Windows 365 Boot Note

Windows 365 Boot

The author describes a solution called Windows 365 Boot for simplifying access to Cloud PCs (CPCs). This method transforms a standard Windows 11 device into a dedicated Cloud PC access point. Previously, configuring Windows 365 Boot was a guided process in Intune, but it can now be done manually through the Intune Settings Catalog. A customer with many rotational call center staff using dedicated CPCs from shared Windows 11 PCs needed a more streamlined access method. They aimed to repurpose existing, functional PCs to avoid purchasing new hardware. The author proposed a Proof of Concept using Windows 365 Boot and Autopilot Self-deploy mode for automated deployment. The process involved creating an Entra device group and targeting it with an Autopilot Self-deployment Profile, Enrollment Status Page (ESP), the Windows App, and a Windows 365 Boot Configuration Profile. The ESP ensured the Windows App was installed before users could access the device. The Boot configuration policy transformed the Windows 11 OS into a "Shared PC Mode" device. Users could then efficiently log in to their CPCs using FIDO2 keys and PINs. The Connection Center is supported if a user accesses multiple CPCs, with an option to automatically connect to a preferred one. Customization of the sign-in screen is also possible through policy settings.