Study guide for Exam AZ-140: Configuring and Operating Microsoft Azure Virtual Desktop
Purpose of this document
This study guide should help you understand what to expect on the exam and includes a summary of the topics the exam might cover and links to additional resources. The information and materials in this document should help you focus your studies as you prepare for the exam.
| Useful links | Description |
|---|---|
| Review the skills measured as of April 22, 2024 | This list represents the skills measured AFTER the date provided. Study this list if you plan to take the exam AFTER that date. |
| Review the skills measured prior to April 22, 2024 | Study this list of skills if you take your exam PRIOR to the date provided. |
| Change log | You can go directly to the change log if you want to see the changes that will be made on the date provided. |
| How to earn the certification | Some certifications only require passing one exam, while others require passing multiple exams. |
| Certification renewal | Microsoft associate, expert, and specialty certifications expire annually. You can renew by passing a free online assessment on Microsoft Learn. |
| Your Microsoft Learn profile | Connecting your certification profile to Microsoft Learn allows you to schedule and renew exams and share and print certificates. |
| Exam scoring and score reports | A score of 700 or greater is required to pass. |
| Exam sandbox | You can explore the exam environment by visiting our exam sandbox. |
| Request accommodations | If you use assistive devices, require extra time, or need modification to any part of the exam experience, you can request an accommodation. |
| Take a free Practice Assessment | Test your skills with practice questions to help you prepare for the exam. |
Updates to the exam
Our exams are updated periodically to reflect skills that are required to perform a role. We have included two versions of the Skills Measured objectives depending on when you are taking the exam.
We always update the English language version of the exam first. Some exams are localized into other languages, and those are updated approximately eight weeks after the English version is updated. While Microsoft makes every effort to update localized versions as noted, there may be times when the localized versions of an exam are not updated on this schedule. Other available languages are listed in the Schedule Exam section of the Exam Details webpage. If the exam isn't available in your preferred language, you can request an additional 30 minutes to complete the exam.
Note
The bullets that follow each of the skills measured are intended to illustrate how we are assessing that skill. Related topics may be covered in the exam.
Note
Most questions cover features that are general availability (GA). The exam may contain questions on Preview features if those features are commonly used.
Skills measured as of April 22, 2024
Audience profile
As a candidate for this exam, you should be a server or desktop administrator with subject matter expertise in designing, implementing, managing, and maintaining Microsoft Azure Virtual Desktop experiences and remote apps for any device.
To deliver these experiences, you should work closely with:
Azure administrators
Azure architects
Microsoft 365 administrators
Azure security engineers
You should have experience with Azure technologies, including:
Virtualization
Networking
Identity
Storage
Resiliency
You should be able to manage end-user desktop environments, including delivering applications and configuring user settings. You should use the Azure portal, templates, scripting, and command-line tools to manage an Azure Virtual Desktop deployment.
Skills at a glance
Plan and implement an Azure Virtual Desktop infrastructure (40–45%)
Plan and implement identity and security (15–20%)
Plan and implement user environments and apps (20–25%)
Monitor and maintain an Azure Virtual Desktop infrastructure (10–15%)
Plan and implement an Azure Virtual Desktop infrastructure (40–45%)
Plan, implement, and manage networking for Azure Virtual Desktop
Assess network capacity and speed requirements for Azure Virtual Desktop
Calculate and recommend a configuration for network requirements
Plan and implement Azure virtual network connectivity
Manage connectivity to the internet and on-premises networks
Plan and implement Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP) Shortpath and quality of service (QoS) policies
Plan and implement Azure Private Link with Azure Virtual Desktop
Plan and implement name resolution for Azure Virtual Desktop
Monitor and troubleshoot network connectivity
Plan and implement storage for Azure Virtual Desktop user data
Plan storage for Azure Virtual Desktop user data
Implement storage for FSLogix components
Implement storage accounts
Implement file shares
Implement Azure NetApp Files
Plan host pools and session hosts
Recommend resource groups, subscriptions, and management groups
Recommend an operating system (OS) for an Azure Virtual Desktop implementation
