Your Windows desktop, anywhere, on Azure Virtual Desktop.
Azure Virtual Desktop gives staff a full Windows desktop or individual apps from any device, while data and applications stay in the cloud. We design, build and run it for you.
What Azure Virtual Desktop covers
What is Azure Virtual Desktop?
Azure Virtual Desktop, or AVD, is Microsoft’s cloud desktop service. Instead of each person having a full computer that runs everything locally, their desktop runs in Azure and they connect to it from a laptop, a thin client, a tablet or a browser. Their files and applications stay in the data centre.
It suits remote and hybrid teams, businesses with applications that need to sit close to a database, contractors and seasonal staff who should not have company data on their own devices, and companies replacing an ageing remote desktop server.
AVD is a platform, not a product you switch on. It needs a network, identity, profile storage, images, scaling rules and security, and these decisions determine cost and user experience.
AVD can host two kinds of resources. Full desktops give a complete Windows environment. RemoteApp publishes individual applications that appear on the user’s own computer as if they were local. Both come from pools of session hosts, which are VMs running Windows 11 or Windows Server.
Windows 11 Enterprise multi-session lets several users share one VM, which lowers the cost per user compared with giving everyone a dedicated machine. It is available only in Azure and in AVD.
What Azure Virtual Desktop can do.
Windows 11 multi-session
Several users share a single VM for a lower cost per user.
Full desktops and RemoteApp
Deliver a full desktop, or just the applications people need.
FSLogix profile containers
User profiles and Outlook data follow people between sessions and machines.
Autoscale
Scaling plans start and stop session hosts based on the working day to save money.
Works with Intune and Entra ID
Join session hosts to Entra ID and manage them like other devices.
Secure by design
Conditional access, MFA, screen capture protection and watermarking help protect data.
Any device and any place
Windows App, web browser and thin clients on Windows, Mac, iOS and Android.
Teams and multimedia optimization
Audio, video and Teams calls are redirected so they work smoothly.
How Azure Virtual Desktop works.
Design
Decide pooled or personal desktops, sizes, regions and user groups.
Build
Create the network, host pool, image, FSLogix storage and app groups.
Secure
Apply conditional access, MFA, endpoint protection and device rules.
Operate
Autoscale, patch, monitor and support the environment and its users.
What happens behind the scenes.
A user signs in with their work account. Entra ID authenticates them and conditional access applies. The AVD gateway then brokers a connection to a session host in the host pool, using the Remote Desktop protocol. When they sign in, FSLogix attaches their profile so settings and files appear.
Applications are installed on a master image or delivered with MSIX app attach. When the image is updated, new session hosts are built from it and old ones are retired, so every user gets the same environment. Scaling plans power hosts on and off to match demand.
How it benefits your business.
AVD reduces the data risk of remote work. Company data does not need to be stored on personal or contractor laptops, and a lost or stolen device exposes nothing. Access can be limited by identity, device and location.
It simplifies support. Because desktops come from standard images, there are fewer unique machines to fix, and a problem solved once is solved for everyone. New starters can be given access in minutes.
It also makes it easier to run demanding applications for remote staff. Software that needs a fast link to a database can run next to it in Azure, and users connect over the internet with a lightweight client.
The benefits at a glance.
Work from anywhere safely
Data stays in Azure, not on laptops.
Faster onboarding
Give a new user access in minutes.
Lower endpoint cost
Run on thin clients or older laptops.
Consistent experience
Everyone gets the same managed desktop.
Scales with demand
Add or remove capacity for seasonal work.
Replaces old RDS servers
Modernize remote desktop infrastructure.
Pricing: Access rights are included with eligible Microsoft 365 and Windows licences. You pay for the Azure compute, storage and networking that host the desktops. Azure prices and features change, so we confirm current pricing and design to a budget before you commit.
What this looks like day to day.
A firm of 35 uses a remote desktop server in the office that is slow and out of support. Infinity builds an Azure Virtual Desktop environment with multi-session hosts, FSLogix profiles and the firm’s accounting application. Staff connect from home with MFA, and when someone leaves, access is removed at once.
This is an illustrative example of how the service is used, not a description of a specific client.
Mistakes we see, and how we avoid them.
Under sizing and slow logons
Profile storage and VM size drive performance. Test with real users.
No cost controls
Hosts left running overnight add up. Use autoscale and budgets.
Treating it like a desktop replacement only
Applications, printing and peripherals need planning.
Weak access rules
Without MFA and conditional access, a cloud desktop is another door to attack.
Azure Virtual Desktop with Infinity.
AVD design and pilot
Architecture, sizing and a pilot with real users.
Learn moreImage and application management
Golden images, app packaging and monthly updates.
Learn moreFSLogix and storage
Profile storage on Azure Files with the right performance tier.
Learn moreSecurity and access
MFA, conditional access and endpoint protection.
Learn moreAutoscale and cost control
Scaling plans, reservations and budget alerts.
Learn moreHelp desk support
User support for logon, printing and applications.
Learn moreWhat is the difference between Azure Virtual Desktop and Windows 365?
Windows 365 gives each user a dedicated Cloud PC at a fixed monthly price. AVD is more flexible, with pooled desktops and autoscale, but needs more design. We help you choose.
Do we need Microsoft 365 licences?
AVD access rights are included with eligible Microsoft 365 and Windows licences. You pay separately for the Azure resources. We confirm what you already own.
Can staff use Macs and tablets?
Yes. Users connect with the Windows App or a browser from many types of device.
Is it faster than our office remote desktop?
It can be, when designed well and placed in the right Azure region. We test performance before rollout.
Can it run our legacy applications?
Many Windows applications work. We test them first.
Talk to us about Azure Virtual Desktop.
Book a free consultation. We will look at your current setup and show you where it fits.
Tell us about your IT.
We answer almost every inquiry within one business day.