
The settings in the configuration section will apply to all Cloud PCs that are assigned to the policy.
The users or groups in the assignment section will be the only ones who can access the Cloud PCs that are assigned to the policy.
You can create multiple provisioning policies for Windows 365. This can be useful if you want to have different configurations for different users or groups.
You can edit or delete a provisioning policy at any time.
You can view the status of a provisioning policy on the Devices > Windows 365 > Provisioning Policies page.
STEP 8: At the end, review all the information you entered till now. After that click "Create".
STEP 5: Assign licenses to users
Assign Windows 365 licenses to your users. These licenses determine the type of Virtual Machine (VM) created for each user.
STEP 1: In the Microsoft Endpoint Manager admin center, go to "Users" > Select a user > "Licenses" and choose the Windows 365 license you want to assign.
STEP 6: Start using Windows 365
Visit the Windows 365 home page, where users can easily view the Cloud PCs they have access to within the 'Your Cloud PCs' section.
From here, users have two convenient ways to connect to their Cloud PC:
Click 'Open in browser' to launch their Cloud PC in the web client (please note that this option is not available for mobile devices).
Alternatively, choose 'Open in Remote Desktop app' to access their Cloud PC via the Remote Desktop application.
Pricing and Plans
Here are the two Windows 365 plans available:
Windows 365 Business (Starts at Rs 2,630 per user per month)
Windows 365 Enterprise (Starts at Rs 2,630 per user per month)
The prices for Windows 365 vary depending on the number of users, the amount of storage, and the features that you need. You can get a quote from Microsoft for the specific pricing that you need.
Windows 365 Business: This plan is designed for small and medium businesses. It includes the following features:
Virtual desktops with Windows 10 or Windows 11
Cloud applications, such as Microsoft 365 Apps
Storage and file sharing
Security and compliance features
Management and support
Windows 365 Enterprise: This plan is designed for large enterprises. It includes all of the features of Windows 365 Business, plus the following features:
Dedicated virtual machines
Premium support
Advanced security features
Conclusion
In this article, we've looked at Windows 365—a big step forward in how we use computers. It's not just a regular computer system; it's like having the freedom to use Windows from anywhere you want, whenever you want. With cool features like Cloud PCs and easy connections, Windows 365 makes your work life easier and more flexible.
To get started with Windows 365, you simply choose between two options: Windows 365 Business or Windows 365 Enterprise, and then set up your Cloud PCs. This new way of doing things is changing the game, especially for remote work.
In a world where being able to work from different places is super important, Windows 365 is like a guiding light. It makes computing available to everyone. So, embrace this change, supercharge your work, and stay ahead in the fast-moving digital world. Windows 365 is your ticket to a more connected and efficient way of using computers.