Tutorial / Cram Notes
Microsoft offers a variety of subscription services that cater to different needs, which can sometimes lead to confusion among consumers and businesses. Three primary offerings in their stable are Office 365, Microsoft 365, and Windows 365. Here, we explore the differences between these services, which is particularly relevant for individuals preparing for the MS-900 Microsoft 365 Fundamentals exam.
Office 365
Originally launched in 2011, Office 365 refers to a suite of productivity applications that Microsoft offers through a cloud-based subscription service. The core applications typically include Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, OneNote, and depending on the plan, it may also include other services like Exchange, SharePoint, and Teams.
Office 365 is available in several editions tailored to different users, including personal, business, enterprise, education, and nonprofit plans. These services primarily run on a user’s devices and are updated regularly with the latest features and security updates.
Microsoft 365
Microsoft 365 represents a more holistic package that was introduced in 2017. It bundles together the best of Office 365 with additional offerings like Windows 10 (upgradable to Windows 11 where applicable) licenses and Enterprise Mobility + Security (EMS), providing users with an all-encompassing service that covers productivity apps, operating system, and advanced security measures.
Microsoft 365 is intended for businesses and enterprises that are looking for an integrated solution for their employees. Plans for Microsoft 365 include business, enterprise, education, and consumer tiers, with additional services and security features catered to varying organizational sizes and needs.
Windows 365
Windows 365 is the newest member of the Microsoft cloud family, introduced in 2021. It is a Cloud PC platform that allows users to stream their Windows experience from the Microsoft cloud to any device. With Windows 365, users get a full Windows 10 or Windows 11 environment that can be accessed remotely. This service focuses on providing a secure, flexible, and always up-to-date Windows experience, ideal for businesses with remote workforces or BYOD policies.
Windows 365 simplifies the IT management of desktops since the operating system is not running on the user’s hardware but in the cloud. This setup allows for a variety of configurations to meet different workloads and performance needs.
Comparison Table
| Feature / Service | Office 365 | Microsoft 365 | Windows 365 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Core Offering | Productivity apps | Productivity apps + OS + Security | Cloud-based Windows desktop |
| Applications | Word, Excel, PowerPoint, etc. | Same as Office 365 + more depending on the plan | Access to Windows and applications from the cloud |
| Operating System | Not included | Windows 10/11 licenses included | Windows 10/11 as a cloud service |
| Security | Basic | Advanced (with EMS) | Physical hardware independent; managed in the cloud |
| Device Management | Not included | Included with Enterprise Mobility + Security | Built-in with cloud management |
| Use Case Example | Individual and team productivity, document creation, and collaboration | Integrated business solution with productivity, management, and security features | Remote and hybrid workforces, secure and scalable virtual desktop solution |
Selecting the Right Service
When choosing between Office 365, Microsoft 365, and Windows 365, it’s important to align the service with the specific needs of the user or organization.
- Office 365 is best suited for individuals or businesses that require only the core productivity applications and are comfortable managing their own device and security settings.
- Microsoft 365 is ideal for organizations that need a comprehensive solution that includes not only productivity tools but also enhanced security features and device management capabilities.
- Windows 365 is tailored towards businesses that need to provide their workforce with flexible, remote access to a Windows environment with the ability to scale quickly and securely.
Understanding the distinctions between these services is critical for candidates studying for the MS-900 Microsoft 365 Fundamentals exam, as they are fundamental not only to making informed decisions about which Microsoft services to adopt but also to appreciating the broad capabilities of the Microsoft cloud ecosystem.
Practice Test with Explanation
Office 365 includes Windows operating system licenses.
- True
- False
Answer: False
Explanation: Office 365 is a suite of cloud-based productivity applications like Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook. It does not include operating system licenses.
Microsoft 365 is a comprehensive solution that includes which of the following components?
- A. Windows operating system
- B. Office 365
- C. Enterprise Mobility + Security (EMS)
- D. All of the above
Answer: D. All of the above
Explanation: Microsoft 365 is a bundle that includes Office 365, Windows operating system, and Enterprise Mobility + Security (EMS) to provide a complete, intelligent solution.
Microsoft 365 is only available for businesses and not for individual consumers.
- True
- False
Answer: False
Explanation: Microsoft 365 is available in different plans tailored for businesses, educational institutions, and individual consumers.
Windows 365 is a cloud service that:
- A. Offers only the Windows operating system.
- B. Provides a full Windows 10 or 11 experience streamed to any device.
- C. Includes Office 365 productivity tools.
- D. Is the same as Windows 10 or Windows 11, just with a different name.
Answer: B. Provides a full Windows 10 or 11 experience streamed to any device.
Explanation: Windows 365 is a cloud service that streams a full Windows experience, including apps, data, and settings, to personal or corporate devices, distinguishing it from a traditional operating system that is installed on hardware.
Office 365 subscriptions are generally licensed with a per-user monthly or annual subscription model.
- True
- False
Answer: True
Explanation: Office 365 uses a subscription model where users can pay on a monthly or annual basis per user.
Microsoft 365 replaces Office 365 entirely.
- True
- False
Answer: False
Explanation: Microsoft 365 does not replace Office 365; rather, it includes Office 365 as part of its bundle, along with additional services like Windows OS licenses and EMS.
