Table of Contents
Summary
- New capabilities in Windows 365 enhance flexibility, security, and introduce AI-powered features for Cloud PCs.
- Key updates include support for external identities, Windows 365 Reserve, and User Experience Sync, all now generally available.
- AI-enabled Cloud PCs and Cloud Apps offer improved user experiences and streamlined setups.
- Updates roll out automatically but won’t alter existing configurations unless enabled by the organization.
- Preparation actions include reviewing documentation, validating prerequisites, and informing IT helpdesk of potential user experience changes.
Admin Impact: Low
User Impact: Low
Release Start: 25 Nov 2025
Release End: 25 Nov 2025
Services: Windows 365
Category: Stay informed
Tags: User Adoption, Admin Action
History
11/24/2025 Item Added to Message Center
Microsoft Message
As part of Microsoft Ignite 2025, we announced several new capabilities now available in Windows 365. These updates expand flexibility, improve security, and introduce new AI-powered Windows experiences for Cloud PCs.
How will this affect your organization
Releases roll out gradually over several weeks and may not appear for all customers at the same time. The updates listed below are becoming available in Windows 365; availability will vary depending on your organization’s configuration, licensing, and region.
- Support for external identities (GA): You can now provision Cloud PCs for external identities using the same provisioning flow you use today for Enterprise and Frontline.
- Windows 365 Reserve (GA): Windows 365 Reserve is designed for users who primarily work on physical PCs and need temporary Cloud PC access. It gives organizations a flexible way to keep employees productive during unexpected disruptions by providing quick, secure access to a Cloud PC when needed.
- Windows 365 Cloud Apps (GA): Now generally available and includes support for publishing Intune apps as Cloud Apps through Autopilot Device Preparation (preview).
- User Experience Sync (GA): Saves user settings and app data across sessions to deliver a consistent experience, especially for shared, occasional-use, or Cloud App environments.
- Windows Cloud Keyboard Input Protection (Preview): Encrypts keystrokes at the kernel level to help protect against keyloggers and improve endpoint security for Windows 365 and Azure Virtual Desktop.
- AI-enabled Cloud PCs (Frontier Public Preview): Provides eligible users with new Windows AI capabilities, including improved Windows Search and Click to Do.
- Autopilot device preparation for Cloud PCs: Autopilot device preparation can now be linked with Windows 365 Enterprise and Frontline Cloud PCs in dedicated mode for a more streamlined setup experience.
These updates will roll out automatically and will not change existing Cloud PC configurations unless you choose to enable the new capabilities.
What you need to do to prepare
No action is required unless you plan to adopt these new capabilities. If so:
- Review documentation for configuration steps, licensing requirements, and supported scenarios.
- Validate prerequisites for AI-enabled Cloud PCs, Cloud Apps, and external identity provisioning.
- Inform your helpdesk about potential changes to user experience when enabling User Experience Sync, Cloud Apps, or AI features.
- If adopting Windows 365 Reserve, incorporate it into your organization’s business continuity planning.
Additional Information:
- External identities
- Windows 365 Reserve
- Windows 365 Cloud Apps
- User Experience Sync
- Windows Cloud Input Protection
- AI-enabled Cloud PCs
- Autopilot device preparation with Cloud PCs