Accelerating developer productivity with Windows 365 | OD855
Roop Kiran Chevuri and Phil Gerity present a Microsoft Build 2026 session on using Windows 365 Cloud PCs to improve developer productivity while keeping enterprise security and governance in place.
Overview
The session focuses on Windows 365 as a development platform that supports secure, automated provisioning of Cloud PCs, developer-ready images, and consistent cross-device workflows. It also introduces Windows 365 for Agents, positioning Cloud PCs as a way to give AI agents access to GUI apps, legacy systems, and scalable environments under enterprise management.
Windows 365 as a secure development platform
- Addresses common developer challenges by providing a consistent Cloud PC environment accessible across devices and locations.
- Emphasizes enterprise-grade security and governance while enabling flexible development setups.
- Highlights performance enhancements and “professional grade” Cloud PC capabilities for development workloads.
Demo: multi-device development with Cloud PCs
- Demonstrates seamless development across multiple devices using a persistent Cloud PC.
- Positions Windows 365 as a way to keep developer workflows consistent regardless of endpoint device.
Windows 11 developer configuration image (public preview)
- Announces the launch of a Windows 11 developer configuration image in public preview.
- Frames this as a developer-ready starting point for Cloud PCs.
Custom Cloud PC setups and governance
- Discusses balancing developer customization with enterprise governance.
- Covers using curated images and controlled configuration to meet organizational requirements.
Running AI workloads on Cloud PCs
- Covers running local language models and other AI workloads directly on Cloud PCs.
- Connects this to the broader shift toward AI-assisted development.
GitHub Copilot across devices
- Highlights GitHub Copilot integration in cross-device workflows, with persistent development environments.
Windows 365 for Agents
- Introduces Windows 365 for Agents, described as providing agents with Cloud PCs.
- Identifies three enterprise gaps it aims to solve:
- GUI access
- Legacy application access
- Scale
Architecture themes mentioned
- Cloud PCs as the execution environment for agents
- MCP tools as part of the integration story
- Enterprise management controls applied to agent Cloud PCs
Demo: MCP integration and real-world agent use case
- Demonstrates integrating MCP with a real-world use case using Simular’s agent on a Cloud PC.
IT admin and security controls
- Shows IT admin provisioning via Microsoft Intune, including creating Cloud PC policies.
- Mentions developer marketplace images and custom image workflows using Azure Compute Gallery.
- Covers security controls such as:
- Context-based redirection
- Conditional Access
- Demonstrates managing and provisioning AI agent Cloud PCs through Intune.
Resources
- https://aka.ms/build26-next-steps
- Microsoft Build sessions: https://build.microsoft.com