How to transfer multiple files(heavy files) from my local machine to Azure Virtual Desktop Windows VM ?

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How to transfer multiple files(heavy files) from my local machine to Azure Virtual Desktop Windows VM ?

Ashitha S 96

Hi Team,

I have a query regarding Azure Virtual Desktop on uploading files. Other that uploading files in Azure Files and directly uploading through the client mode in Virtual desktop (highlighted in screenshot), is there any other way for bulk files upload to Azure Virtual Desktop Windows VM?

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Answer 1

kobulloc-MSFT 26,811 Microsoft Employee Moderator

Hello, @Ashitha S !

How do I transfer multiple large files from my local machine to my Azure Virtual Desktop VM?
There are many ways to upload local files to your Azure Virtual Desktop VM however I reached out to an AVD expert and the recommended approach for transferring multiple large files is to set up a file share or storage account and then map it in the Azure Virtual Desktop host as a drive.

Create a file share using Azure Files
https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/storage/files/storage-how-to-use-files-portal?tabs=azure-portal

Create an Azure Storage Account
https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/storage/common/storage-account-create?tabs=azure-portal

Ashitha S 96 Reputation points

2023-01-06T22:47:03.537+00:00

Is this the only way? Do we have any other options?

Is there an option like having our local disk access on AVD VM which we usually have for normal windows VM?
kobulloc-MSFT 26,811 Reputation points Microsoft Employee Moderator

2023-01-06T22:56:51.127+00:00

Hello, @Ashitha S !

There are a ton of options but the list of recommendations narrows down a bit when you get into bulk/large file transfers. When you talk about local disk access on a Windows VM are you referring to an SMB file share?
Ashitha S 96 Reputation points

2023-01-06T23:00:45.927+00:00

Its not an SMB, but we enable drives option in setting before logging in to the VM.

The files are not too heavy or bulk so could you recommend other methods?
kobulloc-MSFT 26,811 Reputation points Microsoft Employee Moderator

2023-01-06T23:22:33.117+00:00

Hello, @Ashitha S !

There are a lot of file transfer options like SCP, FTP/SFTP, and even using RDP like @Pavel yannara Mirochnitchenko suggested (though the concern with larger files is an interruption during transfer). One of the reasons I like using an Azure Storage Account is that it allows you to move files quickly within Azure.

AzCopy is a lightweight command you can use with Azure Storage:
https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/storage/common/storage-use-azcopy-blobs-upload

Alternatively, this documentation gives you an overview of options for data migration for larger solutions:
https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/storage/common/storage-choose-data-transfer-solution
Luke Murray 11,436 Reputation points MVP Volunteer Moderator

2023-01-07T04:35:35.297+00:00
FYI: You can do local drive redirection - but using the Remote Application application and not Web Client:

https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-server/remote/remote-desktop-services/clients/remote-desktop-app-compare#other-redirection-devices-etc

https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/virtual-desktop/configure-device-redirections

The settings are under the host pool.

Answer 2

Pavel yannara Mirochnitchenko 13,341 MVP

If you need to do it once (before creating new image), you can add public IP adress and login via RDP to it, or use onedrive for transfering.

Ashitha S 96 Reputation points

2023-01-06T22:51:11.587+00:00

Is it possible to add ip address for AVD windows VM?
Pavel yannara Mirochnitchenko 13,341 Reputation points MVP

2023-01-09T07:31:59.277+00:00

Yes, in Azure portal, to virtual nic.

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How to transfer multiple files(heavy files) from my local machine to Azure Virtual Desktop Windows VM ?

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