Windows Virtual Desktop Updates Boost Data Sovereignty, Security

New Windows Virtual Desktop updates announced at Microsoft Ignite 2021 illustrate the company’s stated emphasis on data sovereignty and improved security.

Richard Hay, Senior Content Producer

March 9, 2021

2 Min Read
Microsoft Azure's windows virtual desktop view
Microsoft

Virtual desktops have gained a lot of traction in the enterprise thanks to the promise of a portable desktop environment provisioned in the cloud – the ability to onboard employees quickly or scale up remote operations without a lot of corresponding hardware costs or set-up is appealing. Microsoft’s cloud-based virtual desktop, Windows Virtual Desktop delivers a fully functional Windows 10 desktop along with app virtualization capabilities via the company’s Azure cloud service. At Microsoft Ignite 2021 last week, several Windows Virtual Desktop updates were confirmed by the company. These updates touched on the keynote themes outlined by CEO Satya Nadella, chiefly data sovereignty and trust by design.

First, with Azure Monitor for Windows Virtual Desktop, Azure administrators can now see all of the telemetry and visualizations for their users on Windows Virtual Desktop. This assists them in solving service-related issues for their users.

Among the Windows Virtual Desktop updates made during the current public preview:

  • Designated report page for customized Azure Alerts

  • Priority view of Windows Virtual Desktop errors and warnings in Host Diagnostics

  • Standardized colors used for all default health thresholds

  • Report export to Excel options for all Windows Virtual Desktop reports

In addition, accuracy and user experience enhancements have been made on the Windows Virtual Desktop portal.

Azure Monitor for Windows Virtual Desktop is expected to become generally available in the next few weeks.

In addition, Windows Virtual Desktop users in the European Union (EU) have access to a public preview feature based on geographic metadata; customers can now opt to store the metadata related to their Windows Virtual Desktop usage within Azure servers located in the EU.

Finally, end users utilizing Windows Virtual Desktop client outside of a company network can now preview a feature where they validate their identity using company-issued smartcards. This Windows Virtual Desktop update increases overall security of the service client by adding a layer of access security to reduce the chance of unauthorized users accessing the client.

About the Author

Richard Hay

Senior Content Producer, IT Pro Today (Informa Tech)

I served for 29 plus years in the U.S. Navy and retired as a Master Chief Petty Officer in November 2011. My work background in the Navy was telecommunications related so my hobby of computers fit well with what I did for the Navy. I consider myself a tech geek and enjoy most things in that arena.

My first website – AnotherWin95.com – came online in 1995. Back then I used GeoCities Web Hosting for it and WindowsObserver.com is the result of the work I have done on that site since 1995.

In January 2010 my community contributions were recognized by Microsoft when I received my first Most Valuable Professional (MVP) Award for the Windows Operating System. Since then I have been renewed as a Microsoft MVP each subsequent year since that initial award. I am also a member of the inaugural group of Windows Insider MVPs which began in 2016.

I previously hosted the Observed Tech PODCAST for 10 years and 317 episodes and now host a new podcast called Faith, Tech, and Space. 

I began contributing to Penton Technology websites in January 2015 and in April 2017 I was hired as the Senior Content Producer for Penton Technology which is now Informa Tech. In that role, I contribute to ITPro Today and cover operating systems, enterprise technology, and productivity.

https://twitter.com/winobs

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