How to Automate Windows 365 Cloud PC Provisioning?
Windows 365 Cloud PC is designed for hybrid work scenarios involving remote teams that often have to be managed from various locations. An important aspect of managing such teams is automation. In the case of Windows 365 Cloud PCs, virtual machines can be created, set up, and prepared for users and inform them once their Cloud PCs are ready to be used. All these steps can be automated by admins using provisioning policies. In this article, we will focus on the process involved in automating the provisioning of Windows 365 Cloud PCs.
How to Automate Windows 365 Cloud PC Deployment?
By automating the Windows 365 Cloud PC provisioning process, pre-defined configuration details will be automatically matched for creating Windows 365 Cloud PCs for licensed users. Follow the steps below for automating the process for Windows 365 Cloud PC provisioning.
Core Provisioning of Windows 365 Cloud PC
Core provisioning involves performing only the steps that are necessary to run Windows 365 Cloud PCs. These include the following steps.
- Azure capacity is automatically allocated in the Windows 365 Cloud PC user’s region, without admins having to manually manage the capacity or allocation.
- Virtual machines are automatically created for users with Windows 365 licenses with specs, such as the hardware capacity information.
- To connect the Cloud PC with the on-premises network, a virtual network interface (NIC) is injected into the customer’s vNET.
- The virtual desktop is joined with the customer’s domain by performing an Active Directory domain join operation.
- A Hybrid Azure AD Join is used to enable cloud management scenarios. The Windows 365 Cloud PC becomes a member of an Azure AD synchronizing organizational unit.
- Once the object appears in Azure AD, the Cloud PC is automatically enrolled in Intune and can be managed with Intune Mobile Device Management (MDM).
- Self-service and reporting scenarios work seamlessly when the Cloud PC user is assigned to the Intune primary user.
Post Provisioning Configuration of Windows 365 Cloud PCs
Windows 365 is optimized after the core provisioning process to ensure the best experience for end-users. The following are the actions that occur in the post-provisioning process to ensure an optimal user experience.
- The shutdown button is hidden from both the start menu and the login screen.
- The Windows reset action is disabled.
- A user is assigned as an administrator if applicable.
- Microsoft Teams is optimized for the hosted desktop mode.
- The time zone redirection setting is enabled.
- The operating system disk partition is resized to match the license for the Azure Managed Disk.
- At the end of the post-provisioning configuration, Cloud PCs are assigned to their relevant users.
Apps4Rent Provides Managed Azure Services for Cloud Migration
While Windows 365 Cloud PC is one of the simplest virtualization solutions to provision with automation, it offers limited customization options. Also, managing Windows 365 Cloud PCs for several users, especially when they are distributed across multiple tenants, can be challenging.
As a Tier 1 Microsoft Cloud Solution Provider (CSP), Apps4Rent provides managed Azure services for provisioning, managing, and customizing Windows 365 Cloud PCs, in addition to Azure Virtual Desktop, which is a richer and deeper platform for integrations and customizations. Call, email, or chat with our Microsoft-certified Azure experts for cloud solutions.
