Table of Contents
Introduction
Microsoft stated that Windows Virtual Desktop (WVD), the Azure-based system for virtualizing the Windows and Office user experience it is now commonly available.
Applying WVD, companies can give their employees access to use virtualized applications and remote desktops, which includes the facility to provide multi-session Windows 10 experiences. This is something that establishes Microsoft’s own apart from the vendors that offer virtualized Windows desktops and applications.
In extension to making the service commonly available, Microsoft is also rolling it out worldwide. However, the preview was in the U.S. only, and the initial plan was to roll it out globally gradually.
Scott Manchester, the leading engineering for WVD, also told that more than 20,000 companies signed up for the preview.
He further saw that Microsoft Teams is getting enhanced support in WVD with a significantly developed video conferencing experience.
The Role of FSLogix
Soon after announcing the preview of WVD, Microsoft obtained a company called FSLogix. This company specializes in provisioning the same sort of virtualized Windows conditions that Microsoft gives through WVD.
Microsoft’s corporate VP mentioned that ahead of this announcement; the company got a lot of the know-how from FSLogix to assure that the user experience on WVD is as stable as possible.
He also stressed that the FSLogix purchase allowed his team to work with the Office team to optimize the user experience there.
Due to this, when you spin up a new virtualized version of Outlook, for example, it will just take seconds to load instead of a minute.
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The Deployment Status
Plenty of companies are also yet seeing to upgrade their old Windows 7 deployments.
Microsoft will discontinue providing free security patches for them very soon.
However, on WVD, these users will still be capable of getting access to virtualized Windows 7 desktops with free security updates until January 2023.
Brad Anderson, CVP of Microsoft 365, does not think that this will be a significant driver for WVD adoption. However, he does notice pockets of customers who are working on their transition.
Companies can access Windows 10 Enterprise and Windows 7 Enterprise on WVD at no extra licensing cost.
Although, of course, the Azure sources they use will cost them if they don’t have a suitable Windows 10 Enterprise or Microsoft 365 license.
Conclusion
Microsoft’s Windows Virtual Desktop (WVD) service is revolutionizing the way businesses provide virtualized desktops and applications. By leveraging Azure’s capabilities, WVD offers businesses the flexibility of multi-session Windows 10 experiences, giving employees the ability to access applications and desktops remotely. With FSLogix’s integration, the user experience has significantly improved, particularly in terms of speed and efficiency for tools like Outlook. The global rollout of WVD is underway, making it an attractive solution for businesses seeking to modernize their infrastructure and move to the cloud. Moreover, WVD allows continued access to Windows 7 desktops with security updates until January 2023, providing a smoother transition for companies still on older systems.
As the demand for remote work and cloud services grows, WVD is positioned to become a key part of Microsoft’s overall strategy for virtualized environments, with robust support for Microsoft Teams and other productivity tools.
FAQs
- What is Windows Virtual Desktop (WVD)?
- WVD is a cloud-based service by Microsoft that allows businesses to run virtualized Windows desktops and applications, including multi-session Windows 10 environments. It helps companies offer remote work solutions with a seamless user experience.
- What is the role of FSLogix in WVD?
- FSLogix, a company acquired by Microsoft, specializes in optimizing virtualized Windows environments. It enhances the WVD experience, particularly in improving the speed of applications like Outlook.
- Will Windows 7 still be supported on WVD?
- Yes, users can access virtualized Windows 7 desktops with free security updates on WVD until January 2023, giving companies more time to transition to newer systems.
- What licenses do I need for WVD?
- Companies can access Windows 10 Enterprise and Windows 7 Enterprise on WVD at no extra cost, but they will need the appropriate Azure resources and a suitable Windows 10 Enterprise or Microsoft 365 license.
- How does WVD improve the user experience?
- WVD, combined with FSLogix technology, ensures faster load times and a more efficient experience, particularly for users of Office apps like Outlook, which now load in seconds rather than minutes.
- Is WVD available globally?
- Yes, while WVD initially started in the U.S. as a preview, Microsoft is now rolling it out globally to provide companies around the world with virtualized desktop solutions.
