Introduction

Windows 365 is a Cloud PC service, which originally provided only virtualized Windows instances for end users.

With Windows 365 Cloud Apps - a new feature is now included: App Virtualization. With that, single app instances can be virtualized through Windows 365, without the need to run a full Windows experience. Let's dive into it!

How it works

Windows 365 Cloud Apps can be configured through Intune. All you need is your (custom) image with the preinstalled apps, which should be made accessible for users. During the setup, you can select the available apps found on the image and select to publish. End users will be able to launch apps through Windows App.

Under the hood, a Cloud PC is provisioned, but it cannot be accessed at the operating system level. All configurations at the Windows level (Settings Catalog) that are applied to the Cloud PC also apply to the Cloud PC. Particularly relevant are:

• Security baseline configuration
• Session Timeout
• Redirection Settings (Clipboard, Audio & Video Playback, Drive)

Use Cases

• Avoid complex app installations: provide an app from one central place, instead of installing the software on each client PC
• Dedicated spaces: Only a single app needs to be running for a task
• BYOD / External Employees: No installation of local software necessary
• Security Environments: Isolated app zones for sensitive data

Prerequisites

• Windows 365 Frontline License
• Windows 11 Image (to provide the App Catalog)
• Intune Administrator Role for configuration
  • Intune Provisioning Policy for Cloud Apps

Setup & configuration

1. In Intune create a Windows 365 Provisioning Policy
2. Select App Experience and it will automatically choose Frontline Shared licenses
3. Configure join type, network and hosting geography
4. Chose a gallery image or your own image
5. Select the desired apps to publish (only the ones recognized from the image will be shown)
6. Select your language
7. Apply naming template for the Cloud PC
8. Assign a group and license allocation

After the Cloud PC was provisioned (takes around 30 minutes) you can start to publish the apps:

User Experience

The end user (member of the license assignment group) will se the published apps in either Windows App or the browser portal. The initial launch of an app takes a few seconds, but after once connected you can open other apps instantly.

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OceanleafNiklas Tinner