As business technology continues to evolve, the need for flexible, secure, and scalable End-User Computing (EUC) solutions has never been greater. Windows 365 Cloud PC (CPC) and Azure Virtual Desktop (AVD) are two leading options that help organizations streamline operations while supporting remote and hybrid workforces.

The key to a smooth transition is understanding each platform’s strengths, how it aligns with your needs, and its cost implications. Whether you’re considering CPC or AVD, planning out the details on the front end can help ensure a seamless migration.

While both CPC and AVD offer Desktop-as-a-Service (DaaS) solutions, they cater to different business needs and IT environments.

• W365 Cloud PC provides a virtual desktop for each user. It operates much like a traditional PC, offering consistent user experience and simplified management through a fully managed Microsoft service. Deployment models consist of Frontline, up to three users per CPC license, and a newly announced “Shared” model, which follow’s a non-persistent flow, sharing the same CPC Desktop with multiple users.
• Azure Virtual Desktop delivers a more flexible, virtual app and desktop experience. It supports multi-session app servers and desktops, giving organizations more control over resources and allowing for dynamic scalability based on user demand.

Key Differences When Considering Migration

1. Management & Deployment

W365 Cloud PC is ideal for businesses looking for a straightforward migration process with minimal IT management. Microsoft handles most of the backend infrastructure, making it easier to transition without deep technical expertise. W365 CPC allows for two networking deployment options; Microsoft-hosted Network and Azure Network Connection (ANC) dependent if direct integration with existing resources is a critical design consideration.

AVD offers greater flexibility and customization but requires more hands-on management. IT teams need to be familiar with Azure infrastructure design and build practices and Virtual App and Desktop deployment practices to ensure a smooth migration. While CPC offers a Disaster Recovery Add-On for 5$ a month ensuring the persistent desktop is replicated to an alternate region as a service, AVD on the flip side requires a landing zone build for the alternate region, and associated design and build efforts to accomplish the same goal. 

2. Cost Considerations

W365 Cloud PC uses a fixed, per-user pricing model, simplifying budgeting and forecasting for organizations with predictable workforce needs.

AVD operates on a pay-as-you-go model, which can be more cost-effective for businesses with fluctuating workloads but requires regular monitoring to avoid unexpected expenses. One or three-year reserved instances can be purchased to provide discounted Azure Compute for workloads that warrant this. 

3. User Experience & Use Cases

W365 Cloud PC is perfect for businesses needing a consistent, persistent desktop experience for each user, mirroring the familiarity of a traditional PC. For call centers or shared workspace environments, Frontline licensing is offered enabling 3 users with the associated dedicated desktops per One CPC license. Just released, Frontline Shared provides a shared non-persistent experience, allowing multiple users to have access to the same CPC, with the caveat of one user using it concurrently. CPC SKUs are fixed and provide limited flexibility. 

AVD excels in scenarios where flexibility is key, such as supporting temporary workers, development environments, or situations where multiple users can share resources efficiently. AVD also offers the ability to provide both a Desktop and App experience for Server OS, and Windows 10/11 Multi-Session. 

Backup and Disaster Recovery for Azure Virtual Desktop and Windows 365 Cloud PC

When implementing virtual desktop environments, it’s important to have a clear backup and disaster recovery (DR) plan in place. Both W365 Cloud PC and AVD offer built-in features to support business continuity, but the approach to backup and recovery is different.

Windows 365 Cloud PC Backup and Restore

Windows 365 Cloud PC simplifies disaster recovery through its built-in restore point feature. Admins can configure up to 10 restore points per Cloud PC, with intervals set at 4, 6, 12, 16, or 24 hours.

As new restore points are created, older ones are automatically replaced, ensuring systems are consistently backed up and ready for quick recovery when needed. In addition to built-in restore points, for a $5 a month add-on, cross regional replication to a secondary region can be turned on with a single check box! This built-in functionality makes disaster recovery straightforward, reducing the need for complex backup configurations.

AVD and Disaster Recovery

With Azure Virtual Desktop, organizations can design customized disaster recovery strategies. AVD session hosts can be protected using Azure Site Recovery and Azure Backup, allowing businesses to ensure that their virtual desktop environments are resilient and recoverable in the event of an outage or failure.

These tools give IT teams control over how session hosts are replicated, backed up, and restored, making AVD ideal for businesses that need tailored business continuity solutions.

Planning Your Migration Strategy

When migrating to either Windows 365 Cloud PC or Azure Virtual Desktop, it’s essential to align your strategy with your business goals and IT capabilities. Consider the following factors:

• Architecture Design: Understand how your current infrastructure will integrate with the cloud environment. Assess your network, security requirements, and user access needs to determine the best architecture.
• Cost Analysis: Evaluate licensing and operational costs using real-world scenarios to identify the most cost-effective solution for your organization.
• Lifecycle Management: Plan for ongoing management, including patching, updates, and performance monitoring. Both platforms offer tools for managing the virtual desktop lifecycle.
• Disaster Recovery & Business Continuity: Ensure your migration strategy includes robust DR plans to minimize downtime and data loss.

Ready to Migrate? Join Our Webinar to Learn More

Considering transitioning to Windows 365 Cloud PC or Azure Virtual Desktop? A smart migration starts with the right knowledge. 

We’ll help you cut through the confusion. Join our webinar on March 5, 2025 for a deep dive into real-world architecture, pricing, lifecycle management, patching strategies, disaster recovery, ControlUp observability features, and more. Contact us today for help with your migration.

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