Microsoft's Windows 365 Cloud Apps Available in Public Preview
Microsoft has announced that its Windows 365 Cloud Apps are now available in public preview. This allows IT administrators to stream individual Windows applications from the cloud, removing the need to assign Cloud PCs to every user.
Helping organizations simplify operational resources in an efficient way is the main aim. Serena Zheng from Microsoft mentioned in a blog post, "Windows 365 Cloud Apps allow administrators to give users access to specific apps delivered from the cloud instead of a full Cloud PC," ideal for organizations that want to modernize virtual desktop infrastructures (VDI) environments, streamline app delivery and reduce overhead.
A single Cloud PC license will allow multiple users to access apps individually, with Cloud Apps running on Windows 365 Frontline in shared mode. This replaces the need to provide a full desktop environment for each user. With this model, Microsoft aims to improve how workforces with different or fluctuating access needs operate, such as industries like government, retail, or healthcare, while ensuring that they're not over-provisioned.
In terms of user experience, improvements since the private preview include the automatic launch of OneDrive and a new filter in the Windows App interface to help users more easily find cloud-delivered apps. On the administrative side, there are still limitations: custom line-of-business apps currently require custom images to be created in order to be delivered as Cloud Apps. Microsoft has said it plans to streamline this through Intune, allowing IT to publish custom apps as Cloud Apps more directly, with tighter integration into Intune and Autopilot workflows. For IT, management tasks are handled through Microsoft Intune, and identity and access are governed by Microsoft Entra ID.
The Cloud Apps preview introduces a streamlined option for delivering applications without the overhead of full virtual desktop environments. For IT teams, this model could simplify app distribution, lower infrastructure demands, and reduce the operational complexity of managing traditional desktops. That said, the current requirement for custom images when deploying business applications remains a barrier for some, especially in the absence of broader image management support. The shared mode configuration also limits simultaneous usage, which may not align with every organizations needs.
Organizations interested in trying the public preview will need Windows 365 Frontline licenses, with Cloud Apps configured to run in shared mode. For more info on getting started, go to the Microsoft site here.