Microsoft Virtual Desktop Service is now Available
Windows Virtual Desktop is a new cloud service that delivers a multi-user Windows 10 experience that is optimized to work with Office 365 Pro Plus. The new offering makes it significantly easier to scale Windows 10 and Office deployments on Azure and comes with built-in security and compliance. Announced in 2018 at Microsoft Ignite, the Virtual Desktop Service is intended to help companies with adopting Azure cloud services while better supporting legacy applications.
Microsoft is hoping to get customers who are willing to virtualize their Windows 7 desktops, they will offer extended service updates for the OS through January of 2023. For customers who will not be able to meet the migration deadline for the aging OS, WVD is an option to reduce risk exposure once support has ended.
With strong adoption during preview, it is likely that Microsoft will provide solid support for fast adoption of this service. Some exciting notes on adoption and licensing:
- If you virtualize desktops or apps with Windows 10 or Windows 7, there is no additional cost if you are a Microsoft 365 E3, E5, Business, F1, A3 or A5 customer or a Windows 10 Enterprise E3, E5, A3 or A5 customer.
- Access Windows Server 2012 R2 or newer with Windows Virtual Desktop at no additional cost if you are a Microsoft Remote Desktop Services (RDS) Client Access License (CAL) customer.
- Customers can also access Windows 10 and Windows 7 with Windows Virtual Desktop from their non-Windows Pro endpoints if they have a M365 E3/E5 or VDA per user license
It will be interesting to watch the product evolution within Azure and Office 365 ecosystems as adoption of this virtualization service looks to be well accepted by enterprises and small businesses alike.
Sources:
https://www.petri.com/microsofts-new-virtual-desktop-service-is-here-and-ready-for-legacy-apps