Windows 365, Microsoft’s new business-oriented service for using Windows 10 or Windows 11 through a browser, is now commercially available.
This cloud-based service can be purchased at rates starting at $20 to $162 per user per month.
In previous public statements, when Microsoft made references to this project, it was defined as a tool for companies to have instant access to their work computers, whether they are in hybrid or remote work regimes.
As of this week, Windows 365 is already available for subscription. The rates vary according to the category of the company, if it has 300 employees or less it is categorized as small or medium; while if it exceeds that figure, they fall into the Enterprise category. Within each category, the server offerings provide a wide range of prices, defined according to the power of each virtual server.
For small and medium-sized businesses, a cloud PC with a virtual processor, 2GB of RAM, and 64GB of storage can be obtained for $20 per user per month if it is eligible for the Windows Hybrid Advantage, a discount offered to those with an active Windows 10 Pro license. The standard subscription to the same server is priced at $23 per user per month.
Gradually, the prices increase as the computers on offer become more feature-rich. A virtual computer with 8 virtual processors, 32GB of RAM, and 512GB of storage costs $162 per user per month.
A slightly lower price scale applies for users of the Enterprise plan, but a license for Windows 10 Enterprise or Windows 11 Enterprise, Microsoft Endpoint Manager, and Azure Active Directory P1 is a requirement.
A cloud-based computer offers certain advantages, such as the eradication of periodic maintenance needs and the protection of all information and settings from theft or other material damage or loss.
Although in the long run, paying for a subscription could prove to be even more expensive than a computer, it could be a more practical solution for companies than shipping a computer for remote work. Instead, login credentials for a cloud-based PC would suffice.
As an introduction to how it works, Microsoft presented the main aspects of Windows 365 in a video released after its launch. If you want to know more details about this service and its full pricing table, you can find them at Windows365.com.
