Microsoft is so confident in the reliability and security of its Windows 11 OS that it’s now offering businesses the ability to quickly dump users onto temporary VMs in its cloud when, not if, their desktops and laptops break.
“In today’s always-connected workplace, even a single device failure can ripple across an organisation – halting productivity, delaying deliverables, and straining IT teams,” Microsoft’s Logan Silliman wrote in a buzzword-heavy announcement.
“Multiply that disruption across thousands of employees, and the impact becomes massive. Exacerbated by cyberattacks, the cost of employee and device downtime is no longer theoretical – it’s a business-critical concern. That’s why we’re introducing Windows 365 Reserve: a modern, secure, and scalable solution that helps employees stay productive and connected when the unexpected strikes.”
First announced back in June by Microsoft’s Stefan Kinnestrand, veep for modern work, Windows 365 Reserve is designed to get business users back up and running in the event of a desktop-related disaster. Those signed up to the service, which is separate from the main Windows 365 product, can give their users access to a “temporary, secure, and dedicated Cloud PC” for up to 10 days in the event that their primary physical machine breaks down.
These VMs are hosted in Microsoft’s cloud platform and manageable via Microsoft Intune – and can be preconfigured for quick deployment, the company promised.
There’s a catch, of course: these temporary PCs are cloudy in nature, but require a fully fledged “secondary device” with web browser or the Windows App in order to access. As a result, there’s an obvious question: if you have to give your users a new PC in order to access their temporary “dedicated Cloud PC,” why would you not simply provision the new PC for native, local, cloud-free use with no 10-day deadline?
Microsoft had not responded to our request for clarification on this point by the time of publication, though, in fairness, we note that the Windows App is also available on mobile devices – if you fancy spending 10 days trying to interact with a desktop interface on a 5″ touchscreen smartphone.
Those lucky enough to have a corporate-approved tablet may find the experience more enjoyable.
There’s another bump in the road for anyone looking to use Windows 365 Reserve, too: scaling, particularly in instances where a botched update, ransomware attack, lightning strike, or other widespread disaster leaves more than a handful of users adrift at the same time.
“While Windows 365 Reserve delivers enhanced availability,” Silliman admitted, “it remains subject to scale limitations such as Azure capacity constraints and requires a network connection to connect to use the Windows 365 Reserve Cloud PC.”
Those interested in trying Windows 365 Reserve out for themselves can submit an application for access to the gated beta; participants are expected to be a Microsoft customer, MVP, or partner, have Windows E3, Intune, and Azure Active Directory P1 (AADP1) licence coverage in place.
Oh, and they myst “commit to complete a set of admin and end user validation scenarios and provide feedback on the experience.”
Successful applications will be granted no-cost access to the platform for “up to 12 weeks.” ®