W365: Exploring the "Show Notification" Feature Discrepancy in iOS Devices: A Case of Cloud PC Notifications in Windows Apps in iOS

As organizations increasingly rely on cloud-based solutions and cross-platform apps, seamless integration across devices is essential for a smooth user experience. One notable example is the use of Windows apps on iOS devices, where users expect consistent functionality regardless of the platform. However, a recent issue has surfaced where the "Show Notification" feature used for displaying Cloud PC-related notifications functions differently depending on how the app is installed or upgraded on iOS devices.

The Issue: Missing "Show Notification" Option in iOS After Upgrade

When users install the Windows app from the iOS App Store for the first time, they will typically find the "Show Notification" option within the app interface. This feature allows users to view important notifications related to their Cloud PC environments, such as system alerts, connection updates, and troubleshooting notifications, directly on their iOS devices.

However, for users who perform an in-place upgrade from a previous remote app version to the latest Windows app version on iOS, the "Show Notification" icon often goes missing. While the app upgrade itself may be successful, this key feature that provides crucial real-time Cloud PC notifications does not appear.

Understanding the Impact:

The absence of the "Show Notification" icon on upgraded apps can have a significant impact on both user experience and Cloud PC management. Users who rely on these notifications to monitor their virtual desktop environment may miss critical alerts, leading to delays in addressing potential issues or taking necessary actions.

For example, if a Cloud PC encounters performance issues or disconnection errors, these notifications serve as the first point of awareness for users and administrators. Without them, the delay in detecting and resolving problems can hinder productivity and affect the overall efficiency of cloud desktop operations.

Potential Causes

The discrepancy in the "Show Notification" feature between new installs and in-place upgrades on iOS could arise from several factors:

1. App Settings Migration: During an in-place upgrade, certain app configurations, such as notification preferences or settings files, may not transfer correctly from the older remote app version to the new Windows app.

2. iOS System Behavior: iOS devices manage app permissions and notifications differently than other platforms, which could lead to inconsistencies when upgrading apps without a fresh installation.

3. App Compatibility: As developers continue to update and improve cross-platform apps, older versions might not fully support new features, such as the "Show Notification" icon, even after upgrading.

Recommendations for Users and IT Administrators

To resolve the missing notification feature, consider the following approaches:

1. Reinstall the App: A fresh installation of the app from the iOS App Store, instead of an in-place upgrade, is the simplest way to ensure that all features including the "Show Notification" option are fully enabled. Reinstalling from scratch ensures that the app configures itself as intended for the latest version.

🚨⚠️ Windows 365 Cloud PC Connection Error in iOS Windows App

When using the new Windows app on iOS to connect to a Cloud PC, users may encounter an issue if they attempt to connect the same Cloud PC using the updated Windows app—previously the Remote Desktop app—on a iOS device. In this scenario, while the Cloud PC connects successfully through the Windows app, attempting to reconnect via the inplace updated windows app from remote app in iOS device displays a vague error message.

This error lacks clarity and does not inform users of the underlying issue: the Cloud PC is already connected through another device or method. Ideally, the iOS app should provide a more informative message, similar to what users see when connecting via a browser or the Windows app on a Windows device. The message should clearly state that the Cloud PC is in use elsewhere and has been disconnected due to the active session on another platform.

Suggested Improvement:

To enhance the user experience, the error message in the iOS windows app should mirror the informative notifications seen in other connection methods like the below screen. This would eliminate confusion and provide users with a clear understanding of why the connection attempt failed, guiding them to either disconnect the session on the other device or reconnect through the active platform.

W365: Install Windows app as MSIX

Following previous post, let’s explore how to install the windows app as MSIX format.

First download the windows app msix file and open the location of the downloaded file and double click it to install. 

You can also install it through Powershell command 

Add-AppxPackage -path “path to downloaded msix file”

After installation, you can open the windows app shortcut to access the windows 365 cloud pc’s.

You can also confirm the installation by opening Powershell and running the below command.

Get-AppxPackage 

You can uninstall the windows app by running the below command in Powershell.