Recommend an appropriate licensing model for Azure Virtual Desktop based on requirements
Plan a host pools architecture
Calculate and recommend a configuration for performance requirements
Calculate and recommend a configuration for Azure Virtual Machines capacity requirements
Implement host pools and session hosts
Create host pools and session hosts by using the Azure portal
Automate creation of Azure Virtual Desktop hosts and host pools by using PowerShell, Azure CLI, Azure Resource Manager templates (ARM templates), and Bicep
Configure host pool and session host settings
Apply a Windows client or Windows Server license to a session host
Create and manage session host images
Create a golden image manually
Create a golden image by using Azure virtual machine Image Builder
Modify a session host image
Plan and implement lifecycle management for images
Apply OS and application updates to an image
Create a session host by using a golden image
Plan and implement image storage
Create and manage Azure Compute Gallery
Plan and implement identity and security (15–20%)
Plan and implement identity integration
Choose an identity management and authentication method
Identify Azure Virtual Desktop requirements for Active Directory Domain Services (AD DS), Microsoft Entra Domain Services, and Microsoft Entra ID
Plan and implement Azure roles and role-based access control (RBAC) for Azure Virtual Desktop
Plan and implement Conditional Access policies for connections to Azure Virtual Desktop
Plan and implement multifactor authentication in Azure Virtual Desktop
Manage roles, groups, and rights assignments on Azure Virtual Desktop session hosts
Plan and implement security
Plan, implement, and manage security for Azure Virtual Desktop session hosts by using Microsoft Defender for Cloud
Configure Microsoft Defender Antivirus for session hosts
Implement and manage network security for connections to Azure Virtual Desktop
Configure Azure Bastion or just-in-time (JIT) for administrative access to session hosts
Plan and implement Windows Threat Protection features on Azure Virtual Desktop session hosts, including Windows Defender Application Control
Plan for and implement Confidential VM and Trusted Launch security features for Azure Virtual Desktop host pool provisioning
Plan and implement user environments and apps (20–25%)
Plan and implement FSLogix
Recommend FSLogix configuration
Install and configure FSLogix
Configure Profile Containers
Configure Office Containers
Configure Cloud Cache
Plan and implement user experience and client settings
Choose an Azure Virtual Desktop client and deployment method
Deploy and troubleshoot Azure Virtual Desktop clients
Configure device redirection
Configure multimedia redirection
Configure printing and Universal Print
Configure user settings through Group Policy and Microsoft Intune policies
Configure Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP) properties on a host pool
Configure session timeout properties
Implement the Start Virtual Machine on Connect feature
Assign and unassign personal desktops for users
Install and configure apps on a session host
Choose a method for deploying an app to Azure Virtual Desktop
Configure dynamic application delivery by using MSIX app attach
Publish an application as a RemoteApp
Implement FSLogix application masking
Implement and manage OneDrive, including multisession environments
Implement and manage Microsoft Teams, including the Remote Desktop WebRTC Redirector Service
Implement and manage Microsoft 365 apps on Azure Virtual Desktop session hosts
Implement and manage browsers for Azure Virtual Desktop sessions
Create and configure an application group
Assign users to application groups
Monitor and maintain an Azure Virtual Desktop infrastructure (10–15%)
Monitor and manage Azure Virtual Desktop services
Configure log collection and analysis for Azure Virtual Desktop session hosts
Configure Azure Virtual Desktop monitoring by using Azure Monitor
Monitor Azure Virtual Desktop by using Azure Monitor
Customize Azure Monitor workbooks for Azure Virtual Desktop Insights
Monitor Azure Virtual Desktop by using Azure Advisor
Optimize session host capacity and performance
Implement autoscaling in host pools
Monitor and manage active sessions and application groups
Configure automation for Azure Virtual Desktop
Automate management of host pools, session hosts, and user sessions by using PowerShell and Azure CLI
Plan, implement, and maintain business continuity
Recommend an update strategy for session hosts
Plan and implement a disaster recovery plan for Azure Virtual Desktop
Plan for multi-region implementation
Design a backup strategy for Azure Virtual Desktop
Configure backup and restore for FSLogix user profiles, personal virtual desktop infrastructures (VDIs), and golden images
Study resources
We recommend that you train and get hands-on experience before you take the exam. We offer self-study options and classroom training as well as links to documentation, community sites, and videos.
