Azure Virtual Desktop (AVD) is Microsoft’s cloud service for delivering Windows desktops and applications from Azure to any device. Users connect from a laptop, thin client, Mac, tablet or browser and get a full Windows desktop or individual apps that run in Azure, not on the local device. Microsoft manages the connection brokering, gateway and load-balancing infrastructure; you manage the virtual machines (session hosts), images and policies. AVD’s standout feature is Windows 11 Enterprise multi-session, which lets several users share one virtual machine and significantly reduces cost compared with one VM per user.
Planning a rollout? Our Azure Virtual Desktop deployment services cover design, host pools, FSLogix profiles, security and cost control for UAE and GCC organizations.
How Azure Virtual Desktop works
| Component | What it does |
|---|---|
| Host pool | A group of identical session host VMs — pooled (shared) or personal (one per user) |
| Session hosts | The Azure VMs running Windows where users actually work |
| Application groups | Define whether users get a full desktop or specific published apps |
| Workspace | What users see when they sign in — their available desktops and apps |
| FSLogix profile containers | Store user profiles on Azure Files so any session host loads the same profile |
| Microsoft-managed control plane | Brokering, gateway, diagnostics and web access, run by Microsoft |
Users authenticate through Microsoft Entra ID, so the same MFA and Conditional Access policies that protect Microsoft 365 also protect the virtual desktop.
Common use cases
- Secure remote and contractor access — data stays in Azure; nothing is stored on the contractor’s device.
- Regulated workloads — finance, healthcare and government teams can keep data in a controlled environment and block copy, print and download.
- Legacy line-of-business apps — publish an old Windows application to Mac or mobile users without rewriting it.
- Seasonal or project teams — scale desktops up for a project and down when it ends.
- Replacing on-premises VDI — retire ageing Citrix or Remote Desktop Services infrastructure and its hardware refresh cycle.
- Graphics and engineering workloads — GPU-enabled VMs for CAD and design teams.
What does Azure Virtual Desktop cost?
There is no separate AVD platform fee for internal users. Eligible users are usually already licensed through Microsoft 365 E3, E5, A3, A5, F3 or Business Premium, or Windows Enterprise E3/E5. What you pay for is Azure infrastructure:
- Compute — the session host VMs, by size and hours running. This is usually the biggest cost.
- Storage — OS disks plus Azure Files or Azure NetApp Files for FSLogix profiles.
- Networking — outbound data transfer and any VPN or ExpressRoute connectivity.
- Supporting services — backup, monitoring and security tooling.
External users, such as customers using your published app, require separate per-user access pricing. Exact costs depend on region, VM family and usage patterns, so model them with the Azure pricing calculator against your real working hours.
Five ways to control AVD cost
- Use pooled multi-session host pools for knowledge workers instead of personal desktops.
- Configure autoscale scaling plans so VMs shut down outside working hours and scale with demand.
- Enable Start VM on Connect for personal desktops.
- Buy reserved instances or savings plans for the baseline capacity that always runs.
- Right-size VMs monthly using actual CPU and memory data — part of good cloud FinOps.
Data residency for UAE organisations
Session hosts and profile storage can be deployed in Azure’s UAE regions (UAE North in Dubai and UAE Central in Abu Dhabi), so user data and applications stay in the country. AVD service metadata is stored in specific Microsoft geographies, so organisations with strict residency requirements should check Microsoft’s current documentation on metadata locations during design.
How to deploy Azure Virtual Desktop
- Assess users, applications, peak concurrency and performance needs.
- Prepare the landing zone — networking, identity, and connectivity to any on-premises systems. Our Azure infrastructure setup service covers this foundation.
- Build a golden image with Windows 11 multi-session, Microsoft 365 Apps and your line-of-business software.
- Create host pools, application groups and workspaces, and configure FSLogix.
- Apply security — Conditional Access, MFA, Defender for Endpoint, and RDP property restrictions on clipboard, drive and printer redirection.
- Pilot with a small user group, measure experience, then roll out in waves.
- Operate — image patching, scaling, monitoring and cost reviews.
AVD vs Windows 365
Windows 365 Cloud PC offers a fixed monthly price per user for a dedicated, always-available cloud PC with simpler management. AVD offers more flexibility, multi-session cost savings and app-only publishing, but needs more Azure skills. Organisations with predictable, full-time users often prefer Windows 365; those with shift workers, contractors or legacy apps often prefer AVD. Deciding how much to run in-house is similar to the choice discussed in Azure pay-as-you-go vs managed Azure services.
Deploy AVD with M365 Enterprise Hub
We design, deploy and manage Azure Virtual Desktop environments for organisations in the UAE and the US, as part of our wider Microsoft Azure cloud services. Contact us for an AVD sizing and cost estimate.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Azure Virtual Desktop used for?
Azure Virtual Desktop is used to deliver secure Windows desktops and applications from Azure to any device. Common uses include remote and contractor access, regulated workloads, legacy applications, and replacing on-premises VDI.
Is Azure Virtual Desktop free with Microsoft 365?
Eligible Microsoft 365 and Windows Enterprise licences cover the right to use AVD for internal users, so there is no separate platform fee. You still pay for the Azure compute, storage and networking that run the desktops.
What is Windows multi-session?
Windows 11 Enterprise multi-session is an edition available only in Azure Virtual Desktop and related services that lets multiple users sign in to the same virtual machine at once, reducing the number of VMs needed.
Can Azure Virtual Desktop run in the UAE?
Yes. Session hosts and storage can be deployed in Azure UAE North or UAE Central, keeping user data in the country. Check Microsoft documentation for where AVD service metadata is stored.
What is the difference between Azure Virtual Desktop and Windows 365?
Windows 365 provides a dedicated cloud PC per user at a fixed monthly price with simpler management. Azure Virtual Desktop is consumption-based, supports multi-session and app publishing, and offers more control but requires more Azure expertise.
Does Azure Virtual Desktop work on Mac and mobile?
Yes. Microsoft provides clients for Windows, macOS, iOS and Android, as well as a web client that runs in a browser.