More Microsoft 365 Users May Access Windows Virtual Desktop

• Updated rules ensure all Microsoft 365 E3 and E5 users have Windows Virtual Desktop access rights.

A subtle change to Microsoft’s licensing rules permits more Microsoft 365 Enterprise suite users to access Windows Virtual Desktop, a planned service for hosting Windows client OS-based VMs in an Azure-based virtual desktop infrastructure (VDI). Specifically, the new rules permit access by Microsoft 365 E3 and E5 users whose primary work device is a Mac, iPad, Chromebook, or other type of non-Windows device.

Old Rules Could Require Windows Device

Rights to run and access Windows client OS-based VMs in Windows Virtual Desktop are provided by any of the following Windows Enterprise and Virtual Desktop Access (VDA) User Subscription Licenses (User SLs):

• Windows Enterprise E3
• Windows Enterprise E5
• VDA E3
• VDA E5.

However, Windows Enterprise User SLs, available stand-alone or bundled as a component within Microsoft 365 Enterprise suites, have a licensing prerequisite: the licensed user must be a primary user of a work device already licensed (Per-Device) for Windows Pro (or Enterprise). For example, users with PCs purchased with Windows 10 Pro satisfy this prerequisite, but users with iPads or Chromebooks do not.