Remove-AppxPackage -Package MicrosoftCorporationII.Windows365_2.0.294.0_x64__8wekyb3d8bbwe

Note: MSIX version will not auto update if Microsoft store is blocked and update needs be done by downloading the MSIX again from the URL.

You can make the auto update to happen if you push the Windows App as Microsoft store app (new) from Intune to  the device and the Intune will take over management and upgrade the windows app. 

You need to make sure “Turn off Automatic Download and Install of updates” policy isn't enabled, only then Microsoft Store will automatically update the UWP/MSIX apps.

Reference - https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/mem/intune/apps/store-apps-microsoft#common-store-policy-settings-and-their-impact-on-microsoft-store-apps

Maximizing Efficiency with Windows 365 Cloud PCs: Streamlining Device Issues and Hardware Refresh

In today's fast-paced business environment, minimizing downtime and ensuring employee productivity are key priorities for IT teams. 

What if an user is struck up with an issue in his Laptop and want an immediate assistance with resolving his device issue that can take time? Provide a loaner laptop and that too with same configuration? Whether he can start working on his left over task immediately?

No, as it will take time to provide the user a loaner laptop with same configuration, Microsoft 365 apps, Microsoft Teams and what about their existing files? 

Yes, you guessed it right. Windows 365 to the rescue like JamesBond 007 /̵͇̿̿/'̿'̿ ̿ ̿̿ ̿̿ ̿̿💥 rescues the world when in an emergency need!!! 

Windows 365 Cloud PC offers a flexible, cloud-based solution that allows organizations to quickly address issues like device failure or end-of-life hardware, without relying on physical replacements. Employees can seamlessly access their work environment using their own devices, thanks to Windows 365 Cloud PCs that can be provisioned in few minutes.

In this article, we'll explore two common scenarios where Windows 365 Cloud PCs can replace physical devices and provide an efficient, scalable alternative:

1. Requesting a Loaner Device with a Windows 365 Cloud PC

2. Replacing End-of-Life Devices with Windows 365 Cloud PCs for Greater Performance

We'll also look at how to automate this process to ensure quick and efficient provisioning, helping organizations reduce delays and improve operational efficiency.

Scenario 1: Requesting a Loaner Device Using Windows 365 Cloud PC

When employees encounter device issues, whether it's due to hardware failure, system crashes, or performance degradation they often request a loaner device to continue their work while repairs or replacements are made. Traditionally, this involved shipping physical loaner devices to employees, which not only incurs shipping costs but can also take several days to reach the end user if end user is home based employee.

With Windows 365 Cloud PC, organizations can eliminate the need to send physical loaner devices. Instead, employees can use their own laptops, desktops, or even tablets or Iphone/iPad/Android to connect to a cloud-based virtual machine that replicates the functionality of their work PC.

Example Workflow: Device Issue and Loaner Cloud PC Request

1. Employee Reports Device Issue: 

   - The employee submits a helpdesk request through the company's IT helpdesk portal.

2. Approval Process: 

   - The request triggers an automated approval workflow, which notifies IT and management about the issue. Depending on the policy, this step could involve gathering approvals from the direct manager or IT admin.

3. Cloud PC Provisioning: 

   - Upon approval, a License based on user requirement is provided and the IT team  provisions a Windows 365 Cloud PC for the employee. This Cloud PC is connected to their Microsoft 365 apps, synced with OneDrive for automatic access to stored data.

4. Employee Receives Access: 

   - In less than an hour, the employee receives access credentials to the Cloud PC. They can now connect from any compatible device, accessing all necessary applications and data to continue working without disruption.

5. User Experience: 

   - The Cloud PC provides the same familiar Windows interface, synced with all necessary work files and apps via OneDrive and Microsoft 365. The user continues working seamlessly as though they were on their own device, without feeling disconnected from their workflow.

Scenario 2: Replacing End-of-Life Devices with Windows 365 Cloud PC

When a device is approaching the end of its lifecycle, IT teams typically refresh the hardware by deploying new physical devices to users. However, this process can take days or weeks, especially when coordinating bulk device purchases and shipments.