| Study resources | Links to learning and documentation |
|---|---|
| Get trained | Choose from self-paced learning paths and modules or take an instructor-led course |
| Find documentation | Azure documentation Azure Virtual Desktop documentation FSLogix configuration examples Azure Virtual Desktop FSLogix profile containers files |
| Ask a question | Microsoft Q&A | Microsoft Docs |
| Get community support | Azure Community Support |
| Follow Microsoft Learn | Microsoft Learn - Microsoft Tech Community |
| Find a video | Exam Readiness Zone Azure Fridays Browse other Microsoft Learn shows |
Change log
Key to understanding the table: The topic groups (also known as functional groups) are in bold typeface followed by the objectives within each group. The table is a comparison between the two versions of the exam skills measured and the third column describes the extent of the changes.
| Skill area prior to April 22, 2024 | Skill area as of April 22, 2024 | Change |
|---|---|---|
| Audience profile | No change | |
| Plan and implement an Azure Virtual Desktop infrastructure | Plan and implement an Azure Virtual Desktop infrastructure | No change |
| Plan, implement, and manage networking for Azure Virtual Desktop | Plan, implement, and manage networking for Azure Virtual Desktop | No change |
| Plan and implement storage for Azure Virtual Desktop user data | Plan and implement storage for Azure Virtual Desktop user data | No change |
| Plan host pools and session hosts | Plan host pools and session hosts | No change |
| Implement host pools and session hosts | Implement host pools and session hosts | No change |
| Create and manage session host images | Create and manage session host images | No change |
| Plan and implement identity and security | Plan and implement identity and security | No change |
| Plan and implement identity integration | Plan and implement identity integration | No change |
| Plan and implement security | Plan and implement security | No change |
| Plan and implement user environments and apps | Plan and implement user environments and apps | No change |
| Plan and implement FSLogix | Plan and implement FSLogix | No change |
| Plan and implement user experience and client settings | Plan and implement user experience and client settings | Minor |
| Install and configure apps on a session host | Install and configure apps on a session host | Minor |
| Monitor and maintain an Azure Virtual Desktop infrastructure | Monitor and maintain an Azure Virtual Desktop infrastructure | No change |
| Monitor and manage Azure Virtual Desktop services | Monitor and manage Azure Virtual Desktop services | Minor |
| Plan, implement, and maintain business continuity | Plan, implement, and maintain business continuity | No change |
Skills measured prior to April 22, 2024
Audience profile
As a candidate for this exam, you should be a server or desktop administrator with subject matter expertise in designing, implementing, managing, and maintaining Microsoft Azure Virtual Desktop experiences and remote apps for any device.
To deliver these experiences, you should work closely with:
Azure administrators
Azure architects
Microsoft 365 administrators
Azure security engineers
You should have experience with Azure technologies, including:
Virtualization
Networking
Identity
Storage
Resiliency
You should be able to manage end-user desktop environments, including delivering applications and configuring user settings. You should use the Azure portal, templates, scripting, and command-line tools to manage an Azure Virtual Desktop deployment.
