Already able to test Windows 11 on Azure Virtual Desktop

In 2019, Microsoft launched the Windows Virtual Desktop service to deliver a multi-user Windows 10 experience from the cloud. Currently, Windows Virtual Desktop has been renamed to Azure Virtual Desktop.

Azure Virtual Desktop has become a popular cloud VDI platform for running computers and applications in the cloud and delivering a full Windows experience to users anywhere. Even more, Azure Virtual Desktop provides simplified management, optimized for Office 365 ProPlus and supports Remote Desktop Services environments.

Along with Windows 10, Windows 7 and Windows Server, Microsoft has just announced that they have added Windows 11 to the list of operating systems that work on Azure Virtual Desktop.

Already able to test Windows 11 on Azure Virtual Desktop Picture 1

Enterprise and Education customers can now access Azure Virtual Desktop to test out the Windows 11 Insider Preview. Because it is a virtual machine environment, customers are free to set up their tests.

With Windows 11, Azure Virtual Desktop still offers exclusive multi-session support, a feature that helps businesses optimize costs by allowing multiple users to share a single Azure virtual machine. You can use Trusted Launch to enable TPM 2.0 for secure boot, taking full advantage of the security capabilities of Windows 11.

The Windows 11 experience on Azure Virtual Desktop will be the same as on a desktop. However, some graphics effects may require proper GPU support.

You can go to Azure Marketplace and choose from the following three versions of Windows 11:

1. Windows 11 Enterprise (Preview)
2. Windows 11 Enterprise multi-session (Preview)
3. Windows 11 Enterprise multi-session + Microsoft 365 Apps (Preview)

Windows 11 for PCs is expected to be released to users later this year.

David Pac

Update 24 August 2021