Microsoft 365 and Windows 365 are two names that you keep hearing these days. Both of them refer to a bundle of services designed to help businesses operate more efficiently, securely, and at reduced overhead costs.
While both programs offer their users the ability to access their applications from any device, the ability to store files in the cloud, and both offer powerful features, but there are some key differences.
Both products have advantages, features, and services offered based on the user’s needs, and understanding the differences between them will help you decide which one is best for your business.
What is Microsoft 365?
Microsoft 365 is a bundle of software and services designed to help businesses operate more efficiently, securely, and cost-effectively. It includes the Microsoft Office 365 productivity suite, which is a set of cloud-based productivity apps along with a suite of business-grade online services.
It also includes security solutions such as Azure Advanced Threat Protection (ATP) and Windows Defender.
Features of M365:
Microsoft 365 offers a number of applications, tools, and features for users, such as its productivity suite, advanced security solutions, and collaboration and communication apps.
These include:
- Word
- PowerPoint
- Excel
- Outlook
- Teams
- SharePoint
- OneDrive
- Forms
- Power Apps
- Power Automate
- Azure
- Advanced Threat Protection
- Microsoft Defender
- And many more
The features and apps available to you and your organization will vary depending on the subscription service plan you choose.
What is Windows 365?
Windows 365 is a cloud-based operating system (OS) designed to run on modern devices such as PCs and mobile phones. It functions as a cloud PC – a type of computer that runs completely in the cloud, meaning it can be accessed from any device with an internet connection.
This is a powerful cloud-based operating system designed for businesses of all sizes. It allows you to run your operations from a cloud-based platform, rather than providing only the OS and Microsoft’s productivity applications.
Windows 365 has been called a desktop-as-a-service (DaaS), while Microsoft has labeled it as your PC in the cloud. It is a subscription-based service, offering unlimited accessibility to users for a monthly fee. This differentiates Windows 365 from Azure Virtual Desktop (AVD) as the latter charges organizations based on their usage.
Microsoft’s DaaS solution can also stream to numerous different devices – not just Windows. This includes Android, Mac, and iOS, via the remote desktop app, or the HTML 5 web client.
Benefits of Windows 365
With its modern workplace tools and cloud-based solutions, Windows 365 enables businesses to work smarter, faster, and more efficiently.
Security: built-in security features like advanced encryption, threat detection, password protection, and two-factor authentication will keep your networks and data safe from malicious attacks.
Scalability: scale up or down as needed, ensuring that your system is perfectly tailored to your business’s size and needs. This means you can add or remove users and access more resources as required.
Reliability: cloud-based infrastructure allows your users to access their data anytime, anywhere – no more worrying about hardware failure or data loss.
Cost-effective: the cloud-based system has low up-front costs, no maintenance costs, and no need to buy extra hardware or software.
Difference to Windows 11 Virtual Desktop
Another service offered by Microsoft that should be mentioned here is Windows Virtual Desktop, which bears some similarities to Windows 365.
Windows 11 Virtual Desktop (VD) is a more specialized solution than Windows 365. It is hosted on Microsoft Azure as a cloud-based desktop and app virtualization service. Windows VD provides access to the same Windows OS, but it also enables you to create virtual machines, allowing you to run applications that aren’t compatible with your organization’s network. You can also use it to securely access and manage resources in the cloud.
Windows 365, on the other hand, is more of an all-in-one solution, offering access to a range of apps such as Office 365, Exchange, SharePoint, and OneDrive. It also allows you to connect to your organization’s network, making it easier to collaborate with colleagues.
Find the right service for your business with expert assistance
Both Microsoft 365 and Windows 365 are powerful tools businesses of different sizes can use to help them get more out of their IT investments. Whether you need an affordable, reliable solution to keep your business running smoothly, or you need the capability to manage your business from anywhere, these programs can help you do just that.
The Microsoft specialists at Technology Solutions will help you choose the service subscriptions that suit your business needs, and will empower your people to work more efficiently, productively, and securely. Talk to them today and modernize your workspace with Microsoft.
