Microsoft Introduces Enhanced Security Defaults for Windows 365 Cloud PCs

Microsoft has announced a significant update to the security posture of its Windows 365 Cloud PCs, introducing new secure-by-default capabilities designed to fortify virtual desktop environments against modern cyber threats.

These changes, set to roll out in the second half of 2025, reflect Microsoft’s ongoing commitment to its Secure Future Initiative (SFI) and the evolving needs of hybrid and remote workforces.

Key Security Enhancements

The update introduces two major categories of security improvements for all newly provisioned and reprovisioned Windows 365 Cloud PCs:

• Default Disabling of Device Redirections: Clipboard, drive, USB, and printer redirections will be disabled by default. This measure is aimed at minimizing the risk of data exfiltration and malware injection, which can occur when files are transferred between Cloud PCs and physical devices. By blocking these common attack vectors, Microsoft seeks to ensure that sensitive corporate data remains within the secure boundaries of the cloud environment.

Notably, while USB redirections are generally disabled, essential peripherals such as mice, keyboards, and webcams—managed through high-level redirection—will remain fully functional.

The new policy specifically targets low-level USB redirection, which is often exploited for data theft or malware delivery, without disrupting everyday productivity tools.

• Advanced Security Controls Enabled by Default: For Cloud PCs running Windows 11 gallery images, Microsoft is now enabling virtualization-based security (VBS), Credential Guard, and hypervisor-protected code integrity (HVCI) by default. These technologies work together to create secure memory enclaves, protect authentication credentials, and ensure only verified code can run at the kernel level, thereby significantly reducing the risk of credential theft and kernel-level exploits.

The rollout will be gradual, with IT administrators receiving notifications via banners in the Microsoft Intune Admin Center.

These banners will provide information about the new defaults and direct admins to documentation on how to override settings if specific redirection capabilities are needed for business workflows.

Overrides can be managed through Intune device configuration policies or Group Policy Objects (GPOs), ensuring flexibility for organizations with unique requirements.

For existing Cloud PCs, the new defaults will only apply if the devices are reprovisioned from the provisioning policy page.

IT admins wishing to adopt the new security posture for shared or frontline Cloud PCs must manually trigger reprovisioning after the changes go live.

These enhancements are not limited to Windows 365; the same redirection lockdowns will be applied to new host pools in Azure Virtual Desktop, ensuring consistent security across Microsoft’s cloud desktop infrastructure. 

The changes are part of a broader industry trend toward hardened security baselines, as organizations grapple with increasingly sophisticated cyber threats in a cloud-first world.

By embedding these security settings as defaults, Microsoft is making robust protection the standard for virtual desktops, reducing the burden on IT teams and helping organizations comply with regulatory requirements.

While some user workflows may be impacted, the strengthened defenses represent a decisive step forward in safeguarding sensitive data and maintaining business continuity in the digital age.

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