Azure Virtual Desktop Architecture

Azure Virtual Desktop (AVD) provides a Microsoft managed service for hosting virtual desktops in Azure that is an alternative to Windows Server Remote Desktop Services (RDS). This illustration provides an overview of the major components of AVD.

AVD offers a set of Microsoft-hosted virtual desktop management services (shown in the upper box) that support the roles traditionally provided by Windows Server RDS. These include services for Web access to virtual desktop hosts, diagnostics, load balancing, and other infrastructure roles. These services are maintained by Microsoft and do not require any additional licensing, and the customer does not have to apply updates or patches.

The Azure VMs that serve virtual desktops are hosted in the customer’s Azure tenancy. These VMs can include single-user VMs running Enterprise editions of Windows 10 and 11, as well as session host VMs running Windows Server 2016 or greater, or the specialized multi-session editions of Windows 10 or 11 Enterprise that are exclusive to AVD and identify as Windows Server. AVD provides basic tools for deployment of Azure VMs into a customer’s tenancy, and VM images preloaded with Microsoft 365 Apps for enterprise are available in the Azure Marketplace. However, the customer is required to package their VM images with any organization-specific applications required by users, and to maintain and update the VM images as OS and application updates become available.