Create and share a desktop with users

Completed

To deploy Azure Virtual Desktop, we'll start by creating a host pool, specifying our session host VMs, and creating a workspace. This process creates a desktop application group. We'll then assign that application group to a user and verify they can see the virtual desktop in their workspace.

The following steps provide some initial values for you to use to test out Azure Virtual Desktop. Review the available options to plan and customize your deployment to match your organization's needs.

To complete the exercise, you'll need the Azure credentials for:

  • A user account that's assigned to the Active Directory Domain administrator role
  • A non-administrative user account that's in Active Directory

Create a host pool by using the Azure portal

Step 1: Basics

  1. Sign in to the Azure portal.

  2. Use the search box to find Azure Virtual Desktop.

  3. Select Create a host pool.

  4. Enter the appropriate information into the Basics tab.

    Screenshot of the Azure Virtual Desktop create host pool basic tab.

    Field Value
    Subscription Subscription where you want Azure Virtual Desktop to run
    Resource group Resource group you've created for Azure Virtual Desktop resources
    Host pool name wvd-host-pool-1
    Location Region where you want the metadata for your host pool stored. If you want to create your host pool in a supported region outside the US, you'll need to re-register the resource provider.
    Validation environment No
    Host pool type Pooled
    Load balancing algorithm Breadth-first
    Max session limit Maximum number of users you want load-balanced to a single session host
  5. Select Next: Virtual Machines.

Step 2: Virtual Machines

  1. Select Yes to add virtual machines.

  2. Use the information in the following table to fill out the virtual machine tab.

    Screenshot of the Azure Virtual Desktop create host pool virtual machine tab.

    Field Value
    Add virtual machines Yes
    Resource group Resource group you've created for Azure Virtual Desktop resources
    Name prefix wvd-vm-pool
    Virtual machine location Region needs to be same location as your virtual network
    Availability options Availability zone
    Availability zone 2
    Image type Gallery
    Image Windows 10 Enterprise multi-session, Version 1909
    Virtual machine size Keep the default size
    Number of VMs 2
    OS disk type Standard SSD
    Use managed disks Yes
    Boot diagnostics Enable with managed storage account

    Screenshot of the Azure Virtual Desktop create host pool virtual machine network and security.

    Field Value
    Virtual network Virtual network that can connect to the domain controller
    Network security group Basic
    Public inbound ports No

    Screenshot of the Azure Virtual Desktop create host pool virtual machine domain to join.

    Field Value
    Select which directory you would like to join Active Directory
    AD domain join UPN User name for the user account that's assigned to the Active Directory Domain administrator role
    Specify domain or unit No

    Screenshot of the Azure Virtual Desktop create host pool virtual machine administrator.

    Field Value
    Username Select a username for your VM administrator
    Password Select a password for your VM administrator
    Confirm Confirm the password

    Screenshot of the Azure Virtual Desktop create host pool virtual machine custom configuration.

    Field Value
    ARM template file URL Leave blank
    ARM template parameter file URL Leave blank
  3. Select Next: Workspace.

Step 3: Workspace

  1. For Register desktop app group, select Yes.

  2. For To this workspace, select Create new.

  3. Enter a name for the workspace.

    Screenshot of workspace tab that shows how to create new workspace.

  4. Select Review + create.

  5. Review what you've entered and select Create.

Assign desktop application group to user

Assign the desktop application group to a non-administrative user account that's in Active Directory.

  1. Select Application groups.
  2. Select the desktop application group.
  3. Select Access control (IAM) > Add > Add role assignment.
  4. For Role, select Desktop Virtualization User and select Next.
  5. Beside Members, select + Select Members. Find and select the name of a non-administrative user account that's in Active Directory and select Select.
  6. Select Next.
  7. Select Review + Assign.

Verify access to desktop

  1. Go to the Azure Virtual Desktop web client.
  2. Sign in by using the user credentials for the user you assigned to the desktop application group.
  3. You should see a virtual desktop.