Shared PCs have long served as a practical solution for extending digital access to frontline and shift-based workers. However, the absence of individual logins poses significant challenges for organizations, particularly in maintaining security, enforcing compliance, and streamlining IT support. A recent study by Forrester sheds light on how Windows 365 Link and Windows 365 can effectively address these issues, offering a straightforward, secure, and cloud-powered Windows experience tailored for shared environments.
Windows 365 Link, the first Cloud PC device specifically designed by Microsoft for Windows 365, became generally available in select markets in April 2025, with plans for broader expansion later this year. The Forrester Consulting study titled New Technology: The Projected Total Economic Impact™ of Windows 365 Link, July 2025, commissioned by Microsoft, evaluates how organizations can enhance productivity, bolster security, and reduce costs through the deployment of Windows 365 Link.
Windows 365 Link contributes to a positive financial impact
The Forrester study outlines a framework for assessing the potential financial benefits for organizations implementing Windows 365 Link alongside Windows 365 for both frontline and desk-based knowledge workers in shared spaces. The findings indicate a remarkable return on investment, projected to reach up to 195% over six years for a composite organization comprising 2,000 employees, 500 contractors, and generating billion in annual revenue.
Based on interviews with six IT decision-makers experienced with Windows 365 Link and surveys from 212 respondents, the study anticipates a net present value ranging from .6 million to .6 million. The projected financial benefits over six years for the composite organization are categorized as follows:
- End-user productivity gains: 22%-30% of unproductive time saved due to enhanced responsiveness and fewer hardware issues, translating to .4 million – .3 million.
- Strengthened security: Devices devoid of local data, adminless users, passwordless authentication, and automatic updates yield savings of .5 million – .7 million.
- Reduced hardware costs: Transitioning from traditional desktops to Windows 365 Link is projected to save 8,000 – .2 million over a six-year lifecycle.
- IT time savings: Moving away from traditional desktops can save up to 90% on provisioning and decommissioning tasks, and up to 30% on maintenance, amounting to 9,000 – 5,000.
- Accelerated onboarding: New desk-based knowledge workers can be onboarded up to one week faster, resulting in savings of 2,000 – 7,000.
Windows 365 Link improves efficiency for end-users and IT
Participants in the study who utilized Windows 365 Link in conjunction with Windows 365 Enterprise or Windows 365 Frontline reported significant improvements in productivity, security, and cost-effectiveness. Here are some insights from those involved in the study:
“I’ve been doing this for a very long time and, previously, it would take us days or weeks to get a device image ready to do something like this. The Windows 365 Link device is very much a no fuss, clean experience. It’s easy for IT, and easy for users,” shared a Cloud Endpoint Solutions Lead in IT Services.
“Our device setup time went from 1.5 hours down to 10 to 15 minutes. It’s at least 60-70% less time that IT needs to invest to get Windows 365 Link devices operational,” remarked the Head of Workplace Design in Manufacturing.
“Get a device, clear a device, clean the device, prep the device, ship the device — across all the different sites, that time adds up. With the Windows 365 Link device we save most of that time,” noted a Solutions Architect for End-User Services in Energy.
“We estimate Windows 365 Link will be five to 10 times better for our end-users than current thin clients. It will provide faster connections, better web conferencing, and flexibility for new hires,” stated the General Manager of Corporate IT in Information Services.
“When we move to a Windows 365 Link device, users don’t receive a device they can tamper with. I manage everything via Microsoft Intune and there are no local administrators, so it’s a lot more secure,” explained a Modern Workplace Product Manager in Telecom.
“It’s security, cost efficiency, and sustainability benefits in one little black box. The costs are already lower than a laptop or desktop, and with the extended lifecycle, it’s far less expensive even when factoring in the cost of the Windows 365 license,” concluded a Global Service Owner for VDI in Manufacturing.
Explore how Windows 365 Link can benefit your organization
To delve deeper into the advantages of deploying Windows 365 Link in shared spaces, refer to the Forrester study: New Technology: The Projected Total Economic Impact™ of Windows 365 Link, July 2025.
For organizations interested in acquiring Windows 365 Link for frontline or desk-based workers utilizing Windows 365, please reach out to your Microsoft account team or select resellers in Australia, Canada, Germany, Japan, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, and the United States. We are also expanding availability to new markets, including Denmark, France, India, the Netherlands, Sweden, and Switzerland, anticipated later this year.
