What’s new for Azure Virtual Desktop – October & November 2024
Intorduction
The team behind Azure Virtual Desktop (AVD) has introduced some exciting new features over the past two months. Unfortunately, these updates were somewhat “overshadowed” by the announcements regarding Copilot and Security made at Ignite in November 2024. Still, if you’re a fan of AVD technology, as I am, you won’t want to miss out! Let’s dive into the latest features and documentation updates from November and October!
Session Host Configuration and Update is now in public preview
AVD now allows you to configure session hosts by defining the underlying virtual machine disk type, OS image, and other properties for newly created pooled host pools. The session host update feature enables modifications to be rolled out to existing hosts in batches, minimizing downtime by replacing old virtual machines with new ones configured as needed. Learn more:Session host update for Azure Virtual Desktop
Dynamic Autoscaling is now in public preview
The new dynamic autoscaling feature lets you adjust the available capacity within the host pool by creating, deleting, or turning session hosts on and off (the only scaling “power management autoscaling”can do) . This functionality is currently available for pooled host pools that utilize session host configurations. Learn more:Create and assign an autoscale scaling plan for Azure Virtual Desktop
App-V Apps Deployment is now in public preview
Microsoft Application Virtualization (App-V) is now integrated within AVD, enabling the delivery of Win32 applications as virtual applications. These apps are installed on centrally managed servers and delivered to users as needed, creating a seamless user experience. Learn more:App attach and MSIX app attach in Azure Virtual Desktop
Applications can be delivered from partner solutions with app attach is now available
Azure Extended Zones have become available for AVD, allowing low-latency and data-residency workloads to run close to end users. This feature is particularly beneficial for applications that require quick responses and high throughput. Learn more:Azure Virtual Desktop on Azure Extended Zones
Azure Virtual Desktop for Azure Local (Rebranding)
All existing features of AVD for Azure Stack HCI are now available in select versions of AVD for Azure Local.
However, Windows Server 2025 is still not officially supported. Key limitations include:
Host Pool Composition: Each host pool must consist only of session hosts from either Azure or Azure Local; mixing is not permitted.
Performance Variability: Performance and user density on Azure Local may differ from Azure due to hardware and networking differences. Use AVD’s sizing guidelines for initial estimates and monitor post-deployment.
AD DS Requirement: Session hosts on Azure Local can only join an Active Directory Domain Services (AD DS) domain, including Microsoft Entra hybrid join for added functionality.
If you are using Windows Server OS for your deployment of session hosts, AVD now supports Windows Server 2025. Learn more:Operating systems and licences
FIDO devices and passkeys support on macOS and iOS
The Windows App and Remote Desktop app have added support for FIDO devices and passkeys for Microsoft Entra ID sign in on macOS and iOS devices Learn more:Azure Virtual Desktop identities and authentication
Documentation Updates
Updated Autoscale Content: The documentation now includes information about dynamic autoscaling.
Azure Local Updates: All references to Azure Stack HCI have been updated to Azure Local.
App-V Support: Updated articles to reflect App-V support for app attach.
Windows Server 2025: Now included as a supported OS for AVD session hosts.
October 2024 Updates
Yubikey smart card redirection on iOS and iPadOS is now in preview
In collaboration with Yubico, AVD now features YubiKey smart card redirection for iOS and iPadOS. This integration supports the latest YubiKey 5 portfolio. Learn more:YubiKey support
AVC Mixed Mode
AVC Mixed Mode is now available for AVD and Windows 365 in the default graphics profile, which leads to better performance in network-constrained environments by using AVC/h.264 for encoding image content when multimedia redirection is disabled. Learn more:Graphics encoding over the Remote Desktop Protocol
New Teams SlimCore Features
The integration of SlimCore into Microsoft Teams on AVD supports chat, collaboration, calling, and meeting functionality by redirecting media to local devices. This leads to improved performance and reliability on supported platforms. Learn more:Use Microsoft Teams on Azure Virtual Desktop
Image naming is now consistent when selecting images from the dropdown menu. Since all new images published are Gen2, the post-fix will be removed from the display name in dropdowns, with Gen1 only added when necessary. This change does not affect naming in the Azure Marketplace.
