Microsoft Teams has become an indispensable tool for collaboration, and its integration with Azure Virtual Desktop (AVD) has brought even greater flexibility for remote work. Recently, in June 2024, Microsoft introduced some exciting changes in the preview for Teams, including the new SlimCore architecture. This blog will explore these changes, their benefits, and how to get started with the preview. Classic Teams vs. New Teams Before diving into SlimCore, it’s essential to understand the distinction between Classic Teams and New Teams. Both versions can be used with Azure Virtual Desktop, of ..read more

Windows 365 users can now log in with Citrix Workspace and take advantage of Citrix HDX Plus Protocol on top of their cloud PC offering from Microsoft. To achieve this, I have written this blog to configure Windows 365 + Intune + Citrix Cloud Integration. This blog is a detailed step-by-step guide, kindly go through each step to configure the same. You may skip a few steps if you have already deployed AVD with Citrix Cloud as the Control Plane. Enhancing Windows 365 Cloud PCs with Citrix HDX Plus: A Detailed Overview Citrix HDX Plus for Windows 365 combines Citrix’s advanced HDX technologies ..read more

In June 2024, Microsoft introduced a feature in Azure Virtual Desktop called Preferred App Group Type settings. This feature helps users streamline their feed display by showing only their preferred type of application group—either RemoteApp or Desktop—thus avoiding multiple simultaneous session connections and reducing connectivity issues. Also, it’s an enhancement that improves how resources are displayed in the feed for users assigned to both RemoteApp and Desktop applications. Here is how you can update the Preferred App Group Type I will show you how to configure this setting using diffe ..read more

I am thrilled to share some exciting news with you all. I have been honored with the prestigious Microsoft Most Valuable Professional (MVP) awards in not one, but two technology areas: Azure Virtual Desktop and Windows 365! This recognition is not only a personal milestone but also a testament to the incredible journey I have had in the world of Microsoft Community Enrichment. Although, I have been working for the community for many years now but this year is only my 2nd year of recognition as MVP. For those new to the community, the MVP (Most Valuable Professional) award is Microsoft’s annual ..read more

Hello Friends, In May 2024, Microsoft has mentioned that Trusted Launch virtual machines are now available in Azure Government and Azure operated by 21Vianet., as we know that securing virtual desktops is crucial for protecting sensitive data and maintaining business continuity. Microsoft Azure offers a robust solution with its Azure Virtual Desktop (AVD) service, enabling organizations to deploy scalable and secure virtual desktop infrastructure (VDI). One of the standout features enhancing the security of AVD is the “Trusted Launch” capability. In this blog, I’ll explore what Trusted Launch ..read more

In today’s digital landscape, cost efficiency is a crucial aspect of managing cloud resources. Azure Virtual Desktop (AVD) provides a flexible and scalable solution for virtual desktop infrastructure, but it can also incur significant costs if not managed properly. One effective strategy to optimize costs is through VM hibernation. This blog will guide you through the benefits and implementation of VM hibernation to reduce your Azure expenses for Azure Virtual Desktop. Hibernate support for session hosts in a personal host pool is generally available in May 2024. Hibernate support for auto sc ..read more

I am thrilled to share some exciting news with all of you. For the third consecutive year, I have been honored with the Citrix CTA (Citrix Technology Advocate) award. This recognition is deeply meaningful to me, and I am proud to be listed among the esteemed awardees on the Citrix website. You can find my name in current awardee list here. What is the Citrix CTA Award? The Citrix CTA award is a prestigious recognition given to professionals who have demonstrated exceptional contributions to the Citrix community. It acknowledges individuals who possess deep technical expertise, actively engage ..read more

Azure Virtual Desktop (AVD) is a comprehensive desktop and app virtualization service running in the cloud. One key aspect of AVD is the Windows client, which offers a plethora of features designed to enhance user experience and optimize performance. In this blog, I will delve into the key features of the Windows client for Azure Virtual Desktop, providing an overview of its capabilities and benefits. 1. Rich Multimedia Experience The Windows client for AVD leverages multimedia redirection, ensuring a smooth and responsive multimedia experience. This feature significantly enhances audio and v ..read more

The Citrix Image Portability Service is designed to revolutionize how IT teams manage virtual desktops and application images across hybrid and multi-cloud environments. This service addresses the complexities of maintaining consistent and up-to-date virtual images in dynamic and often fragmented cloud infrastructures. Key Features and Benefits 1. Cross-Cloud Compatibility: Citrix Image Portability Service simplifies the process of migrating and managing virtual desktop images across different cloud platforms. Whether it’s on-premises, public clouds like AWS and Azure, or hybrid setups, this ..read more

Nerdio Manager for Enterprise has now added a new feature that will enable admins to use Chat GPT directly from their portal to generate scripts that they can use for various purposes. They also provide a detailed guide on generating and fine-tuning scripted actions using ChatGPT. The process involves selecting an existing scripted action, such as optimizing Microsoft Edge for Azure Virtual Desktop (AVD), and refining it through specific prompts in ChatGPT. The steps include adding performance optimizations, updating descriptions and tags, incorporating logging, and testing the final script ..read more