Evaluate Microsoft’s Cloud-Based Windows 365 Disaster Recovery Solutions for PCs
Microsoft has announced the limited public preview of Windows 365 Reserve, a service designed to provide temporary desktop access to pre-configured Cloud PCs for employees whose computers are unavailable due to cyberattacks, hardware issues, or software problems. Windows 365 Reserve offers up to 10 days of access per user annually to these cloud-based disaster recovery PCs, allowing organisations to mitigate productivity issues during outages without the need for physical replacement of defective devices. The current gated public preview requires application approval, with broader availability planned following the testing phase. Microsoft emphasised that even a single device failure can disrupt an organisation, halting productivity and straining IT teams. This disruption can be magnified across thousands of employees, making the cost of downtime a critical business concern.
Windows 365 Reserve is a modern, secure, and scalable solution that helps employees remain productive and connected during unexpected events. This cloud-based service operates as a standalone Windows 365 offering, which administrators can deploy as pre-configured Cloud PCs through Microsoft Intune, complete with corporate applications, security policies, and Microsoft 365 access. Once provisioned, users can access their temporary desktops from any device via web browsers or Microsoft’s Windows App, all through a secure connection while their main computers are being repaired or replaced. Windows 365 Reserve adheres to the organisation’s security posture by default and follows Zero Trust principles for enhanced security during outages. The 10-day annual allocation can be used consecutively or divided across multiple incidents, with administrators receiving automatic notifications as user access approaches expiration. However, the service is subject to scale limitations, such as Azure capacity constraints, and requires a network connection for use.
Categories: Cloud Computing, Disaster Recovery, Cybersecurity
Tags: Windows 365 Reserve, Cloud PCs, Cyberattacks, Disaster Recovery, Temporary Desktop, Microsoft Intune, Security Policies, Zero Trust, Productivity, Network Connection