Windows 365 Frontline Shared Cloud PC Setup with Intune
If your organization has shift workers, retail staff, or healthcare workers who don’t need a dedicated PC — Windows 365 Frontline in shared mode is worth looking at.
Here’s how it works and how to set it up in Intune.
What Is Windows 365 Frontline Shared Mode?
Windows 365 Frontline shared mode is a non-persistent Cloud PC. That means users get a clean session every time they log in, and all data is wiped when they sign out.
It’s built for workers who share devices in shifts — think retail counters, hospital floors, or call centres. One license covers one active session at a time. Multiple users can share the same Cloud PC, just not at the same time.
This makes it significantly cheaper than assigning a dedicated Cloud PC to every worker.
License Model at a Glance
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| License model | 1 license = 1 active session |
| User data | Wiped on sign-out (non-persistent) |
| User experience sync | Optional (saves app data, up to 16 GB) |
| Max Cloud PCs per policy | 5,000 |
| Physical device required | No |
The optional User Experience Sync feature is worth enabling. It saves per-user app data to cloud storage so users get a consistent experience even without a persistent session.
Step 1 — Create a Provisioning Policy in Intune
Head to:
Intune Admin Center → Devices → Device Onboarding → Windows 365 → Provisioning Policies → + Create Policy
Fill in these settings:
- License type: Frontline
- Frontline type: Shared
- Join type: Microsoft Entra Join
- Network: Microsoft hosted network
- Single sign-on (SSO): Enabled
- Image: Gallery image (e.g., Windows 11 Enterprise + Microsoft 365 Apps 25H2)
- Device name template: Something like
FSCPC-%RAND:9% - User experience sync: Yes
- Autopilot Device Preparation: Attach a policy if needed
Keep the naming template consistent with your org’s naming convention so devices are easy to identify later.
Step 2 — Assign the Policy
Assign the provisioning policy to a user group — for example, W365 – Frontline CPC Users.
A few things to keep in mind:
- There’s no hard limit on how many users can be in the group
- Only as many sessions as you have licenses can run at the same time
- Pick a Cloud PC size that matches your Frontline license (e.g., 2vCPU / 8 GB RAM / 128 GB storage)
Step 3 — Monitor Provisioning
Once the policy is saved and assigned, provisioning kicks off automatically. It usually takes 10–15 minutes.
You can track the status under:
Devices → Windows 365 → All Cloud PCs
Watch for the provisioning state to move from Provisioning to Provisioned.
End User Experience
Users don’t need to do anything complicated. Here’s their flow:
- Open the Windows App on any device
- Sign in with their Microsoft account
- Go to Devices
- Double-click their assigned Cloud PC
- Start working
When they’re done, they sign out — the session resets and the next user gets a clean machine.
Who Should Use This?
Windows 365 Frontline shared mode is a good fit when:
- Workers rotate in shifts and don’t need persistent data
- You want to cut licensing costs vs. dedicated Cloud PCs
- You need a managed, consistent experience without managing physical hardware
- Users work across locations (retail branches, clinics, support desks)
Final Thoughts
Setting this up in Intune is straightforward. The provisioning policy takes about 5 minutes to configure, and devices are ready in under 15. Combined with User Experience Sync, it gives shift workers a clean but personalized-enough experience without the overhead of full persistent desktops.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the difference between Windows 365 Frontline dedicated and shared mode?
In dedicated mode, each user gets their own Cloud PC. In shared mode, multiple users share a single Cloud PC — but only one person can use it at a time, and the session resets after sign-out.
Q: Does user data persist after sign-out in shared mode?
No. By default, all session data is wiped after sign-out. But if you enable User Experience Sync, app data (up to 16 GB) is saved to cloud storage and reloaded on the next login.
Q: How many users can share one Windows 365 Frontline license?
There’s no fixed user limit. One license = one active session at a time. You can assign the policy to any number of users — they just can’t all be active simultaneously.
Q: Do users need a physical device to access their Cloud PC?
No. Users just need the Windows App on any device — Windows, Mac, iOS, or Android — to connect to their Cloud PC.
Q: How long does provisioning take?
Usually 10–15 minutes after the policy is saved and assigned in Intune.
Q: What join type is recommended for Frontline Shared Cloud PCs?
Microsoft Entra Join is recommended. It works with Microsoft hosted networks and supports SSO out of the box.
Q: Can I use Autopilot Device Preparation with Frontline Shared Cloud PCs?
Yes. You can optionally attach an Autopilot Device Preparation policy during provisioning for additional configuration control.
Q: Who is Windows 365 Frontline Shared mode best for?
It’s built for shift workers — retail staff, healthcare workers, call centre agents, and anyone who needs temporary, managed access to a Windows environment without a dedicated machine.
