Azure Virtual Desktop

Deliver affordable, secure remote desktop and application experiences to employees wherever they are.

Why choose Azure Virtual Desktop

Access virtualized Windows 11 and Windows 10 desktops and apps with the security and reliability of Azure.

Provide remote desktops and apps to employees

Secured virtual machines

Configure and deploy virtual machines delivering Windows 11 and Windows 10 desktop and application experiences.

Analyze connection quality

Familiar Windows experiences

Control and resilience

Have Microsoft manage all aspects of the control plane for you, giving you a resilient global footprint.

Flexible networking options

Use networking options such as Azure Private Link and RDP Shortpath for additional security and reliability.

Host pool management

Multi-session capabilities

Windows 11 and Windows 10 multi-session help cut costs by allowing multiple users on a single virtual machine at the same time.

Cost-efficient cloud migration

Reduce licensing and IT infrastructure costs by moving on-premises solutions to Azure Virtual Desktop.

Pay-per-use model

Scale consumption on demand. Pay for compute capacity by the second, with no long-term commitments or upfront payments.

Modernize your Citrix or VMware deployment

Deploy Azure Virtual Desktop into existing desktop and app virtualization environments with Citrix DaaS for Azure or VMware Horizon Cloud Service on Microsoft Azure.

Citrix customers can deploy Windows 11 and Windows 10 Enterprise multi-session on Azure Virtual Machines.

VMware customers can deploy Windows 11 and Windows 10 Enterprise multi-session on Azure Virtual Machines.

Gartner names Microsoft a Leader

Microsoft was named a Leader in the inaugural 2023 Gartner® Magic Quadrant™ for Desktop as a Service.

Choose the best option to fit your needs

Azure Virtual Desktop

This flexible cloud virtual desktop infrastructure (VDI) platform delivers secured desktops and apps with maximum control.

Windows 365

This software-as-a-service solution delivers a secured, personalized Windows experience from the cloud to any device.

Trusted by the world's most innovative brands

Eurowings enhances security and will reduce operating costs by more than 50% with Azure Virtual Desktop.

Campari Group improves security and access for more than 1,000 contractors worldwide through Azure Virtual Desktop.

Grant Thornton UK saves hundreds of hours a year by using Azure Virtual Desktop and Windows 365.

Minimize costs with Azure Virtual Desktop

• Pay only for what you need with usage-based pricing along with other cost optimization options, such as:
  • Scaled consumption on demand
  • Payment for compute capacity by the second
  • No long-term commitments or upfront payments

  

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  Network guidelines

  View network guidelines for applications and displays on Azure Virtual Desktop.

  

  Virtual machine sizing guidelines

  Learn about virtual machine sizing guidelines for different workloads on Azure Virtual Desktop.

  

  Technical documentation and quickstarts

  Learn how to deploy the optimal environment and explore options for migrating to Azure Virtual Desktop.

  

  Azure blog and updates

  Read the Azure blog and subscribe to Azure updates for the latest news and information on Azure products.

  Frequently asked questions Expand all Collapse all

  Who is Azure Virtual Desktop for?

  Azure Virtual Desktop is for organizations with expertise implementing and managing virtual desktop infrastructure (VDI) solutions that want to give employees a secured, remote Windows desktop experience that’s fit for many use cases.

  How does Azure Virtual Desktop work?

  The virtual desktop infrastructure—including broker, gateway, load balancer, and diagnostics—is managed by Azure Virtual Desktop. IT only needs to manage Windows 11 and Windows 10 remote desktops, apps, and any necessary governance policies.

  How do I buy Azure Virtual Desktop?

  Customers can configure, purchase, and manage Azure Virtual Desktop through the Azure Portal. At least one Azure subscription is required to set up Azure Virtual Desktop. Learn about Azure Virtual Desktop pricing

  What are the Client licensing requirements for Azure Virtual Desktop?

  • Microsoft 365 E3/E5
  • Microsoft 365 A3/A5/Student Use Benefits
  • Microsoft 365 F3
  • Microsoft 365 Business Premium
  • Windows 11 and Windows 10 Enterprise E3/E5
  • Windows 11 and Windows 10 Education A3/A5
  • Windows 11 and Windows 10 VDA E3/E5

  What are the server licensing requirements for Azure Virtual Desktop?

  Customers are eligible to access server workloads with Azure Virtual Desktop if they have a Remote Desktop Services client access license with active Software Assurance or user subscription licenses. Customers pay for the virtual machines, storage, and networking consumed when using the service.

  What is remote app streaming and why would an organization use it?

  Remote app streaming allows organizations to use Azure Virtual Desktop as a platform as a service (PaaS) to provide its apps as software as a service (SaaS). Organizations can use it to deliver apps to their customers over a secure network through virtual machines.

  What is Azure Virtual Desktop for Azure Stack HCI?

  Azure Virtual Desktop for Azure Stack HCI (preview) is a feature that lets customers deploy Azure Virtual Desktop session hosts on their on-premises Azure Stack HCI. It isn’t an Azure Arc–enabled service and isn’t supported outside of Azure in a multi-cloud environment or on Azure Arc–enabled servers other than Azure Stack HCI virtual machines. Learn more about Azure Virtual Desktop for Azure Stack HCI