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ZDNET’s key takeaways
- Windows 365 Cloud PC enables you to run Windows 11 across any device — whether it’s a PC, Mac, iPad, or phone.
- It operates on a subscription model, though the pricing remains fairly steep.
- The biggest advantage: you never have to worry about fixing or replacing hardware.
My latest PC is the slimmest and most lightweight one I’ve ever owned. It’s barely a pixel thick, weighs next to nothing, and delivers enough power to handle a full day’s work without ever needing to be plugged in.
I’m referring, of course, to my new Windows 365 Cloud PC. It’s a subscription service that Microsoft is currently discounting by 20%, and I’m midway through my one-month trial. I’ve been testing this Cloud PC on every device I could get my hands on — multiple PCs, a MacBook, a five-year-old iPad, and even a Samsung phone. Here’s what it looks like, running inside a Google Chrome tab on a Windows PC.
This Windows 365 Cloud PC is running within a tab in the Google Chrome browser.
Screenshot by Ed Bott/ZDNET
So who actually needs a Cloud PC? What’s the experience really like? What’s the price tag? And most critically, does that monthly cost justify itself? I’ve got all the answers for you right here.
What exactly is a Cloud PC?
A Windows 365 Cloud PC is a Windows machine that runs in Microsoft’s data centers. Unlike the older Azure Virtual Desktop, Windows 365 provides a fixed, per-user virtual PC with dedicated resources — CPU, memory, and storage — running Windows 11 Enterprise.
Also: My new favorite Windows app made my PC safer and more reliable — and it’s free
The Cloud PC I’m testing comes with 2 virtual CPUs, 8 GB of RAM, and 128 GB of storage. You can connect through any web browser, or you can opt for the dedicated Windows app, which works on Windows, MacOS, Android, and iOS.
The Windows App (formerly called Remote Desktop) can authenticate to a cloud-based virtual PC using Windows Hello.
Screenshot by Ed Bott/ZDNET
Sign in to the app using your work or school account (keep in mind, personal accounts aren’t supported), and your assigned Cloud PC appears in the app or browser window, ready to go.
If the Windows app looks familiar, you may have encountered it previously under its former name — Remote Desktop. This updated version is built on the WinUI3 framework and is straightforward to set up. Just sign in with the credentials linked to your device, and no extra configuration is needed.
How straightforward is the setup process?
That depends on your comfort level with Microsoft 365 administration tools. If you already have a Microsoft 365 Business or Enterprise account, simply head to Windows365.com and sign in as an administrator to start a trial. It uses the same Microsoft Entra ID credentials tied to that account.
Also: How to check your Windows PC for expiring security certificates — a major one expires in June
If you don’t have a Microsoft 365 account, you’ll need to create a business account with Microsoft first; you can then optionally link a custom domain to it. The Microsoft admin interface may seem a bit overwhelming at first, but it’s manageable once you get the hang of it.
The one-month trial supports up to 25 users. (A paid plan can scale to 300 users.) You do need to provide a credit card, and the subscription will auto-renew after the trial period unless you cancel before the first month ends.
The first month of a Windows 365 subscription is free, but your credit card will be charged once the trial ends if you don’t cancel.
Screenshot by Ed Bott/ZDNET
How easy is it to use day-to-day?
You can connect to your cloud PC from virtually anywhere — either through a web browser or via the dedicated Windows app.
I found the experience to be nearly identical on both a Windows PC and a Mac, where the keyboard and mouse (and touchscreen on the Windows PC) all worked exactly as you’d expect. A nice touch was that I could sign in on my Windows PC using Windows Hello rather than having to type in my credentials by hand.
On an iPad, the touchscreen experience was cumbersome. You have to drag the Windows mouse pointer to your desired location and then tap the screen to “click” the remote mouse pointer. The experience improved dramatically after I paired a Bluetooth keyboard and mouse with the iPad, and I’d strongly recommend using it that way rather than relying on touch alone.