Windows 365 Cloud PC requires an Internet connection to access your desktop.
- True
- False
Answer: True
Explanation: Windows 365 Cloud PC is a cloud-based service, and accessing your Cloud PC requires an Internet connection.
Which of the following is a benefit exclusive to Windows 365 over Microsoft 365 services?
- A. Collaboration tools through Microsoft Teams
- B. Advanced security features
- C. Personalized cloud-based Windows desktop
- D. Online versions of the Office apps
Answer: C. Personalized cloud-based Windows desktop
Explanation: The exclusive benefit of Windows 365 is that it provides a personalized cloud-based Windows desktop experience while Microsoft 365 services focus on productivity, collaboration, and security.
Enterprise Mobility + Security is included only in Microsoft 365, not Office
- True
- False
Answer: True
Explanation: Enterprise Mobility + Security (EMS) is a component of Microsoft 365, designed to help manage and secure users and devices, which is not included in the Office 365 suite.
Microsoft 365 Business Premium provides cybersecurity features like threat protection and information protection.
- True
- False
Answer: True
Explanation: Microsoft 365 Business Premium includes advanced cybersecurity features such as threat protection and information protection, catering to business security needs.
Which offering is best for a company that needs cloud-based virtual desktops without additional productivity applications?
- A. Office 365
- B. Microsoft 365
- C. Windows 365
- D. Microsoft Office Professional
Answer: C. Windows 365
Explanation: Windows 365 is the best fit for a company that needs cloud-based virtual desktops, as it provides a personalized desktop experience streamed to any device over the cloud without bundling other productivity applications.
Can Office 365 applications be used offline?
- True
- False
Answer: True
Explanation: Office 365 applications such as Word, Excel, and PowerPoint can be installed on a computer, allowing users to work offline. However, certain features and the ability to collaborate real-time require an Internet connection.
Interview Questions
What is Microsoft 365, and how does it differ from Office 365?
Microsoft 365 is a more comprehensive cloud-based solution that includes Office 365, as well as additional tools and services like Microsoft Teams, OneDrive, and security and compliance features. Office 365 is a cloud-based suite of productivity applications, but does not include the additional tools and services available in Microsoft 365.
What are some of the additional tools and services included in Microsoft 365?
In addition to Office 365, Microsoft 365 includes tools and services like Microsoft Teams, OneDrive, SharePoint, Yammer, and security and compliance features like Advanced Threat Protection and Azure Information Protection.
What are the different plans available for Office 365, and how do they differ?
There are several different Office 365 plans available, including Business Basic, Business Standard, Business Premium, Apps for Business, and Enterprise plans. Each plan offers different features and pricing options to suit the needs of different organizations.
What are the different plans available for Microsoft 365, and how do they differ?
There are several different Microsoft 365 plans available, including Business Basic, Apps for Business, Business Standard, Business Premium, and Enterprise plans. Each plan offers different features and pricing options to suit the needs of different organizations.
What is Microsoft Teams, and how can it help organizations work more collaboratively?
Microsoft Teams is a collaboration hub that integrates chat, video conferencing, and file sharing in a single platform. This allows users to collaborate in real-time and streamline their workflows.
What is OneDrive, and how can it help organizations and individuals store and share files?
OneDrive is a cloud-based storage solution that allows users to access their files from any device and share them with others. This helps individuals and organizations work more collaboratively and efficiently.
What are some of the security and compliance features included in Microsoft 365?
Microsoft 365 includes security and compliance features like Advanced Threat Protection, Azure Information Protection, and Data Loss Prevention, which help organizations protect their data and comply with regulatory requirements.
What is Windows 365, and how does it differ from Microsoft 365?
Windows 365 is a new cloud-based solution that allows users to stream Windows 10 or Windows 11 from the cloud to any device, providing a secure and scalable way to access Windows applications and data. It differs from Microsoft 365 in that it focuses specifically on providing a cloud-based Windows environment, rather than a suite of productivity applications and tools.
What are the different plans available for Windows 365, and how do they differ?
There are several different Windows 365 plans available, including Business, Enterprise, and Education plans. Each plan offers different features and pricing options to suit the needs of different organizations.
How can Microsoft’s cloud-based solutions help organizations work more flexibly?
Microsoft’s cloud-based solutions allow users to access their applications and data from any location and on any device, which can help organizations work more flexibly and efficiently. Additionally, these solutions can help organizations save money on hardware and infrastructure investments by allowing them to scale up or down their use of resources as their needs change.
Office 365 is just the suite of productivity tools like Word, Excel, etc. Microsoft 365 includes Office 365, plus Windows 10/11 and Enterprise Mobility + Security.
Windows 365 is actually a cloud service that supports running a fully functional Windows environment. It’s like Windows as a Service.
Thanks for the explanation!
Can someone tell me if I need to purchase Microsoft 365 to get Windows 365?
What’s the main difference between Office 365 and Microsoft 365 at the admin level?
Appreciate this blog post!
Windows 365 sounds pretty similar to traditional VDI solutions, anyone knows how they differ?
I’m still a bit confused about the licensing for Windows 365.