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What is Windows 365?

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Windows 365 is a cloud-based service that automatically creates a new type of Windows virtual machine (Cloud PCs) for your end users. Each Cloud PC is assigned to an individual user and is their dedicated Windows device. Windows 365 provides the productivity, security, and collaboration benefits of Microsoft 365.

Windows 365 is available in multiple editions:

  • Windows 365 Business is made specifically for use in smaller companies (up to 300 seats) who want ready-to-use Cloud PCs with simple management options. For more information, see Getting started with Windows 365 Business and Cloud PCs.
  • Windows 365 Enterprise is for larger companies who want unlimited seats for creating Cloud PCs. It includes options to create custom Cloud PCs based on device images that you create, more management options, and full integration with Microsoft Intune. For more information, see What is Windows 365 Enterprise?.
  • Windows 365 Government is a service that spans across a regulated US Government Community Cloud (GCC) and a public facing cloud. For more information, see What is Windows 365 Government?
  • Windows 365 Frontline helps organizations save costs by providing a single license to provision up to three Cloud PCs for non-concurrent use. These are meant for cases where the user needs Cloud PC access for a limited time per day. For more information, see What is Windows 365 Frontline?

To learn about the differences between the Business and Enterprise versions, see Compare Windows 365 Business and Enterprise.

What is a Cloud PC?

A Cloud PC is a highly available, optimized, and scalable virtual machine providing end users with a rich Windows desktop experience. It’s hosted in the Windows 365 service and is accessible from anywhere, on any device.

End users have a 1:1 relationship with their Cloud PC. It’s their own personal PC in the cloud. Users can connect to their Cloud PC by using windows365.microsoft.com. Browser and app-based access is available for Windows, Mac, iOS, and Android devices.

Creating a Cloud PC

Cloud PCs are created automatically by the Windows 365 service when an end user in an appropriate Microsoft Entra user group is assigned a Windows 365 license.

Admins don't manually create Cloud PCs.

Licensing and how to buy

Before your users can gain access to a Cloud PC, you must purchase Windows 365 licenses. Customers can purchase Windows 365 as a separate license per user for a fixed monthly fee to access and use Cloud PCs. Additional costs may apply based on network usage. After licenses are purchased, you can create provisioning policies to automatically create Cloud PCs for users.

For more information, see Windows 365 Licensing and Windows 365 plans and pricing.

Billing

Cloud PCs are billed in a per-user per-month cost model. This model means your organization doesn’t have to manage the variability of compute and storage costs of a traditional hosted desktop model.

Microsoft 365 Lighthouse

Managed Server Providers (MSPs) can manage Cloud PCs in Microsoft 365 Lighthouse for their customer tenants. For more information, see Windows 365 (Cloud PCs) page overview.

Next steps

Learn more about Windows 365 Business.

Learn more about Windows 365 Enterprise.

Read the Windows 365 service description.