Also: How to upgrade your ‘incompatible’ Windows 10 PC to Windows 11 — for free
I was able to install the Android version of the Windows app on a Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra, but navigating the Cloud PC on that tiny display was impractical. That said, with a USB-C or Bluetooth connection to an external monitor plus a Bluetooth keyboard and mouse, this setup would serve perfectly well as a remote PC. (I didn’t test this configuration with an iPhone, but I’d expect similar results.)
When using a browser as the host, you can also expand the Cloud PC session to full screen, with a small toolbar at the top for managing the session. You can toggle that toolbar on and off as needed.
You can access local resources — such as a webcam, microphone, printers, and the host PC’s clipboard — from within the Cloud PC. As a test, I joined a Google Chat video call from a Cloud PC session on an iPad while someone on a standard Windows 11 PC was on the other end. Both audio and video quality were excellent, with zero noticeable lag.
The best part? When I closed the app or browser window, all my work remained exactly where I left it, and upon signing back in, I could pick up right where I’d been.
How’s the performance?
I was initially taken aback by how long the first remote session took to load — I timed it at just over two and a half minutes. However, reconnecting to a previously active session was far quicker, taking roughly 10 seconds.
Also: Yes, you can get Microsoft 365 free — here’s how
In everyday use, the Cloud PC feels nearly identical to running a local PC with comparable resources. The biggest bottleneck came down to the limited RAM on the Cloud PC. At8 GB, I ran into occasional memory pressure, which is something you’d expect even on a typical physical PC.
Office apps performed just as fluidly as they do on my local PC and Mac, and YouTube videos and music streamed smoothly, with no visible video or audio glitches.
How much does it cost?
The current promotions reduce the price of the Cloud PC for the first year. The free trial sets up a machine with 2 vCPU, GB RAM, and 28.80 storage, which usually costs $36 per month, plus sales tax if it applies. After the trial period ends, the special discount pricing kicks in, lowering the monthly cost to $28.80 (month-to-month) or $27.72 with an annual subscription.
Grabbing a more powerful PC bumps up the price significantly. For instance, to get 16 GB of RAM, the cheapest setup has 4 vCPUs and 256 GB of storage, priced at $50.56 per month ($47.78 annually). After the promo runs out, the cost climbs to $63.20 monthly.
Prices can soar to steep levels if you pile on resources. The most expensive setup I found includes 16 vCPUs, 64 GB of RAM, and 1 TB of storage. You’ll pay $192.93 monthly for the first year, then the rate jumps to $241.16 per month. Ouch.
And no, those prices don’t include the desktop versions of Office apps or OneDrive storage. You’ll need a separate Microsoft 365 subscription for those.
Check the full Windows 365 Cloud PC pricing for US customers right here: Windows 365 Business Plans and Pricing.
These rates apply to Windows 365 Business licenses, which let you add up to 300 accounts. Windows 365 Enterprise comes with its own pricing and rules.
Who really needs this?
If you have Windows 10 PCs that can’t run Windows 11, this is an expensive way to extend their life for a few more years. A Windows 365 subscription bundles Extended Security Updates for Windows 10 through October 2028 at no extra charge.
For businesses with hybrid or remote teams, this could be a great option. Instead of purchasing, setting up, and maintaining work PCs for staff, you can simply offer them a Cloud PC subscription, allowing them to use any personal device they like, including Macs and iPads.
IT teams can manage everything via Intune policies, without worrying about lost or stolen devices, or having to fix or swap out broken or damaged PCs. In regulated fields where company data must stay in the cloud, not on local devices, this is particularly appealing.
A Cloud PC also simplifies things for remote employees, who no longer have to handle two laptops to separate work and personal activities. They can leave their work open on the remote PC and return to it easily without having to relaunch a bunch of apps or reopen files.
Also: I tested the Surface Pro with 5G, and it’s Microsoft’s most complete business 2-in-1 yet
Of course, the major downside is the price. Once the discounts expire, my basic setup will run $432 per year, and a higher-end virtual PC could reach $758.40 annually. Is it worth it? It’s definitely pricier than buying a comparable physical PC. Ultimately, it comes down to how much you value the lower maintenance and the convenience of never having to swap or fix a company PC.
Basically, everything hinges on having a stable, fast, low-latency internet connection. If you regularly need to work offline, this setup won’t suit you.
