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Tom Hickling

@tomhickling.com

Principal Product Manager and Architect of Windows Cloud at Microsoft

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14.11.2024
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Latest posts by Tom Hickling @tomhickling.com

Windows Server 2025 Remote Desktop Session Host Capacity Planning Whitepaper | Microsoft Community Hub The Remote Desktop Session Host (RDSH) is a role service available on Windows Server 2025, which allows multiple...

Are you using or going to use #Windows Server 2025 #RemoteDesktopServices? Thinking about your user numbers, capacity and scaling? Check out our latest whitepaper providing this guidance:

Windows Server 2025 Capacity Planning Whitepaper

techcommunity.microsoft.com/blog/Windows...

27.02.2026 10:30 πŸ‘ 1 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
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Announcing new Cloud PC devices designed for Windows 365 When organizations move more workloads to the cloud, they can simplify their endpoint strategyβ€”making it easier for IT to manage and scale. To help organizations on this journey, in 2024, Microsoft in...

Announcing two new hardware devices from #Asus and #Dell for connecting to #Windows365. Learn more about both of these in our latest blog
blogs.windows.com/windowsexper...

26.02.2026 19:51 πŸ‘ 0 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
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Every Monday in March is #Microsoft #TechnicalTakeoff2026. Learn how we build resiliency into #AVD & #Windows365 & add-ons to improve your workload resiliency. Mon 2nd of March at 11:30 PST: "Resiliency with Windows 365 and Azure Virtual Desktop"
aka.ms/TechnicalTakeoff

23.02.2026 16:53 πŸ‘ 0 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
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Azure Default Outbound Access Changes: Guidance for Windows 365 ANC Customers | Microsoft Community Hub After March 31, 2026, newly created Azure Virtual Networks (VNets) will no longer have default outbound internet access enabled by default. Windows 365...

Are you using #Windows365 with Azure Network Connections (ANC)? After March 31st 2026, any new #Azure vNets you use with an ANC will no longer have outbound internet access enabled by default. Therefore read this article from Kathryn Jakubek to know more: techcommunity.microsoft.com/discussions/...

12.02.2026 15:09 πŸ‘ 0 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
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Azure’s Default Outbound Access Changes: Guidance for Azure Virtual Desktop Customers | Microsoft Community Hub After March 31, 2026, newly created Azure Virtual Networks (VNets) will no longer have default outbound internet access (DOA) enabled by default. Azure...

Are you using #AzureVirtualDesktop and likely to create a new #AzureVirtualNetwork after March 31st 2026? If yes then you need to be aware they will not support outbound internet access by default.

Kathryn Jakubek tells what you what need to know here: techcommunity.microsoft.com/discussions/...

12.02.2026 15:03 πŸ‘ 0 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
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Windows 365 now supported in New Zealand North New Zealand North region joins Windows 365, enabling lower latency and stronger data residency for Cloud PC users.

#Windows365 is now available in #NewZealand.

Today we announce support for Windows365 form the #Azure New Zealand North region.

This is another example of meeting our customers where they are as we continue to expland the service.

techcommunity.microsoft.com/blog/windows...

11.02.2026 18:21 πŸ‘ 1 πŸ” 3 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
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Announcing general availability of RDP Shortpath configuration via GPO and Microsoft Intune Centrally manage RDP Shortpath for Azure Virtual Desktop and Windows 365 using GPO and Intune

You can now configure #RDP Shortpath via both Group Policy and #Intune policies for #AzureVirtualDesktop and #Windows365

Make your life easier with centralised management of these important connectivity settings.

All the details are here: techcommunity.microsoft.com/blog/Windows...

28.01.2026 22:04 πŸ‘ 2 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
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Windows 365 now supported in Brazil South - Windows IT Pro Blog Brazil South joins Windows 365’s supported regions, enabling lower latency and improved resiliency for Cloud PCs.  

#Windows365 is now fully available in the #Brazil South #Azure region:

techcommunity.microsoft.com/blog/windows...

26.01.2026 22:13 πŸ‘ 0 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
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Last week we announced the preview of Regional host pools in #AVD
Today we are adding support for the Azure portal.
For customers in the preview when deploying host pools to Central US or East US 2 you will see a new Deployment Scope drop-down box:
aka.ms/avdregional

23.01.2026 12:08 πŸ‘ 0 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
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Now in public preview: Azure Virtual Desktop regional host pools - Azure Virtual Desktop Blog In order to increase resilience Azure Virtual Desktop is enabling new regional host pools  

Azure Virtual Desktop now supports regional host poolsβ€”boosting resilience & data sovereignty by storing metadata in your chosen Azure region. Public preview live in East US 2 & Central US. Get ready for global rollout! Details: aka.ms/avdregional #AzureVirtualDesktop #AVD

12.01.2026 21:36 πŸ‘ 0 πŸ” 1 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
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Introducing resiliency improvements with Microsoft Hosted Network - Windows IT Pro Blog Increase resilience for your Cloud PC estate by using the latest innovations within Microsoft Hosted Network networks  

Significant resiliency and data sovereignty enhancements landing for #Windows365 Microsoft Hosted Network. As Windows 365 and Azure expand globally, these improvements rethink how region selection and availability should operate, as part of the service: techcommunity.microsoft.com/blog/windows...

