W365: How to disable the shutdown button in user logon screen

Earlier, I had detailed the steps required to disable the shutdown button in the start menu option here. Similarly you can also disable the shutdown button at user logon screen if it’s visible. 

Note: By default, shutdown button is disabled in user logon screen and start menu screen.

How to Disable the Shutdown Option

The shutdown option can be hidden by modifying a specific registry entry to prevent users from unintentionally turning off the Cloud PC. This involves setting the `Hideshutdown` value in the registry.

Registry Key Details

- Registry Path: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\System\

- Value Name: `shutdownwithoutlogon`

- Type: DWORD

- Setting: `1` to hide the shutdown option (default is `0`)

Powershell script can be found in my GitHub repository 

https://github.com/app2pack/Windows365-Scripts/blob/main/W365-Hide-Shutdown-at-Logon.ps1

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!

Windows 365: Fix error code 0x3

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.

Windows 365 : Exploring the User Experience Monitor Section for w365 Cloud PC in Intune

Recently I was asked from quite some enthusiast who are new to Windows 365 as how they can measure cloud pc’s user experience. There are several reports available for each use cases like below options.

In Addition to the above, Microsoft Intune also offers IT administrators comprehensive tools to monitor and manage Windows 365 Cloud PCs. The User Experience section, located under the Monitor tab for each Cloud PC, provides a detailed view of device performance and end-user satisfaction similar to other device reporting.

It also provides essential tools for IT administrators to ensure a seamless user experience. This section offers detailed insights to enhance device management, from tracking performance metrics and startup processes to monitoring battery health and application reliability.

First click on Devices and navigate to windows 365 and select the cloud pc. Under monitor section you can see the User experience tab.

This blog explores the various tabs within the User Experience section, explaining what each feature offers and how they can enhance the management of Cloud PCs

1. Endpoint Analytics

The Endpoint Analytics tab offers insights into the overall health and performance of the Cloud PC from the user’s perspective. This data helps IT administrators identify and resolve performance bottlenecks.

Key Metrics:

• Score Overview: A comprehensive score reflecting the device's overall health and user satisfaction.
• Device Performance Trends: Tracks key indicators like boot times, responsiveness, and reliability.
• Comparison Benchmarks: Enables comparison of Cloud PC performance against organizational or global benchmarks.

Reference: Scores, baselines, and insights in Endpoint Analytics - Microsoft Intune | Microsoft Learn

Benefits:

• Pinpoint underperforming devices.
• Proactively address issues affecting user satisfaction.
• Continuously improve user experience based on actionable insights.

2. Startup Performance

The Startup Performance tab evaluates the time and processes involved during device startup.

Details Provided:

• Boot History: Tracks the boot times of the device over time to identify trends or anomalies.
• Sign-In History: Monitors user login times to detect delays during the authentication process.
• Top 10 Impacting Startup Processes: Lists the processes that significantly affect startup time.
• OS Restart History: Provides details on operating system restart patterns and their durations.

Reference: Startup performance in Endpoint Analytics - Microsoft Intune | Microsoft Learn

Benefits:

• Identify and resolve slow startup processes.
• Optimize configurations for quicker logins and system boots.
• Enhance user productivity by minimizing delays during device startup.

3. Application Reliability

This section monitors the stability and reliability of applications running on the Cloud PC.

Details Provided:

• App Crash Reports: Identifies applications with frequent crashes and their causes.
• App Responsiveness: Measures the speed and efficiency of app interactions.
• Usage Trends: Shows patterns of app usage and their reliability over time.

Reference:Application reliability in Endpoint analytics - Microsoft Intune | Microsoft Learn

Benefits:

• Quickly identify problematic applications.
• Improve user satisfaction by addressing app stability issues.
• Monitor usage trends to prioritize application support or updates.

4. Resource Performance

The Resource Performance tab focuses on system resource utilisations and spikes that may impact user experience.

The resource performance score indicates how well CPU and RAM are matched to its current use. You can also refer to the insights and recommendations to learn how to improve scores for the cloud pc device.

Details Provided:

• CPU Spike Time Score: A score indicating the stability of CPU performance.
• RAM Spike Time Score: A score representing memory utilization efficiency.
• CPU Spike Time History: A 14-day trend of CPU spikes and their causes.
• RAM Spike Time History: A 14-day analysis of memory usage patterns.

Benefits:

• Detect resource bottlenecks impacting Cloud PC performance.
• Plan proactive measures to optimize resource usage.
• Improve device stability and responsiveness for end users.

5. Work From Anywhere

This section evaluates the device's readiness for remote work and hybrid scenarios by providing scores for key capabilities.

This report shows the ability for your employees to work from anywhere and be productive and also offers insights on how you can prepare the device to be productive from anywhere.

You can also refer to the insights and recommendations to learn how to improve scores for the cloud pc device.

Refer Work from Anywhere Report 

Details Provided:

• Work From Anywhere Score: An overall score summarizing the device's ability to support remote work.
• Capability Scores: Individual scores for critical enablers, such as:
  • Windows
  • Cloud Identity
  • Cloud Management
  • Cloud Provisioning

Benefits:

• Identify and address gaps in remote work readiness.
• Ensure optimal performance for remote users.
• Provide actionable insights to improve hybrid work capabilities.

6. Battery Health Experience

This tab provides a detailed view of battery performance for physical devices linked to the Cloud PC.

Details Provided:

• Battery Health Score: Overall assessment of battery condition.
• Battery Health Details: Specific metrics, such as charge cycles and efficiency.
• Top Interactive Apps Consuming Battery: Applications using the most battery during active usage.
• Top Non-Interactive Apps Consuming Battery: Background applications with significant battery usage.
• Estimated Runtime Trends: Insights into how long the device can operate under typical usage conditions.

Benefits:

• Proactively identify and replace degrading batteries.
• Optimize app usage to extend battery life.
• Enhance user productivity by minimizing battery-related issues.

7. Device Timeline

The Device Timeline tab provides a chronological record of significant events and changes on the Cloud PC.

Device timeline allows you to view events for a device when you're troubleshooting user experience-impacting issues.

Details Provided:

• Updates Installed: History of OS and application updates applied to the device.
• Application Installations: Records of newly installed or updated apps.
• Policy Changes: Logs of security, compliance, and configuration policy changes.

Benefits:

• Troubleshoot issues by reviewing recent changes or configurations.
• Maintain compliance by monitoring device activity.
• Gain a clear understanding of the Cloud PC’s lifecycle.

Reference: Enhanced device timeline

By leveraging these, organizations can proactively identify and address issues, optimize resources, and ensure their Cloud PCs deliver consistent and reliable performance for end users.

Whether you’re an IT admin or an end-user looking to maximize the potential of Windows 365, the User Experience section is an invaluable resource for maintaining productivity and satisfaction.