 Additionally, hardware refreshes often leave advanced users needing even more processing power, such as GPU-accelerated devices for design, analytics, or development work.

Windows 365 Cloud PCs offer a scalable and high-performance alternative to this traditional refresh cycle. Instead of receiving a physical device, employees can transition to Cloud PCs that provide enhanced processing power, GPU capabilities, and storage—all from their current or personal devices.

To know more about the GPU enabled Windows 365, check here - 

Windows 365 GPU enabled cloud pc's

Example Workflow: Device Refresh and Cloud PC Upgrade

1. End-of-Life Device Notification: 

   - Employees receive an automated notification from IT, informing them that their device is nearing its end of life and offering the option to upgrade to a Windows 365 Cloud PC.

2. Cloud PC Configuration Selection: 

   - employees can review the available Cloud PC configurations and choose a plan that fits their needs. High-performance options with GPU capabilities are available for users with intensive tasks such as product design or data analysis. 

3. Approval Workflow: 

   - The employee's selection is pushed into an approval workflow, which notifies management and IT for sign-off. The IT team can also automate the decision-making process based on predefined criteria, speeding up the approval process.

4. Provisioning: 

   - After approval, the Windows 365 Cloud PC is provisioned and made available to the employee in under an hour. The Cloud PC includes all necessary Microsoft 365 apps and is synced with OneDrive for seamless data access.

5. Increased Productivity with GPU: 

   - Advanced users needing more computing power can leverage GPU-accelerated Cloud PCs to boost productivity, with enhanced processing performance that exceeds typical physical device capabilities.

Ensuring Seamless User Experience with Windows 365

Regardless of the scenario whether for loaners or device refresh, employees will continue to enjoy a seamless user experience with Windows 365 Cloud PCs. Microsoft 365 apps come pre-installed on Cloud PCs, ensuring that employees can access essential applications like Word, Excel, and Outlook. Additionally, OneDrive integration ensures that employees' files are always synced and accessible from the Cloud PC, providing a smooth transition between their old device and the Cloud PC.

Windows 365 also comes with pre installed MS teams that is now based on slimcore media engine that acts similar to local desktop performance.

More Details -  https://techcommunity.microsoft.com/t5/microsoft-teams-blog/new-vdi-solution-for-teams-on-avd-windows-365-environments-now/ba-p/4238620

Also check Neil McLoughlin’s YouTube video regarding this new Teams Slimcore Optimization for Windows 365.

With Cloud PCs, employees won’t miss a beat. They’ll still have access to all their settings, apps, and data, providing a consistent experience across devices.

Automating the Cloud PC Request Workflow:

To further enhance the speed and efficiency of this process, organizations can automate the workflow for requesting and provisioning Cloud PCs. Here's how a fully automated workflow might look:

1. Helpdesk Request Submission:

   - The employee submits a help desk request for a loaner or hardware refresh through the company’s service portal.

2. Automated Approval Workflow:

   - The system gathers the necessary approvals automatically, routing the request to managers and IT admins for swift action.

3. Cloud PC Licensing and Provisioning:

   - After approval, a suitable License is allocated to the user and the provisioning of a Windows 365 Cloud PC is initiated. The system automatically selects an appropriate Cloud PC configuration based on predefined policies or user needs.

4. Notification and Access:

   - Within an hour, the employee receives a mail notification with login credentials for their new Cloud PC.

5. User Setup:

   - The user can now connect to the Cloud PC from any device. Setup is very simple by downloading and installing the windows app or accessing through browser.

Windows app is available for most operating system like windows/macOS/iOS/Andrioid ppreview or use a web browser of their choice to access the cloud pc. 

Data stored in OneDrive is automatically synced to the new Cloud PC, ensuring continuity.

Automated Workflow Diagram

Below is a flowchart representing the simple automated workflow for loaner and device refresher scenarios:

Final Impression: Good or Bad? 

The best of the best in town!!! 

