Which Microsoft service provides cloud-based Windows PCs on Azure?

Windows 365 is Microsoft's service for providing cloud-based Windows PCs hosted on Azure. Instead of tying the Windows desktop entirely to one physical computer, it lets users access a personal Cloud PC from supported devices and locations.

Microsoft introduced Windows 365 in July 2021 as a cloud PC service aimed at organizations and workers needing flexible, centrally managed desktops. A user's apps, settings, and data are associated with their Cloud PC, allowing a familiar Windows environment to be streamed through the internet. The service is delivered as a subscription rather than as a traditional standalone Windows license.

Windows 365 is often confused with Azure Virtual Desktop, formerly called Windows Virtual Desktop. Both use Azure virtualization technology, but they are different offerings. Azure Virtual Desktop provides a more customizable virtual desktop infrastructure, while Windows 365 is designed to give each user a simpler, managed Cloud PC. Windows Server is also different: it is a server operating system, not the name of Microsoft's personal cloud-PC service.