Update: After announcing Windows 365 a couple of weeks ago, Microsoft has now revealed the plan and pricing details for both SKUs – Business and Enterprise (both went live on August 2). Windows 365 pricing is totally based on per-user per-month criteria, and on the hardware specifications, you want to have on your cloud PC.
For, Business customers the cheapest Windows 365 plan will cost $24.00 per user/month for one CPU, 2GB of RAM, 64GB of storage, customers will get a $4 discount if they have Windows Hybrid Benefit reducing the price to $20.00 per user/month. Similarly, the highest-tier plan will cost $158 per user/month ($162 without the discount) for 8 CPUs, 32GB of RAM, and 512GB of storage.
Now for, Enterprise customers the cheapest Windows 365 plan will cost $20.00 per user/month for one CPU, 2GB of RAM, 64GB of storage. Similarly, the highest-tier plan will cost $158 per user/month for 8 CPUs, 32GB of RAM, and 512GB of storage.
To view a full list of plans and pricing visit Microsoft’s website.
Original Article: Windows 365, a new paid subscription service announced at the Microsoft Inspire conference, puts Windows in the cloud which could be accessed from anywhere. Dubbed as a Cloud PC, Microsoft describes it as an easy-to-use virtual machine that helps the user to get into its own Windows 10 or upcoming Windows 11 installation on any device which could be Mac, iPad, Linux device, Android tablet, or even mobile phones (but not officially).
Windows 365 installations will be configurable with up to eight virtual CPUs, 16GB of RAM, and 512GB of storage during its initial launch. Scott Manchester, the director of Program Management told that “Microsoft is finding ways to bring in dedicated GPU power for more demanding users.”
Accessing the apps and browsing the web didn’t seem that different than a local PC in the brief demo of Windows 365. Manchester also claimed that it’s fast enough to stream video without any noticeable artifacts. Another feature that comes to the list is that one will be able to get back Cloud PC to previous states, which could be proved as helpful if important files have been deleted accidentally.
Microsoft was working on the idea of Windows 365 before the pandemic and spent the last year learning first-hand how useful a Cloud PC could be. And came up with a tool meant for hybrid work that easily switches between working in an office or remotely at home during the pandemic.
The popular question that prevailed was that why Windows 365 is developed when Azure Virtual Desktop already exists, in context Manchester clarified that Microsoft noticed a whopping 80 percent of AVD customers were relying on third-party vendors to help manage their installations and also added, “Ultimately, they were looking for Microsoft to be a one-stop-shop for them to get all the services they need to”.
Virtualizing operating systems have been useful but at the same time difficult to manage. And Azure Virtual Desktop was not an exception which encouraged the idea of Windows 365.
Windows 365 could be life-changing for IT departments and small businesses which could help in managing local Windows installations on pricey notebooks. Rather than taking a work device home, every Windows 365 user can securely operate their virtual desktops from their home PCs or tablets via the web or Microsoft’s Remote Desktop app.
So-called Cloud PC can be accessed with the domain Windows365.com after it will be launched on August 2nd. The cost of the service has not been announced yet, but Microsoft claimed that they’ll reveal it on August 1st. It will be available in two SKUs – Windows 365 Business and Windows 365 Enterprise.