17.12.2025 18:55 πŸ‘ 0 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
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Preparing for what’s next: Windows security and resiliency innovations help organizations mitigate risks, recover faster and prepare for the era of AI Today, weΒ introduced agentic platform and cloud-powered flexibility capabilities into Windows that bring together human creativity and intelligent agents. To fully embrace these ag

#Windows365 #Reserve is GA
Reserve is a new offering that supports a user’s productivity when their physical device is unavailable or short-term access is needed by providing them with quick & secure access to work resources via a temporary Cloud PC. blogs.windows.com/windowsexper...

18.11.2025 16:39 πŸ‘ 3 πŸ” 1 πŸ’¬ 1 πŸ“Œ 0

Here is great overview from Scott Manchester of many of the new #Windows365 updates and new features we have announced at #MicrosoftIgnite:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RHXAEFJ2cFQ

18.11.2025 16:36 πŸ‘ 1 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 1 πŸ“Œ 0
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Windows 365 Link - What's new for the first Cloud PC device -Windows IT Pro Blog The simple, secure, purpose-built device for Windows 365 is coming to seven more countries and getting new features.  

#Windows365 Link enhancements. Now available in 13 countries and expanding to Belgium, Finland, Ireland, Italy, Poland, Singapore and Spain in the first quarter of 2026.
With multiple product updates coming in the first quarter of 2026
Further information: aka.ms/Windows365Li...

18.11.2025 16:16 πŸ‘ 1 πŸ” 1 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
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Windows 365 Frontline updates and Cloud Apps general availability - Windows IT Pro Blog Windows 365 Frontline has been enhanced with new capabilities, including Windows 365 Cloud Apps, User Experience Sync, and more  

#Windows365 User experience sync
Windows 365 User experience sync preserves user settings and app configurations across Windows 365 Frontline in shared mode sessions, delivering a consistent experience even on nonpersistent VMs
Further details: techcommunity.microsoft.com/blog/windows...

18.11.2025 16:15 πŸ‘ 0 πŸ” 1 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
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Windows 365 Frontline updates and Cloud Apps general availability - Windows IT Pro Blog Windows 365 Frontline has been enhanced with new capabilities, including Windows 365 Cloud Apps, User Experience Sync, and more  

#Windows365 Cloud Apps is now generally available.
Cloud Apps allow administrators to publish just specific apps delivered from the cloud instead of a full Cloud PC.
Further details: techcommunity.microsoft.com/blog/windows...

18.11.2025 16:14 πŸ‘ 0 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 1
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Windows 365 for Agents unlocks secured, scalable AI automation - Windows IT Pro Blog Unlock secured, scalable AI agent power β€” discover Windows 365 for Agents, built for the future of agentic work.     

#Windows365 for Agents is now in preview.
Windows 365 for Agents provides a powerful, platform for agent makers to design, test, and deploy computer using agents (CUAs) to operate securely and efficiently on Cloud PCs anywhere they’re deployed.
techcommunity.microsoft.com/blog/windows...

18.11.2025 16:13 πŸ‘ 0 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
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Keyboard Input Protection for Windows 365 and Azure Virtual Desktop now in preview - Windows IT Pro Blog Protect against keylogging malware and other threats with new input protection capabilities in Windows 365 and Azure Virtual Desktop      

Keyboard Input Protection for #Windows365 and #AzureVirtualDesktop is now in preview.

Further protect your Windows365 Cloud PCs and you Azure Virtual Desktop session host VMs using new Windows Cloud I/O Protection capabilities.

Read the details here: techcommunity.microsoft.com/blog/windows...

18.11.2025 16:12 πŸ‘ 1 πŸ” 1 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
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Now in public preview: Ephemeral OS disk support on Azure Virtual Desktop - Azure Virtual Desktop Blog Azure Virtual Desktop now supports Ephemeral OS disk in public preview, experience fast, stateless session hosts.   

#AzureVirtualDesktop now supports non-persistent session hosts in public preview. This is great if need stateless workloads where the VMs revert back to a base image after use.
Here are all of the details to get started now: techcommunity.microsoft.com/blog/azurevi...

15.10.2025 20:11 πŸ‘ 0 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
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Employees can bring Copilot from their personal Microsoft 365 plans to work - what it means for IT | Microsoft Community Hub Today, we made some exciting announcements for Microsoft 365 Personal, Family and the new Premium plans. Among them is how employees can use Copilot from...

Bring your own Copilot to work.