Skills at a glance
Plan and implement an Azure Virtual Desktop infrastructure (40–45%)
Plan and implement identity and security (15–20%)
Plan and implement user environments and apps (20–25%)
Monitor and maintain an Azure Virtual Desktop infrastructure (10–15%)
Plan and implement an Azure Virtual Desktop infrastructure (40–45%)
Plan, implement, and manage networking for Azure Virtual Desktop
Assess network capacity and speed requirements for Azure Virtual Desktop
Calculate and recommend a configuration for network requirements
Plan and implement Azure virtual network connectivity
Manage connectivity to the internet and on-premises networks
Plan and implement Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP) Shortpath and quality of service (QoS) policies
Plan and implement Azure Private Link with Azure Virtual Desktop
Plan and implement name resolution for Azure Virtual Desktop
Monitor and troubleshoot network connectivity
Plan and implement storage for Azure Virtual Desktop user data
Plan storage for Azure Virtual Desktop user data
Implement storage for FSLogix components
Implement storage accounts
Implement file shares
Implement Azure NetApp Files
Plan host pools and session hosts
Recommend resource groups, subscriptions, and management groups
Recommend an operating system (OS) for an Azure Virtual Desktop implementation
Recommend an appropriate licensing model for Azure Virtual Desktop based on requirements
Plan a host pools architecture
Calculate and recommend a configuration for performance requirements
Calculate and recommend a configuration for Azure Virtual Machines capacity requirements
Implement host pools and session hosts
Create host pools and session hosts by using the Azure portal
Automate creation of Azure Virtual Desktop hosts and host pools by using PowerShell, Azure CLI, Azure Resource Manager templates (ARM templates), and Bicep
Configure host pool and session host settings
Apply a Windows client or Windows Server license to a session host
Create and manage session host images
Create a golden image manually
Create a golden image by using Azure virtual machine Image Builder
Modify a session host image
Plan and implement lifecycle management for images
Apply OS and application updates to an image
Create a session host by using a golden image
Plan and implement image storage
Create and manage Azure Compute Gallery
Plan and implement identity and security (15–20%)
Plan and implement identity integration
Choose an identity management and authentication method
Identify Azure Virtual Desktop requirements for Active Directory Domain Services (AD DS), Microsoft Entra Domain Services, and Microsoft Entra ID
Plan and implement Azure roles and role-based access control (RBAC) for Azure Virtual Desktop
Plan and implement Conditional Access policies for connections to Azure Virtual Desktop
Plan and implement multifactor authentication in Azure Virtual Desktop
Manage roles, groups, and rights assignments on Azure Virtual Desktop session hosts
Plan and implement security
Plan, implement, and manage security for Azure Virtual Desktop session hosts by using Microsoft Defender for Cloud
Configure Microsoft Defender Antivirus for session hosts
Implement and manage network security for connections to Azure Virtual Desktop
Configure Azure Bastion or just-in-time (JIT) for administrative access to session hosts
Plan and implement Windows Threat Protection features on Azure Virtual Desktop session hosts, including Windows Defender Application Control
Plan for and implement Confidential VM and Trusted Launch security features for Azure Virtual Desktop host pool provisioning
Plan and implement user environments and apps (20–25%)
Plan and implement FSLogix
Recommend FSLogix configuration
Install and configure FSLogix
Configure Profile Containers
Configure Office Containers
Configure Cloud Cache
Plan and implement user experience and client settings
Choose an Azure Virtual Desktop client and deployment method
Deploy and troubleshoot Azure Virtual Desktop clients
Configure device redirection
Configure printing and Universal Print
Configure user settings through Group Policy and Microsoft Intune policies
Configure Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP) properties on a host pool
Configure session timeout properties
Implement the Start Virtual Machine on Connect feature
Assign and unassign personal desktops for users
Install and configure apps on a session host
Choose a method for deploying an app to Azure Virtual Desktop
Configure dynamic application delivery by using MSIX app attach
Publish an application as a RemoteApp
Implement FSLogix application masking
Implement and manage OneDrive, including multisession environments
Implement and manage Microsoft Teams, including Azure Virtual Desktop redirect
Implement and manage Microsoft 365 apps on Azure Virtual Desktop session hosts
Implement and manage browsers for Azure Virtual Desktop sessions
Create and configure an application group
Assign users to application groups
Monitor and maintain an Azure Virtual Desktop infrastructure (10–15%)
Monitor and manage Azure Virtual Desktop services
Configure log collection and analysis for Azure Virtual Desktop session hosts
Configure Azure Virtual Desktop monitoring by using Azure Monitor
Monitor Azure Virtual Desktop by using Azure Monitor
Customize Azure Monitor workbooks for Azure Virtual Desktop monitoring
Monitor Azure Virtual Desktop by using Azure Advisor
Optimize session host capacity and performance
Implement autoscaling in host pools
Monitor and manage active sessions and application groups
Configure automation for Azure Virtual Desktop
Automate management of host pools, session hosts, and user sessions by using PowerShell and Azure CLI
Plan, implement, and maintain business continuity
Recommend an update strategy for session hosts
Plan and implement a disaster recovery plan for Azure Virtual Desktop
Plan for multi-region implementation
Design a backup strategy for Azure Virtual Desktop
Configure backup and restore for FSLogix user profiles, personal virtual desktop infrastructures (VDIs), and golden images