Microsoft has announced that Windows Virtual Desktop would be renamed Azure Virtual Desktop (AVD) and that additional features will be added to the service.
WVD is an Azure-based service that allows users to virtualize their Windows desktop, Office programs, and other third-party software by running them on Azure virtual machines. According to the writing of Kam VedBrat, General Manager of AVD:
To support this broader vision and the changing needs of our customers, today we are announcing new capabilities, new pricing for app streaming, and changing the name of the Windows Virtual Desktop service to Azure Virtual Desktop.
New Capabilities on Security And Management
Enhanced support for Azure Active Directory
Coming “soon” in public preview, customers will be able to join their AVD virtual machines directly to Azure Active Directory and login to them from any device using simple credentials and without the requirement for an extra domain controller with this functionality.
Manage Windows 10 Enterprise multi-session virtual machines with Microsoft Endpoint Manager
Microsoft EndPoint Manager support for managing Windows 10 Enterprise multisession VMs: This functionality is now accessible. AVD virtual machines are also automatically enrolled with Microsoft Endpoint Manager.
Deploy in minutes with new QuickStart experience
Customers will soon be able to set up a comprehensive AVD environment in their Azure subscriptions with just a few clicks, thanks to a public preview that will be available soon.
According to the opinion of Mary Jo Foley, as she writes for ZD Net: Today’s WVD/AVD announcements are not related to the expected launch of Microsoft’s Cloud PC, it’s Azure and WVD-based virtualization service that is codenamed “Deschutes.” Cloud PC is in private testing at this point and could launch later this summer, my sources say. Microsoft plans to sell Cloud PC as a managed Microsoft 365 experience at a flat per-user price. This is an important difference from WVD/AVD pricing, which revolves around Azure consumption.