Which Virtual Desktop Solution is Best for Your IT Team?
Determining whether Azure Virtual Desktop or Windows 365 is best for your organization is not a simple feat. With Windows 365 turning four years old this August, it is getting more attention from Microsoft than ever, including CEO Satya Nadella mentioning it keynote speeches. Yet, despite all the attention on Cloud PCs, Azure Virtual Desktop (AVD) continues to see steady growth among enterprises.
So, let’s explore whether Azure Virtual Desktop over Windows 365 is right for you.
Key Differences Between Azure Virtual Desktop and Windows 365
While both AVD and Windows 365 are Desktop as a Service (DaaS) platforms, they differ in some fundamental ways.
Desktop Specifications & Custom Images
With Windows 365 Cloud PCs, similar to AVD, you can use custom images. However, you must select your desktop specifications from a limited set of options – a more “à la carte” style. In contrast, AVD gives administrators a wider range of configurations and more granular control over each virtual machine.
Administration & Management
Windows 365 is managed entirely through Intune. While you can perform certain tasks and manage Cloud PCs, you have fewer options for dynamically updating configurations. AVD is managed through Azure Resource Manager (ARM), offering extensive tools to elastically scale desktops, power cycle machines, and swap disks.
Persistent vs Non-Persistent
Windows 365 Cloud PCs are persistent by design. If an update goes wrong, you may have to roll back to a previous restore point, which can be problematic if your organization frequently rotates passwords – which organizations really should be doing. AVD can be configured as non-persistent, offering advantages like simpler rollback and cleaner desktop images. That said, non-persistent desktops introduce management complexity, requiring a strategy to manage and roam user profiles and application settings.
Application Delivery
Windows 365 does not support RemoteApp (since it relies solely on Intune), and Intune lacks a native package type for App-V, which is still common in many enterprises. Legacy package types such as MSI and EXE that are commonly deployed with Intune can be slow to deliver and have a relatively high failure rate. AVD supports App attach, allowing you to bring your existing App-V packages and other package types – like Numecent’s best-in-class Cloudpaging application containers – to modernize application management with speed and reliability.
The Case for Windows 365
At first glance, it might seem that AVD’s flexibility makes it the clear winner. But Windows 365’s design choices are intentional:
Simplicity and Familiarity
Windows 365 Cloud PCs are designed to mimic a traditional PC experience, just hosted in the cloud. That means a dedicated persistent disk that is patched and updated similarly to a physical endpoint.
Easy Onboarding
Cloud PCs can be provisioned in just a few clicks, making them an attractive option for admins who aren’t experts in virtual desktop technology.
Existing Tooling
Since Windows 365 is managed through Intune, any organization already invested in Intune can manage Cloud PCs using the same console and processes they use for physical devices. There’s no need to build an entirely new infrastructure or skill set.
Choosing the Right Solution: Azure Virtual Desktop or Windows 365?
So, how do you decide whether AVD or Windows 365 is best for you?
Small to Medium Businesses
Windows 365 is a strong contender if you have limited IT resources or prefer a straightforward approach. You can manage your Cloud PCs using existing tools and knowledge, reducing the need for specialized Azure expertise.
Large Enterprises
You might adopt a hybrid approach, using both Cloud PCs for certain employees and AVD for others. AVD’s level of control and flexibility can be invaluable in complex environments, where non-persistent desktops and advanced configuration options are critical. With AVD’s more granular set of controls and non-persistent multi-session offerings, IT teams can optimize for costs in a way that Windows 365 users cannot. Larger IT teams often have the personnel to handle AVD’s more advanced features, making it easier to optimize resources and performance to suit your requirements.
Modernizing Desktop Management for all Windows Desktops
Regardless of which platform you choose, it’s crucial to modernize how you manage your desktops:
Rethink Persistence
Even with persistent desktops, consider a “stateless” mindset. In other words, don’t become fully dependent on that persistence. When unexpected incidents occur – like a problematic update – a non-persistent or semi-persistent model makes rolling back much simpler.
Streamline Application Management
Look at modern application delivery methods, whether you’re on AVD or Windows 365. Solutions like Numecent’s Cloudpaging can containerize apps, ensuring compatibility, consistent performance, and easier updates. Numecent Cloudpager (our container management platform) can transform application updates making them low risk and help eliminate the most common challenges faced with Windows applications.
Improve Employee Experience
When moving to cloud-based desktops, take the opportunity to enhance the digital employee experience. Introduce more efficient patching, faster app delivery, and a more reliable consistent desktop for all.
Want to Explore Azure Virtual Desktop or Windows 365 with an Expert?
Evaluating AVD and Windows 365 doesn’t have to be an either/or decision. Evaluate the specific needs of your organization, your IT skill sets, and your overall strategy for managing and delivering applications. To speak to a Windows expert and see how Numecent solutions can streamline and enhance your desktop and application management capabilities, contact us using the form below: