Azure Windows Virtual Desktop is a virtualization service that combines hardware and cloud computing to provide users with a virtual desktop or app experience. The service by Azure provides the possibility to set up a full-scale, multi-session Windows 10 deployment.  
Windows Virtual Desktop can provide a complete virtualized experience with the integration of Office 365 Pro Plus. The Microsoft apps can be optimized to run in multiuser scenarios.  
The main advantage of Windows Virtual Desktop is the ability to centrally manage the security of the data and information of your business. Since all the data is managed, processed, and stored on the cloud, the users do not have to download or save the data on their personal computers. This means the data is secured from any security breach done on employees’ computers or systems.

Azure Windows Virtual Desktop works on the technology of virtualization. Virtualization works by emulating the hardware in software. The emulation layer is used to do virtual hardware instructions executed by software. 
The virtualization of the network is done on the cloud. Cloud can be described as the physical servers in the data centers around the world. They work by executing hardware instructions created by customers or users. 
Azure is a large cloud with many servers and networking hardware around the world. Applications are used to access the virtual hardware and software capabilities of Azure. 
Azure provides the relief to end-users to work without the need to upgrade their network capabilities if the number of users increases or more power is required for the power-hungry task. 

The businesses looking forward to moving their network on the cloud with scalability options can opt for Azure Virtual Windows Desktop services. The prerequisites for this support include infrastructure support, users’ requirements, and appropriate licenses. 
Infrastructure for Azure WVD: 
The requirements for the set up of the Azure WVD are: 
The Azure Active Directory or Azure AD is an access management system by Microsoft which helps in the signing in of employees and resource access.  

These resources include External resources like Microsoft 365, SaaS applications and the Azure Portal and internal resources like corporate apps on intranet and network and customized apps for the business. 

The Windows Server Active Directory to be in sync with the Azure Active Directory.  For hybrid organization, working on both cloud and physical network, Azure AD Connect can be used. For Cloud organizations, Azure AD Domain Services can be used. 

An Azure Subscription is required which is parented to Azure AD tenant. This subscription contains the virtual network connected to the Windows Server AD. 
 
User Requirements for Windows VD: 
The requirement for the user to use virtual desktop services should fulfil the following requirements: 
The connection to the Active directory that is connected to Azure AD. 

Universal Property Network should be included in the directory which is subscribed to the Windows Virtual Desktop and connected to the Virtual Machine. 

The team members or employees can access the Azure Windows Virtual desktop using any compatible device. The compatible devices include Windows PC, Mac OS, iPad, Android, iOS. This removes the barrier of specific system requirement as required by many non-virtual networks. 

The user or employee, in this case, tries to establish the connection with Windows Virtual Desktop from any device mentioned above, by generating a request using the Remote Gateway Service. 

The access request is passed to Azure Active Directory which grants the access token if credentials match with the ones saved in the Virtual Desktop Panel. 

Virtual Desktop agents who are running on session hosts establish a reverse connection with the control panel. 

Authentication of the client is done using the AD domain after the gateway establishes a connection. These credentials can be stored on local devices for quick access. 

The local domain credentials are used for mounting a virtual hard disk for the user profile on the session host. 

Yes, there are licenses that are required for the deployment of Azure in your organization or business. Firstly, licenses for end-users are required based on the apps they are going to use. For OS image, the following licenses are required: 
Windows 10 and Windows 7: 
The licenses covering virtual windows 10 or 7 OS images will all the users to access the OS at no additional cost. The licenses also cover security updates until January 2023 for windows 7. 

OS 
Required license 
Windows 10 Enterprise multi-session or Windows 10 Enterprise 
Microsoft 365 E3, E5,  
Microsoft 365 A3, A5, 
Microsoft 365 F3 
Microsoft 365 Business Premium 
Windows 10 E3, E5  
Windows 10 A3, A5 
Windows 7 Enterprise 
Microsoft 365 E3, E5 
Microsoft 365 A3, A5  
Microsoft 365 F3 
Microsoft 365 Business Premium 
Windows 10 E3, E5 
Windows 10 A3, A5 
 
Windows Server: 
This license allows access to the desktops powered by Windows Server Remote and associated apps at no additional costs. 

OS 
Required license 
Windows Server 2012 R2, 2016, 2019 
RDS Client Access License (CAL) with Software Assurance 
 
Azure Subscription: 
There is an associated Azure subscription requirement for using virtual networks. These subscriptions can be selected based on the following parameters: 

– Number of Virtual Machines and OS storage 
– Data disk on Personal Desktops only 
– Networking 
– User Profile storage 

The subscriptions allow the business to select the package according to their storage and RAM requirements. The number of users also affect the pricing as well as the regions.

The benefits from transferring to Azure Windows Virtual Desktop are numerous. From increased security to scalability, enhanced speed and efficiency, here are some of the key benefits from the Azure Windows Virtual Desktop: 

Increased Security and Regulation Compliance: 
Businesses with confidential data and regulatory policies can benefit from the increased security of data storage that comes with the usage of virtual desktop services. Since the data is stored on virtual hard disks encrypted with companies’ policies, data never gets stolen from the client’s virtual machine. 

Standardizing the Procedures and Operations: 
The virtual network provides the ability to work across platforms standardizing the procedures and operations. This is particularly important in businesses undergoing mergers and acquisitions where employees need to work on the same procedure.
  
Scalability Opportunities: 
The virtual networks also provide the opportunity to increase the workforce using the control panel. The employees with mobile staff, branch employees and call center workforce can work on a unified solution. They get access to the resources at the same speed as other employees despite changes in their devices.
 
Office 365 & Microsoft Teams Compatibility: 
Azure Windows Virtual Desktop allows the advantage to use Office 365 products and services. The use services are integrated into the cloud with infinite resource allocation. Microsoft Office 365 allows each client storage of 1TB.  This increases productivity by removing the bottleneck of storage constraints and upgrading storage facilities of real networks. 
Similarly, engineering applications can take advantage of virtual graphical processing for graphics-intensive applications. 
 
Seamless Flexibility and Applications with Windows Virtual Desktop 
 
With more and more people working from home, the integration of Microsoft Teams allows employees to connect and share files, data and collaborate on a whole new level.
 
Decreased Costs: 
The virtual networks decrease the costs of running and upgrading conventional networks and systems. Windows 10 virtual desktop services allow the companies to opt for timed sessions on Azure Virtual Machines. This lowers the costs and companies only pay for the time they are using resources. 
 
Control and Flexibility in Azure Windows Virtual Desktop/ 

Specialized SaaS and Applications: 
Engineering companies or IT sectors in businesses use proprietary software and solutions for their unique workloads and workforce. The virtual desktop by Azure provides them with the platform to handle such situations. 

Flexibility in Infrastructure: 
The movement of IT infrastructure to the cloud allows businesses to simplify their operations and tasks of IT staff and end-users. 
End-users gain the flexibility of working from various devices including MacOS and iPads. The users can access the office 365 applications for a seamless experience. 
As for the IT department, the benefit of moving to the cloud includes the decrement in planning the physical systems for future workloads. The IT department has one less task of upgrading the hard drives of the system. 
Moreover, the management of applications and data is much simpler and efficient on the cloud.  They can generate persistent desktops from desktop images. Similarly, the data of users are stored in separate container improving scalability and allowing flexibility.