Windows 365 now 20% cheaper until October 2025

With support for Windows 10 ending on 14th October 2025, Microsoft has introduced a strategic initiative aimed at easing the transition to modern computing environments and to encourage more oganisations to take a look at Windows 365.

They are offering a 20% off for any “new to Windows 365” business customers making it a great time to discover and test drive Windows 365.

What Is Windows 365?

Windows 365 is a 100% cloud-based service that streams a complete and dedicated Windows 11 operating system from the the Microsoft cloud to any device. In doing so, it this offers a modern and simple blend of mobility, security, and productivity. Being a cloud service (think Xbox Gaming) it can work on any internet connected device through a browser or Windows App. There is also a purpose-built Windows 365 Link Device which start shipping this month.

Use Cases for Windows 365

Whether you have contractors, temp staff, support bring your own device or just need to support remote workers better, Windows 365 is a simple, secure and flexible solution that adapts to your environment, your employees and your environment.

Windows 365 can work alongside an existing managed desktop and the subscription also includes Windows 10 Extended Support Updates, meaning if you use it from a Windows 10 device, you are secure and protected whilst you adopt Windows 365 or manage your transition from Windows 10 devices to more modern devices running Windows 11, like the new Surface Pro and Laptops released this week.

Windows 365 ensures that employees have access to a personalised, dedicated Windows desktop, apps, settings, and data with a single and secure login without compromise.

Why the discount counts!

Microsoft’s decision to offer a 20% discount on all Windows 365 subscriptions for first-time customers is a proactive measure to help businesses and individual users make a smooth transition ahead of Windows 10’s end of support. Here’s why the discount is a key opportunity:

  • Cost Efficiency: The discount provides immediate savings on subscription fees, making the switch to a cloud-based solution more budget-friendly. 
  • Enhanced Security: Leaving behind legacy Windows 10 systems means benefiting from next-generation security features built right into Windows 11 and Windows 365.
  • Modern Computing on Any Device: Many businesses face hardware challenges—especially with older systems that do not meet the specification or security requirements of Windows 11 . Windows 365 sidesteps this by delivering a full-featured Windows experience through the cloud whilst providing Windows 10 ESU for the base devices to keep you secure and protected.
  • Seamless Integration: Windows 365 is designed and tested to work effortlessly with your Windows applications and services including Copilot, Microsoft Teams, OneDrive, and other Office apps, Windows 365 ensures a cohesive ecosystem that boosts productivity and collaboration.
  • Flexibility: Windows 365 offers different SKUs for Small Business, Front Line Workers, and Enterprise and comes in different configuration specifications which can be scaled up and down as needed.

Who Can Benefit?

The 20% discount is available exclusively for first-time Windows 365 customers. It is valid for either the duration of the customer’s Enterprise Agreement contract or, for the first year of a CSP subscription.

Transitioning in the Shadow of Windows 10 End of Support

As Microsoft officially phases out support for Windows 10 in October 2025, many organizations are confronted with a pivotal decision: upgrade to newer, more secure systems or continue risking vulnerabilities on an aging operating system. Windows 365 emerges as a robust, cost-effective alternative that not only mitigates these risks but also propels organizations into a more agile and modern operational paradigm. This timely discount is a clarion call to innovate, modernize, and make a daring leap into the future of hybrid computing.

Speak to Cisilion Today

Now is the perfect moment to embrace change and take Windows 365 for a test drive. We can provide guidance, licensing, support, deployment and adoption support to help you transition or pilot Windows 365 and answer any questions you have.

The promotional SKU ends on October 31, 2025,

Windows 365 Link now available for £314

Microsoft’s dedicated mini PC that just runs Windows 365 is now evaulable to from limited distributes for £314 / $350.

I’ve just ordered mine, which should arrive early next week, after being lucky enough to play around with one at Microsoft Ignite in Chicago back in November.

What is Windows 365 Link?

Windows 365 Link is aimed (currently) for commercial / business customers and provides a simple, fast, secure and fast way to connect directly to the Windows 365 cloud service provide access to a dedicated (or shared in the case of front line workers) Windows Cloud, a full persistent Windows desktop in the Cloud. The configuration of these desktop experiences is managed via Intune and the specification of each users Cloud PC is configurable subject to the license allocation for the user.

Windows 365 Link

The Windows 365 service itself as a service is not new however, with it being available through the browser and via the Windows App which is available on Windows, Mac, Android and Apple iOS.

The combination of dedicated device and Windows 365 Cloud Service should make for a simple and more easily manageable experience for IT departments than managing physical fleets of desktops and Laptops while also significantly  reducing the needs of hands on support.

Is Windows 365 Link just a Thin Client?

No. But there is a definately similarity!

Many organisations have used Thin Client devices (such as igel thin clients) that run a virtual Windows desktop (shared or dedicated) from a local or data centre deployed server farm. They can also be used to access Virtual Desktop Infrastructure (VDI) services such as Citrix, VMware and Microsoft Azure Virtual Desktop.

Windows 365 Link is, essentially a modern version of the thin client, but designed especially to run full Cloud PCs from Microsoft’s Windows 365 infrastructure over the Internet. There is not support for VDI infratrautre and won’t even run desktops hosted on Azure Virtual Desktop. It just runs Windows 365 as the name suggests!

The device is small, weights just, and is vesa mountable as you’d expect. It’s also capable of driving multiple displays at 4K resolution.

Thin Client vs Windows 365 Link

Being a purpose built device (it’s not just a generic thin client device) it is built with Microsoft’s commitment to Security. It’s built by the same team that build Surface. It leverages Chip to Cloud security with features including Secure Boot and TPM and also includes Microsoft’s Pluton processor.

The device is designed to boot in seconds, which sounds like a better experience than the thin clients of the past and performance of Windows 365 experience and the office apps (including Teams) has been rigorously tested and performance tuned with the Windows and Microsoft 365 development team.

Windows 365 Link on Dual Screens at 4K

Windows 365 Link has been in a private preview program by over 100 organisation, Microsoft MVPs and internal employees to help refine and perfect the out of box experience, configuration and performance since November

Secure by Design

Windows 365 Link is a dedicated Cloud PC devices that has no local data, doesn’t allow boot to anything other than Windows 365, has no local admin users, and supports the strongest security including passwordless authentication using Microsoft Entra ID and passkeys. This significantly reduced the attack surface.

It also has security locks and vesa mounts for secure and concealed mounting.

Windows 365 Link promotes sustainable computing

Windows 365 Link is built using more than 63% recycled components and materials, has 100% paper-based packaging, is an ENERGY STAR-certified device, and is designed to be long-lasting and repairable. They are super low power too and because Microsoft Cloud is committed to being carbon negative by 2030, the cloud compute they consume is also green and sustainable.

Availability

Windows 365 Link is available now (from April 3rd) in the US, Canada, Australia, UK, Germany, Japan, and New Zealand.

I’ll be doing a hands on review next week when mine arrives!!