Azure Virtual Desktop Adds New Security Features, Storage Enhancements

Cloud Computing

Microsoft has announced some new capabilities for its Azure Virtual Desktop service. The top requested feature should help organizations to enhance endpoint security, configuration, storage, and employee experience.

Microsoft has introduced FSLogix profiles support for Azure AD-joined VMs in Azure Virtual Desktop. The feature lets users access file shares from Azure AD-joined VMs in order to store FSLogix profile containers. The VHD Disk Compaction feature lets users automatically decrease the storage space of a user’s container during the sign-out process.

“Next, we’ve added a new process during the sign-out phase which creates an AppX package manifest for employees. This enables faster app launch experiences the next time they sign in as the manifest is used to re-register the AppX applications. And lastly, when employees delete data from a session, we now roam their Recycle Bin which allows them to restore it from another session,” Microsoft explained.

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Configure new endpoint security policies

Microsoft has announced the general availability of Microsoft Intune user scope configuration for Azure Virtual Desktop multi-session Virtual Machines (VMs). The feature enables IT Pros to configure user certificates, PowerShell scripts, and settings catalog.

Azure Virtual Desktop Insights at scale

Additionally, Azure Virtual Desktop Insights at Scale feature is now generally available for customers. The feature provides a central hub to view insights from different resources. For instance, IT admins can simultaneously monitor diagnostic and connection details for multiple subscriptions.

Azure Virtual Desktop Adds New Security Features, Storage Enhancements

Security features

Microsoft has added watermarking support in public preview on Azure Virtual Desktop. The security feature is designed to protect sensitive information shared on client devices. It’s now possible to enable private endpoint access for workspaces and session hosts within a virtual network. Microsoft has also introduced RDP Shortpath support to enhance the transport reliability of Azure Virtual Desktop connections.

Azure Virtual Desktop Adds New Security Features, Storage Enhancements

Microsoft Teams application window sharing support for Azure Virtual Desktop

Lastly, Microsoft Teams application window-sharing support is generally available for Azure Virtual Desktop. Previously, it was only possible to share a Microsoft PowerPoint Live presentation or full desktop during Teams meetings. This capability enables users to share a specific window directly from their desktop screens. Microsoft also released a new Multimedia Redirection (MMR) feature to improve the video playback experience on Azure Virtual Desktop.