I tried Microsoft’s Windows 365 Cloud PC on MacOS, Android, and iOS – here’s what it’s like
I tried Microsoft’s Windows 365 Cloud PC on MacOS, Android, and iOS – here’s what it’s like
https://www.zdnet.com/home-and-office/work-life/windows-365-cloud-pc-hands-on/
Publish Date: 2026-05-30 08:00:00
Source Domain: www.zdnet.com
Ed Bott/ZDNET
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ZDNET’s key takeaways
- The Windows 365 Cloud PC lets you use Windows 11 on any device – PC, Mac, iPad, or phone.
- It’s a subscription-based service, and the costs are still relatively high.
- The biggest benefit: no worries about repairing and replacing hardware.
My newest PC is the thinnest and lightest I’ve ever had. It’s literally a pixel thick, it weighs absolutely nothing, and it’s powerful enough to get me through a full day’s work without ever needing a recharge.
I am talking, of course, about my new Windows 365 Cloud PC. It’s a subscription-based service that Microsoft is currently offering for 20% off, and I’m halfway through my one-month trial. I’ve been running my Cloud PC on every device I can get my hands on, including multiple PCs, a MacBook, a five-year-old iPad, and even a Samsung phone. Here it is, running in a Google Chrome tab on a Windows PC.
This Windows 365 Cloud PC is running in a tab in my Google Chrome browser.
Screenshot by Ed Bott/ZDNET
Who needs a Cloud PC, anyway? What’s the experience like? How much does it cost? And, most importantly, is that monthly fee worth it? I’ve got your answers right here.
What’s a Cloud PC?
A Windows 365 Cloud PC is a Windows machine that’s hosted in Microsoft’s data centers. Unlike the older Azure Virtual Desktop, Windows 365 is a fixed, per-user virtual PC that is equipped with dedicated resources (CPU, memory, storage) and runs Windows 11 Enterprise.
Also: My new favorite Windows app made my PC safer and more reliable – and it’s free
The Cloud PC I’m using for this test includes 2 virtual CPUs, 8 GB of RAM, and 128 GB of storage. I can connect to the PC through any web browser, or I can use the dedicated Windows app, which is available for Windows, MacOS, Android, and iOS.
The Windows App (formally known as Remote Desktop) can use Windows Hello to connect to a virtual PC in the cloud.
Screenshot by Ed Bott/ZDNET
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