What It Is, How It Works, and Why You Should Enable It When deploying Azure Virtual Desktop (AVD), many organizations focus on the basics: host pools, user assignments, and session host sizing. However, performance optimization is just as important, especially for latency-sensitive workloads like Microsoft Teams or remote support tools. This is where RDP Shortpath…
I recently ran into a frustrating issue while working in a domain-joined Azure Virtual Desktop (AVD) environment. Everything appeared to be configured correctly — Conditional Access policies were in place, token folders were cleaned up, and the BrokerPlugin workaround had already been implemented. Yet, despite all of this, users were still getting stuck in an…
Understanding Azure Backup Immutable Vault: Security, Benefits, and Challenges Introduction Data security and resilience are at the core of any modern IT strategy. Microsoft Azure offers several mechanisms to ensure business continuity, one of which is the Immutable Vault for Azure Backup. This feature is designed to protect backup data from accidental or malicious deletion…
Creating a Golden Image for Azure Virtual Desktop: A Step-by-Step Guide Setting up Azure Virtual Desktop (AVD) can be a game-changer for IT management, allowing you to deliver a secure, consistent desktop experience to users anywhere. At the core of a streamlined AVD deployment is the golden image—a template virtual machine (VM) configured with everything…
Microsoft’s Windows Server Management enabled by Azure Arc brings cutting-edge capabilities to organizations leveraging Windows Server licenses with active Software Assurance or subscription licenses. This blog post will walk you through the core benefits, requirements, and a step-by-step activation guide, both via the Azure Portal. Why Enable Windows Server Management via Azure Arc? Enabling Windows…
Microsoft Phases Out WSUS: Embracing Modern Update Management with Azure Arc, Intune, and Azure Update Manager Microsoft’s recent decision to deprecate Windows Server Update Services (WSUS) marks a major shift for IT administrators who have relied on it for years to manage updates. WSUS will still be available and functional in Windows Server 2025, but…
Connecting Non-Azure AD Joined Devices to Azure Virtual Desktop (AVD): Adding RDP Properties for Seamless Access In a typical Azure Virtual Desktop (AVD) setup, Windows and non-Windows clients need specific configurations to connect successfully if they aren’t Azure AD joined to the same tenant as the AVD virtual machines. For Windows clients that aren’t joined…
Resolving Unexpected Windows 11 Multi-Session License Key Changes in Azure Virtual Desktop with PowerShell Automation I recently encountered a unique issue within my Azure Virtual Desktop (AVD) environment running Windows 11 Enterprise Multi-Session. This problem specifically arose in the EASTUS region, where the product key on some session hosts unexpectedly changed from Windows 11 Enterprise…
Unlock Secure and Effortless Authentication with Microsoft Entra ID Temporary Access Pass (TAP) In my continuous journey of exploring how Microsoft solutions enhance security, I’ve found that Microsoft Entra ID’s Temporary Access Pass (TAP) is a game-changer for simplifying authentication processes. TAP is designed to help users onboard, recover access, or transition to passwordless authentication…
Unlocking the Power of File Integrity Monitoring (FIM) with Microsoft Defender for Cloud and Microsoft Defender for Endpoint As part of Microsoft’s continuous efforts to enhance cloud security, the integration of File Integrity Monitoring (FIM) with Microsoft Defender for Endpoint (MDE) has entered public preview under Defender for Servers Plan 2. This September 2024 release…
Azure Virtual Desktop User Session Insights Workbook Understanding user activity and session health is essential for optimizing any Azure Virtual Desktop (AVD) environment. The User Session Insights Workbook in Azure Monitor provides detailed insights into user sessions, helping administrators monitor performance, troubleshoot connection issues, and enhance overall user experience. How to Access the User Session…
Understanding Azure Policy: Definitions, Assignments, Exemptions, Policies, and Initiatives In today’s rapidly growing cloud environments, governance and compliance are critical to ensuring that your resources are managed efficiently and securely. Azure Policy provides a robust framework to define and enforce organizational standards and assess compliance at scale. In this blog, we will explore the foundational…