Windows 365: Introducing Granular Move Enhancements for Cloud PCs

 Earlier I had blogged about how to move cloud pc's here. 

Today managing Cloud PCs just got more flexible and efficient with the introduction of granular move enhancements in Windows 365. These updates empower administrators to manage Cloud PC provisioning with greater control, enhanced visibility, and streamlined processes.

 Let’s dive into the key features and steps to implement these improvements.

What’s New in Cloud PC Management?

1. Flexible Batch Moves
   Previously, administrators were required to move all Cloud PCs tied to a specific policy at once. The granular move enhancement changes this by allowing smaller, more manageable batches of up to 100 devices to be moved at a time. This flexibility is particularly beneficial for phased rollouts or targeted policy updates.

2. Enhanced Tracking and Reporting
   Admins can now track and monitor the progress of bulk Cloud PC moves in real-time. The Cloud PC actions report bulk batches tab provides insights into the progress, success or failure status, and time elapsed for each batch move operations. This enhanced visibility simplifies troubleshooting and ensures smoother transitions during policy updates.

3. Winodws 365 Move now supports front line cloud pc's too. 

How to Move a Subset of Cloud PCs

Here’s a step-by-step guide to leveraging granular moves:

1. Access Provisioning Policies

• Sign in to the Microsoft Intune admin center.
• Navigate to Devices > Windows 365 (under the Provisioning section) > Provisioning policies.
• Select the policy you want to modify.

2. Update Join Type Details

• Under the General tab, select Edit.
• Modify the join type settings based on the current configuration:
  • Hybrid Microsoft Entra Join: Update the Azure Network Connection (ANC).
  • Microsoft Entra Join:
    • Switch the network type between ANC and Microsoft-hosted network.
    • Adjust the Geography or Region for Microsoft-hosted networks.
    • For Azure network connections, update the ANC.
• Click Next and select Update to save changes.

3. Apply Changes to Selected Cloud PCs

• Once the new configuration is ready, click Apply this configuration.
• In the confirmation dialog, select Region or Azure network connections for select devices (preview) and then choose Apply.

4. Select Cloud PCs for Migration

• Under Select devices (preview), choose the specific devices to move.
• You can select up to 100 devices in one batch.
• Click Select, then Continue to initiate the migration.

Why These Enhancements Matter?

The granular move and tracking features bring multiple benefits:

• Efficient Resource Management: Moving smaller batches reduces downtime and ensures smoother transitions.
• Real-Time Insights: Detailed reporting allows admins to stay informed throughout the process, helping to identify and resolve issues promptly.
• Customized Deployments: Flexible migration paths make it easier to align Cloud PC provisioning with evolving organizational needs.

By empowering administrators with more control and visibility, Windows 365 continues to enhance the Cloud PC management experience. Start exploring these new features today to streamline your workflows and maximize productivity!

W365: Move - How to Change Regions for Windows 365 Cloud PCs with Intune

As your business evolves, you may find it necessary to relocate your Windows 365 Cloud PCs to a different region. Whether it’s to improve performance, meet new data compliance needs, or align with changing organisational structures, moving Cloud PCs can provide significant benefits. In this guide, we’ll walk through the steps in Microsoft Intune to adjust provisioning settings, move existing Cloud PCs to a new region, and discuss the benefits, timing considerations, and impact on users.

Why Change the Region of Your Windows 365 Cloud PCs?

Changing the region of your Cloud PCs offers several advantages:

- Enhanced Performance: Placing Cloud PCs closer to your users helps reduce latency, leading to faster load times and better responsiveness.

- Compliance and Security: Many organizations must store data within specific geographic regions to meet local compliance requirements, making regional adjustments essential.

- Cost and Management Efficiency: Selecting a region that aligns with your company’s resources can also lead to better management practices and potentially lower costs over time.

Steps to Update the Region for Windows 365 Cloud PCs in Intune

Before you start, ensure you have the necessary access to the Intune admin center and permissions to modify provisioning policies.

Step 1: Access the Provisioning Policies

1. Log in to the Microsoft Intune admin center.

2. From the main dashboard, go to Devices and select Windows 365 under the Provisioning section.

3. Choose Provisioning policies and pick the policy that applies to the Cloud PCs you plan to move

Step 2: Modify General Settings

1. Inside the policy settings, locate the General section.

2. Click on Edit to make changes.

Step 3: Update Join Type Details

Next, adjust the Join type details based on the current configuration of the Cloud PCs.

- For Hybrid Microsoft Entra Join:

  - Modify the Azure Network Connection (ANC) settings.

- For Microsoft Entra Join:

  - You have a few options to consider:

    - Switch Network Type: Change between ANC and Microsoft hosted network if necessary.

    - Adjust Region and Geography: If using a Microsoft hosted network, update the Region and Geography fields to reflect the new location.

    - Update ANC Settings: If an Azure network connection is in use, update the ANC configuration to match the new region.

Step 4: Confirm and Save Changes

1. After making the necessary adjustments, select Next to review.

2. Once you’ve confirmed everything, click Update to apply the changes to the provisioning policy.

Step 5: Apply Region Changes to Existing Cloud PCs

When you’re ready to move existing Cloud PCs to the new region, select the Apply region change to existing Cloud PCs option. This action will initiate the process of transferring Cloud PCs to the updated location.

Move Process Overview

Once you initiate the move to a new region, Microsoft manages the migration in several steps, helping to minimize disruption for end-users:

1. Backup of Cloud PCs: All selected Cloud PCs are backed up automatically. This backup phase can begin while users are actively using their Cloud PCs, ensuring minimal disruption at the start.

2. Shutdown of Cloud PCs: After backup is complete, each Cloud PC will automatically shut down, preparing for the region change.

3. Cloud PC Transfer: During the transfer, which may take several hours, the Cloud PCs will be inaccessible. 

4. Monitoring Progress: You can monitor the migration progress from the All Cloud PCs list in the Intune admin center. The process is complete when the status updates to Provisioned.

5. User Access: Once the transfer finishes, users can sign back in and continue working as usual, with all data and settings preserved.

6. Error Handling: If any issues occur during the migration, administrators can retry the move to complete the transfer successfully.

Timing and User Impact During the Move

When to Apply Region Changes

To minimize disruption, consider scheduling the region update during off-hours or other times of low activity, such as weekends. This reduces the likelihood of downtime impacting productivity.

User Experience During the Change

1. Temporary Downtime: Users will experience brief access interruptions while the move is in progress.

2. Network Adjustments: Changes in region may impact network settings or VPN configurations. Confirm any necessary network updates post-move.

3. Preserved Data and Settings: Data and settings remain intact, though users should save any ongoing work before the move begins.