#Microsoft has enabled multiple account access for Microsoft 365 #Copilot.
This enables employees to use their own Copilot from personal #Microsoft365 plans still controlled by IT. Further details are available here:
techcommunity.microsoft.com/blog/microso...

07.10.2025 13:41 πŸ‘ 1 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
LinkedIn This link will take you to a page that’s not on LinkedIn

External Identities is now in public preview for #AzureVirtualDesktop and #Windows365. This allows you to invite external identities into your Entra Tenant and then present them resources.
All the details are available here:
learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/...

01.10.2025 20:24 πŸ‘ 0 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
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Extending Copilot in Intune to manage Windows 365 Cloud PCs - Windows IT Pro Blog Copilot in Intune now supports Windows 365 with natural language prompts    

You can now make use of #Copilot in #Intune to better manage #Windows365.
Now generally available, this brings AI insights into your management experience in Intune for your #CloudPC estate.
Full details are available here:
techcommunity.microsoft.com/blog/windows...

17.09.2025 16:32 πŸ‘ 1 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
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Microsoft Dev Box capabilities are coming to Windows 365 - Microsoft Dev Box Discover how Microsoft Dev Box capabilities are transitioning to Windows 365, offering unified solutions for developers and IT admins starting November 2025.

#Microsoft #DevBox capabilities will be transition to native #Windows365.
Dev Box - the Azure service that provides developer project based development environments will start to move to Windows 365 starting from the 1st of November.
learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/...

17.09.2025 16:21 πŸ‘ 0 πŸ” 1 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 1
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Windows 365 Cloud Apps in public preview - Windows IT Pro Blog  Learn more about Windows 365 Cloud Apps, a new way to securely stream Windows apps to any device. 

It's all about the apps.
We have enabled the public preview of #Windows365 #CloudApps.
This brings just the applications required by end users, and not the full desktop of the CloudPC running the apps. This is running on top of the #Frontline Shared W365: techcommunity.microsoft.com/blog/windows...

17.09.2025 15:57 πŸ‘ 0 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
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Windows 365 Boot, Connection Center & improved experience - generally available - Windows IT Pro Blog Windows 365 Boot is generally available and now includes Windows 365 Connection Center, Cloud PC selection at logon, and more.  

New updates now available in #Windows365 #Boot.
Improvements for Connection Centre, Troubleshooting, Support for Cross Region Disaster Recovery, display settings and a smoother login experience:
techcommunity.microsoft.com/blog/windows...

17.09.2025 09:26 πŸ‘ 1 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
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Microsoft invests $30 billion in UK to power AI future The relationship between the United Kingdom and the United States has long been more than a matter of diplomacy β€” it’s a friendship rooted in shared ideals and mutual ambition. Across generations, our...

#Microsoft is investing Β£22 billion into the UK to drive #AI, #Cloud infrastructure and the largest supercomputer in the country:

blogs.microsoft.com/on-the-issue...

16.09.2025 19:47 πŸ‘ 0 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 1
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Enhancing AVD and Windows 365 experience with health checks - Windows IT Pro Blog Diagnostic platform designed to proactively identify and resolve issues on end-user devices, improving reliability and performance across supported...

We are improving the end user experience of #Windows365 and #AzureVirtualDesktop in the #WindowsApp. Starting in public preview are Health Checks inside the Windows App.

Check out further details here: techcommunity.microsoft.com/blog/windows...

15.09.2025 19:02 πŸ‘ 0 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
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Cross-region Disaster Recovery for Windows 365 Frontline (dedicated mode) - Windows IT Pro Blog Announcing the general availability of Cross-region Disaster Recovery for Windows 365 Frontline  

#Windows365 Cross Region Disaster Recovery is now generally available for #Frontline Dedicated. This has been available for some time for Enterprise. Today we announce the same support for Frontline in dedicated mode. Same capability same resilience: techcommunity.microsoft.com/blog/windows...

10.09.2025 18:46 πŸ‘ 1 πŸ” 2 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
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Windows 365 is now supported in Korea Central - Windows IT Pro Blog Windows 365 is now available in Korea Central, bringing Cloud PCs closer to users for better performance.  

We have now enabled #Windows365 from South Korea. You can now deploy #CloudPCs to the Korea Central Azure region. This enables local data sovereignty and reduced latency within the area. techcommunity.microsoft.com/blog/windows...

27.08.2025 16:31 πŸ‘ 2 πŸ” 3 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
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Enhancing business continuity: Windows 365 Reserve is now in limited public preview! | Microsoft Community Hub Announcing gated public preview of Windows 365 Reserveβ€”secure Cloud PC access from anywhere when you need it most 

#Windows365 Reserve is now available in limited public preview.
Reserve is a way to be productive when your primary device is unavailable for whatever reason.
Read more and sign up for this preview here:
techcommunity.microsoft.com/blog/windows...

11.08.2025 17:02 πŸ‘ 0 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0