Reason is simple. By replacing physical loaner devices and outdated hardware with Windows 365 Cloud PCs, organizations can streamline their operations, boost user productivity, and significantly reduce the costs associated with traditional device replacements. Cloud PCs not only offer a quicker and more flexible alternative, but they also ensure that employees always have access to the tools and data they need, regardless of the device they're using.

So why wait, utilize the best option for your loaner or replacement with the Windows 365 in town!!!

W365: Addressing Grace Period Notifications in the new Windows App

With the rapid evolution of cloud technology, Windows 365 has become an essential tool for organizations, allowing seamless access to Cloud PCs. However, as with any technology, updates and changes can occasionally introduce user experience challenges. One such issue that has surfaced with recent updates to the Windows App version 2.0.294.0 is the handling of Grace Period notifications for the windows 365 cloud pc's. 

Old vs. New: How Grace Period Notifications Have Changed?

In earlier versions of the Windows App, users were informed about the Grace Period directly within their connected Cloud PC session. The notification was clearly displayed inside the Cloud PC environment, making it easy for users to recognise that their access to the Cloud PC was nearing its expiration or needed License renewal.

In the latest version of the app, however, this behavior has changed. Now, the Grace Period notification is shown as a pop-up message (Your admin had removed access to this cloud pc. Backup your files immediately) rather than within the Cloud PC interface itself. While this may seem like a minor adjustment, it has led to some unintended consequences.

The Problem with Pop-Up Notifications:

Pop-up notifications, by their nature, are transient. Users often overlook or dismiss these messages, especially if they are engaged in other tasks. In many cases, the Grace Period notification may go unnoticed. When this happens, users might find themselves suddenly unable to access their Cloud PC, leading them to believe that their Cloud PC has “disappeared” or is no longer available.

This often results in unnecessary confusion and a surge in support requests, as users seek help to reconnect to their Cloud PCs, unaware that they had missed the critical Grace Period notification.

The Case for Reintroducing In-App Grace Period Notifications:

To address this issue and improve user experience, it would be beneficial to reintroduce the Grace Period notification inside the Cloud PC environment, as was done in previous versions of the Windows App. By restoring this feature, users will have a clear and consistent reminder that their Cloud PC session is approaching its grace period limit, helping them take appropriate action before their access expires.

Bringing back the old notification format would significantly reduce the number of support tickets raised due to missed notifications and provide users with a more intuitive experience.

Upvote for the submitted Feedback in the Microsoft Feedback Portal2.0.294.0

📲 Difference Between Newly Installed Windows App and In-Place Updated Remote App for Windows 365 Cloud PC on iOS

 📲 Difference between the Windows App vs Remote app in place update to Windows App in iOS.

What I noticed is both the newly downloaded windows app and already installed remote app in place updated to windows app, both are present in the mobile and both the app can be launched at the same time without any conflict.

The new Windows App displays the cloud pc name correctly as what we have assigned from Intune xxx-windows365-region whereas the in place update in remote app just displays the default cloud pc name like below and not the right one. Seems to be difference between the two apps.

When the cloud pc is launched, it launches fine. Just the cloud pc name differs among the two apps.

50th Blog Post and Windows 11 24H2 images available in Windows 365 CPC in Intune

Hola! Celebrating My 50th Blog of the Year 💥🎉🥂

Hola, everyone! I’m thrilled to announce that this is my 50th blog post of the year, and it’s been an amazing journey contributing to the Windows 365 community. Your support and engagement have made this milestone possible, and I’m excited to keep delivering insights and updates to help you navigate the world of Windows 365 and Microsoft Intune. This year, I have achieved the below awards for my contributions towards the community and the Microsoft Management Customer Connection Program MCCP🥇🥈🥉 

So, without further ado, let’s dive into today’s topic!

The Latest Windows 11 24H2 version that has been announced recently are available in the Windows 365 offerings in the Windows 365 Intune blade.

Optimized images missing?

Microsoft has recently retired the optimized images that we had delved in our earlier post. If you don't require M365 apps as pre-installed, then you can make use of the available Windows 11 Enterprise images that are shown in above picture.