Source URL: https://www.theregister.com/2025/03/04/windows_365_disaster_recovery_plus/
Source: The Register
Title: Windows 365 Disaster Recovery Plus promises Cloud PC comebacks in 30 minutes
Feedly Summary: Presumably hosted by AWS?
Microsoft has launched Windows 365 Disaster Recovery Plus, a service designed to rapidly bring Cloud PCs back online in the event of an outage.…
AI Summary and Description: Yes
Summary: Microsoft has introduced Windows 365 Disaster Recovery Plus, enhancing cloud disaster recovery solutions for Cloud PCs with significantly improved recovery times. This new service, aimed at enterprise users, responds to recent outages and emphasizes the necessity of effective disaster recovery strategies in cloud computing.
Detailed Description:
Microsoft’s announcement of Windows 365 Disaster Recovery Plus is a significant development in the landscape of cloud services and disaster recovery. Here’s a breakdown of the major points:
– **Service Overview**: The new service allows rapid restoration of Cloud PCs in the event of an outage, reducing recovery time objectives (RTO) considerably.
– Standard RTO without Disaster Recovery Plus can be up to four hours.
– With Disaster Recovery Plus, RTO can be reduced to as little as 30 minutes for Cloud PC tenants managing up to 50,000 Cloud PCs in a region.
– **Target Audience**:
– Aimed at enterprise users who experience unplanned downtime.
– Particularly relevant for organizations that are heavily reliant on Microsoft’s online services.
– **Functionality and Limitations**:
– The service retains access to all installed applications and settings based on the latest restore point.
– However, it does not save ongoing work; Microsoft recommends utilizing OneDrive or SharePoint for document management during recovery.
– **Context of Launch**:
– The announcement follows recent outages experienced by Microsoft 365 users, including a significant downtime in January and issues with Outlook due to a code change.
– This rollout may be partly in response to recognized needs for dependable recovery solutions.
– **Competitive Landscape**:
– Microsoft faces competition from other service providers like Citrix, which offers its managed Desktop as a service for disaster recovery.
– This competition highlights the importance of innovative solutions in maintaining enterprise productivity during downtimes.
– **Market Readiness**:
– Administrators already familiar with disaster recovery plans will likely appreciate this advancement.
– The service is currently available as a licensed add-on in preview, with expectations of further pricing clarity in the near future.
Overall, Windows 365 Disaster Recovery Plus represents a critical enhancement in cloud computing security and service reliability, particularly for enterprises that must ensure minimal disruption to their operations during unforeseen outages.