Azure Windows Virtual Desktop (WVD) is fast-becoming the solution of choice for organisations looking for a reliable, secure and cost-efficient solution to remote working. Accessible and affordable for all businesses, it’s easier to set up and manage than a traditional virtual desktop solution. Windows Virtual Desktop combines the scale, security, and cost benefits of Azure and Microsoft 365 for a secure remote desktop from anywhere. RDS license – to run Remote Desktop Services (RDS) in Azure, you need to obtain an RDS license either through a SPLA agreement or through your CSP Provider using CSP Software Subscriptions. The Azure portal is your management hub for Windows Virtual Desktop. Configure network, deploy desktop, and enable security with a few clicks. Setup automated scaling with Logic Apps and manage your images efficiently with Azure image gallery. You focus on your desktop apps and policies and Azure will focus on managing the rest.
Since everyone started working remotely, I've personally needed to Remote Desktop into more computers lately than ever before. More this week than in the previous decade.
I wrote recently about to How to remote desktop fullscreen RDP with just SOME of your multiple monitors which is super useful if you have, say, 3 monitors, and you only want to use 2 and 3 for Remote Desktop and reserve #1 for your local machine, email, etc.
Description Use the Microsoft Remote Desktop app to connect to a remote PC or virtual apps and desktops made available by your admin. The app helps you be productive no matter where you are. Getting Started Configure your PC for remote access first.
IMHO, the Remote Desktop Connection app is woefully old and kinda Windows XP-like in its style.
There is a Windows Store Remote Desktop app at https://aka.ms/urdc and even a Remote Desktop Assistant at https://aka.ms/RDSetup that can help set up older machines (earlier than Windows 10 version 1709 (I had no idea this existed!)
The Windows Store version is nicer looking and more modern, but I can't figure out how to get it to Remote into an Azure Active Directory (AzureAD) joined computer. I don't see if it's even possible with the Windows Store app. Let me know if you know how!
So, back to the old Remote Desktop Connection app. Turns out for whatever reason, you need to save the RDP file and open it in a text editor.
Add these two lines at the end (three if you want to save your username, then include the first line there)
Note that you have to use the style .AzureADemail@domain.com
The leading .AzureAD is needed - that was the magic in front of my email for login. Then enablecredsspsupport along with authentication level 2 (settings that aren't exposed in the UI) was the final missing piece.
Microsoft Azure Remote Desktop Server
Add those two lines to the RDP text file and then open it with Remote Desktop Connection and you're set! Again, make sure you have the email prefix.
The Future?
Given that the client is smart enough to show an error from the remote machine that it's Azure AD enabled, IMHO this should Just Work.
More over, so should the Microsoft Store Remote Desktop client. It's beyond time for a refresh of these apps.
Microsoft Azure Remote Desktop Services
NOTE: Oddly there is another app called the Windows Desktop Client that does some of these things, but not others. It allows you to access machines your administrators have given you access to but doesn't allow you (a Dev or Prosumer) to connect to arbitrary machine. So it's not useful to me.
There needs to be one Ultimate Remote Windows Desktop Client that lets me connect to all flavors of Windows machines from anywhere, is smart about DPI and 4k monitors, remotes my audio optionally, and works for everything from AzureAD to old school Domains.
Between these three apps there's a Venn Diagram of functionality but there's nothing with the Union of them all. Yet.
Until then, I'm editing RDP files which is a bummer, but I'm unblocked, which is awesome.
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About Scott
Scott Hanselman is a former professor, former Chief Architect in finance, now speaker, consultant, father, diabetic, and Microsoft employee. He is a failed stand-up comic, a cornrower, and a book author.
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What is Microsoft Azure RemoteApp?
Microsoft Azure RemoteApp allows employees to work remotely, via any internet-based device, while business applications are run on a Windows server in the Azure cloud.
End-of-Life announcement of Microsoft Azure RemoteApp
Back in August 2016, Microsoft announced the End-of-Life of Microsoft Azure RemoteApp. Microsoft also announced that Microsoft Azure RemoteApp would no longer be sold to new customers after October 2016, but they continued to support their existing customers until the end of August 2017. From then on, Microsoft Azure RemoteApp hasn’t been available.
Microsoft Azure Remote Desktop Download
Does Microsoft have any plans in the pipeline for a new RemoteApp?
Microsoft announced their partnership with Citrix and that they are working together to develop the next generation of the Azure RemoteApp service: the new Citrix Virtual Apps (formerly Citrix XenApp) Essentials Service (previously XenApp “express”). Citrix will improve upon Microsoft’s vision of Azure RemoteApp by using their Citrix Virtual Apps (formerly Citrix XenApp) technology to provide additional management, user experience, and security features.
What does this mean for Microsoft Azure RemoteApp customers?
Most organizations would be required to move their apps to the cloud, as well as move their supporting infrastructure. While many suggest Citrix Virtual Apps (formerly Citrix XenApp) Essentials as a preferred replacement service, Parallels® Remote Application Server (RAS) can offer several advantages—and it is a better alternative already today.
Citrix solutions are quite costly, and users moving to Citrix Virtual Apps (formerly Citrix XenApp) Essentials would have to deal with all these challenges as well.
Parallels® has already assisted many organizations in the migration from Citrix Virtual Apps (formerly Citrix XenApp) to Parallels RAS. Our solution is cost-effective and simple. Parallels RAS offers the same features as Citrix Virtual Apps (formerly Citrix XenApp)—and many more—while simplifying the migration process for IT managers.
Three good reasons to choose Parallels RAS over Citrix Virtual Apps (formerly Citrix XenApp) Essential
Pricing
Parallels RAS is offered by subscription or in SPLA. The subscription list price per concurrent user per year is $99.99, or $8.33 per user per month. This makes Parallels RAS over 30% more cost-effective than Citrix Virtual Apps (formerly Citrix XenApp) Essentials (when no Citrix add-ons are considered).
Testing and Trial
In general, Citrix does not provide free trials for any of the Essentials services. Customers have to buy the minimum quantity from Azure Marketplace (25 users), which comes to $456.25 (without including Azure compute costs). Citrix only allows trials of Citrix Virtual Apps (formerly Citrix XenApp) Essentials as an exception and on a limited basis. Citrix will evaluate each request and reach out to customers as the trial is available to them.
With Parallels RAS, access to trials is granted instantly, providing any customer a free 30-day trial period for 50 concurrent users, with access to all features and functions. Trial experience from Azure Marketplace can be accessed from the Azure marketplace.
Licensing
Citrix provides different licenses for different functionalities. Citrix cloud-based deployment options are: Azure Marketplace Citrix Virtual Apps (formerly Citrix XenApp) Essentials; Azure Marketplace Citrix Virtual Apps and Desktop (formerly Citrix XenDesktop) Essentials; traditional Citrix Virtual Apps (formerly Citrix XenApp) or Citrix Virtual Apps and Desktop (formerly Citrix XenDesktop) deployed separately in the cloud; Citrix Cloud Citrix Virtual Apps (formerly Citrix XenApp) Service; and Citrix Virtual Apps and Desktop (formerly Citrix XenDesktop) Service.
With Parallels RAS, all features are provided with an all-in-one license. This eliminates the complexity of evaluating which license best suits your business needs and provides enterprise features to any company—no matter the size—out of the box.
Microsoft Azure Remote Desktop Pricing
References