Azure Virtual Desktop (AVD), formerly known as Windows Virtual Desktop (WVD), is a cloud-based service provided by Microsoft Azure that allows organizations to create and manage virtualized Windows desktops and applications in the Azure cloud. It enables remote access to Windows desktops and applications from various devices, providing a scalable and secure solution for remote work, application delivery, and desktop virtualization.

Key features and components of Azure Virtual Desktop (AVD) include:

1. Multi-Session Windows 10: AVD supports multi-session Windows 10 virtual machines, allowing multiple users to share a single VM while maintaining their individual sessions. This improves resource utilization and reduces costs compared to traditional one-user-per-VM scenarios.

2. Windows 7 Extended Security Updates: AVD provides extended security updates for Windows 7 virtual desktops, allowing organizations to continue using legacy applications securely while transitioning to newer Windows versions.

3. App Compatibility: AVD helps ensure application compatibility by providing a consistent Windows environment for running applications, regardless of the user’s device or location.

4. Azure Integration: AVD seamlessly integrates with other Azure services, including Azure Active Directory (Azure AD) for identity and access management, Azure Monitor for monitoring and diagnostics, and Azure Security Center for security management.

5. Remote Desktop Clients: Users can access AVD desktops and applications from various devices, including Windows PCs, Macs, iOS devices, Android devices, and web browsers, using the Microsoft Remote Desktop client.

6. Scalability: AVD offers scalability options to accommodate changing business needs. You can scale the number of virtual machines up or down based on demand.

7. Region Selection: AVD allows you to deploy virtual desktops and applications in Azure data centers located in regions around the world, providing low-latency access to users globally.

8. Custom Images: You can create custom virtual machine images with pre-configured applications and settings, making it easy to deploy consistent environments for users.

9. Management and Monitoring: Azure Portal provides a centralized interface for managing and monitoring AVD environments, including user access, session management, and resource utilization.

10. Security and Compliance: AVD offers security features such as Azure Security Center integration, Azure Firewall integration, and support for conditional access policies to ensure secure access to virtual desktops and applications.

11. Licensing Options: AVD licensing can be based on per-user or per-device subscription models, depending on the organization’s requirements.