Microsoft launches Windows 365 virtual desktop service

Windows 365 Cloud PC enables people to access their desktop from anywhere via a browser

Microsoft on Wednesday unveiled 'Windows 365 Cloud PC' - a new service that puts Windows in the cloud and enables people and businesses to access their PC from anywhere.

According to Microsoft, Cloud PC is specifically designed to fulfil growing demands of hybrid work environments that enable employees to divide their time between the office and home.

The new service will let users access their Windows 10 (and eventually Windows 11) devices, including their data, apps and settings, from either a personal or business device or a phone, thus eliminating the need to commute with their PC.

It is designed to provide a complete computing experience through a web browser or a native app on any device that has an active Internet connection. Users can use Windows 365 from a PC, Mac, iPad or any mobile device with a browser, including the Raspberry Pi micro-computers that are starting to be popular in education.

The company is also said to be working with hardware OEMs on dedicated devices that will only run as Cloud PCs.

Microsoft already has a virtualisation product that is used by organisations to provide employees access to cloud-based Windows computers. It was earlier called Windows Virtual Desktop, but was renamed as Azure Virtual Desktop (AVD) last month.

Microsoft says the service is particularly designed for organisations without dedicated IT resources. The Cloud PC service relies on Azure Virtual Desktop but reduces complexity for admins, offering greater control and by requiring fewer technical skills.

"Windows 365 is really going to make a huge difference for organisations that wanted to try virtualisation for various reasons but could not - maybe it was too costly, too complex or they didn't have the expertise in house to do it," said Wangui McKelvey, general manager of Microsoft 365.

With Windows 365, McKelvey said, admins can manage Cloud PCs using the same tools they use to manage physical PCs.

Although Windows 365 Cloud PC relies on Microsoft's Azure cloud infrastructure, the company has put the service under the Windows Commercial category for financial reporting purposes.

Windows 365 Cloud PC will be generally available to businesses from 2nd August. Microsoft has not yet revealed pricing details, but some reports claimed that it would be available for a flat subscription rate per user per month.

Organisations will also have the option to choose specific configurations of storage, processing power, and memory, depending on their needs.