Search for a command to run...
VDI professional with 6+ years of hands-on experience across Citrix, Windows 365, and Azure Virtual Desktop. Passionate about exploring emerging technologies, I share practical, real-world insights, step-by-step guides, and troubleshooting tips on Modern Workplace technologies.
No comments yet. Be the first to comment.
Microsoft has announced that after March 31, 2026, any newly created Virtual Network will not have implicit Default Outbound Access enabled. Microsoft now recommends managing outbound traffic explicitly. What is Default Outbound Access? Default Outbo...
Microsoft Windows 365 provides multiple licensing options to address different workforce scenarios. The most commonly used models are Windows 365 Business, Windows 365 Enterprise, and Windows 365 Frontline. Windows 365 Business and Enterprise Windows...
Azure Virtual Desktop (AVD), previously known as Windows Virtual Desktop, is Microsoft’s platform for delivering virtualized desktops and applications. With AVD, organizations can publish individual applications using RemoteApp or provide users with a complete virtual desktop experience.
Windows 365 takes a different approach. It is a SaaS-based desktop solution that integrates directly with Microsoft Intune. The goal of Windows 365 is to simplify virtual desktop delivery by reducing infrastructure design, operational overhead, and ongoing management effort for IT teams.
Both solutions address similar use cases but are built on very different models. Choosing between them depends on how much control, flexibility, and operational responsibility a business wants to take on.
Azure Virtual Desktop offers organizations full control over how their virtual desktop environment is designed and operated. Depending on business needs, AVD can be configured to deliver only specific applications or full desktops, using either persistent or non-persistent session hosts.
A key capability of AVD is support for Windows 10 and Windows 11 multi-session, which is available exclusively in Azure. Multi-session allows multiple users to connect to a single Windows client virtual machine, helping organizations reduce costs while maintaining a familiar end-user experience.
This capability is particularly useful for application virtualization scenarios, where multiple users need access to the same set of client-based applications.
High level of control over infrastructure and configuration
Flexible design aligned with specific business requirements
Support for persistent and non-persistent desktops
Ability to leverage Windows 10/11 multi-session for better cost efficiency
Larger deployments can become complex to design and manage
Cost optimization depends heavily on correct scaling and capacity planning
Windows 365 is a SaaS VDI solution where desktops referred to as Cloud PCs are provisioned and managed through Microsoft Intune. Unlike AVD, Windows 365 focuses on simplicity and consistency rather than infrastructure customization.
There are two main deployment approaches:
Microsoft-hosted configuration
Uses standard marketplace images
Networking and infrastructure are fully managed by Microsoft
Customer-managed networking configuration
Allows the use of custom images
Azure virtual networks and subnets are managed by the customer
In both cases, the Cloud PC itself runs on Azure infrastructure hosted within Microsoft-managed Azure subscriptions. As a result, administrators do not have direct access to the underlying virtual machines through the Azure portal. Instead, all management actions such as restart, reprovision, and monitoring are performed via the Intune admin center.
Cloud PCs are typically created by assigning a Windows 365 license to a user. Licensing follows a fixed, per-user monthly pricing model, making cost forecasting straightforward.
Microsoft continues to expand the Windows 365 ecosystem with features such as:
Frontline editions for shift-based workers
Windows 365 Cloud Apps
Windows 365 Link devices designed for Cloud PC access
These capabilities open up additional use cases that are worth exploring separately.
Simplified deployment and administration
Rapid provisioning of Cloud PCs
Predictable and transparent pricing
Reduced flexibility compared to Azure Virtual Desktop
Limited visibility and control over the underlying infrastructure
Azure Virtual Desktop and Windows 365 are both powerful solutions, but they are designed with different priorities in mind. AVD is best suited for organizations that require maximum flexibility and control, while Windows 365 is ideal for those looking for simplicity, speed, and predictable costs.
Understanding the customer’s requirements such as scalability, management overhead, and cost model is the key factor in selecting the right solution