Will Azure Virtual Desktop use Microsoft Entra External ID for external-facing apps?

Question

According to the AVD documentation, in order to offer apps or desktops running on AVD to external users or customers (cloud-only deployment), identities must be created and managed manually, and then the credentials are provided to the users. Since AVD doesn't support external identities, a separate MS Entra ID in a "per-user access pricing" enrolled subscription should be used for this.

Considering the convergence of Microsoft Entra External ID for external-facing apps (still in preview) with Microsoft Entra ID, I'm doubtful about what Entra ID version should be used for new deployments in this CIAM scenario on AVD. Should it still be MS Entra ID or MS Entra External ID instead?

Answer 1

Hello Juan Bautista Ruiz Alzola,

Welcome to microsoft Q&A, Thankyou for posting your query here.

MS Entra external ID(preview): MS Entra external ID is service is specifically designed for managing identities of external users. It supports scenarios like B2B and B2C by allowing external users to authenticate using their own identities, like (external identity providers and personal social accounts)

Since MS Entra external ID is designed for external management and indented to integrate with AVD, this would be more appropriate for your scenario , so that large number of external users can be easily managed.

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