Last updated: June 5, 2026
Azure Virtual Desktop (formerly Windows Virtual Desktop) beats traditional virtualization by running desktops and apps in the cloud, so you cut hardware costs, scale on demand, and skip the extra Windows client licenses that on-prem VDI and RDS require. It also delivers native Office 365 integration and multi-session Windows, which legacy VDI cannot match.
The Short Version
Windows Virtual Desktop, now Azure Virtual Desktop, moves your Windows desktops and apps into Microsoft Azure. Compared with traditional on-prem VDI, it lowers hardware and licensing costs, scales up or down on demand, supports multi-session Windows, and integrates tightly with Office 365. It fits remote teams, call centers, BYOD workplaces, and regulated industries that need flexible, compliant desktops without managing physical machines.
Windows Virtual Desktop (WVD), now Azure Virtual Desktop, gives your business a multi- or single-user Windows 10 or 11 experience. The service also incorporates Office 365 ProPlus. You can count on WVD to help centralize monitoring and management functions. On the other hand, your organization’s system admins can use Azure cloud services to deploy and manage your company’s Windows servers, desktops, and apps.
WVD uses Microsoft’s enterprise security controls to maximize data protection, and pairs well with the layered defenses in our cybersecurity solutions. In turn, your organization scales virtualization requirements without worrying about security. The service provides a cost-effective solution, thanks to the subscription pricing model. Your team also enjoys a richer virtualization experience than the Remote Desktop Services (RDS) platform.
What Is Windows Virtual Desktop?
Windows Virtual Desktop, rebranded by Microsoft as Azure Virtual Desktop, is a cloud service that hosts full Windows desktops and apps on Azure. Employees connect from any device, while your IT team builds, secures, and scales every desktop from a single management portal instead of a server room.
Windows Virtual Desktop vs Traditional Virtualization
The fastest way to see the difference is side by side. The table below compares Windows Virtual Desktop on Azure with a traditional on-prem VDI or RDS setup.
| Factor | Windows Virtual Desktop (Azure) | Traditional VDI / RDS |
|---|---|---|
| Upfront hardware | None, runs on Azure | On-prem servers and storage |
| Scaling | On demand, pay for what you use | Buy capacity ahead of need |
| Windows licensing | No extra client access license for Windows 10 or 11 | Per-user or per-device CALs |
| Multi-session Windows | Built in | Server OS only |
| Office 365 integration | Native and optimized | Limited |
| Platform maintenance | Microsoft manages the underlying platform | Your team patches and maintains it |
Key Benefits of Windows Virtual Desktop
When it comes to traditional virtualization tools versus Windows Virtual Desktop, the latter provides several clear advantages. Here are the benefits that matter most when you switch.
- Lower hardware and licensing costs through Azure subscription pricing
- On-demand scaling without buying capacity in advance
- Native Office 365 and Microsoft 365 integration
- Multi-session Windows 10 and 11 support
- Access from any device, browser, or location
- Persistent and non-persistent desktops with FSLogix profile management
Reduces Costs
Migrating your organization’s apps and desktops to Azure using the Windows Virtual Desktop service is a viable way to reduce costs. The service enables savings by improving the utilization of critical, cost-intensive resources. Session-based desktops operating on Azure Virtual Machines are more cost-effective.
Microsoft simplifies licensing by eliminating the need for an additional client access license to use Windows 10 via WVD. Server operating systems typically require additional licenses.
Enhanced Compatibility With Office 365
By switching to Azure via Windows Virtual Desktop, your organization benefits from a comprehensive array of cloud-based applications and resources. The best part is that WVD ensures improved integration with wide-ranging Office 365 products. Enhanced compatibility helps improve overall performance in virtual desktop environments.
The boost in performance also applies to additional apps that need reduced latency. Graphics processing capability allows graphics-intensive apps to function optimally in the virtual desktop environment.
Improved Flexibility
Cloud-based solutions like Windows Virtual Desktop simplify various tasks for end-users and IT staff. Teams benefit from improved flexibility by conveniently accessing the business apps and desktops from any device, browser, or location. Office 365 applications integrate cleanly with the service, enriching the user experience.
Migrating to the cloud also reduces IT staff’s workload, since they no longer spend hours managing local networks and physical machines. WVD makes desktop applications easier to manage across Windows 10 and 11. Tech experts can also create personal and persistent desktops using desktop images.
WVD enhances scalability and flexibility by storing apps and user profiles in different containers.
Persistent and Non-Persistent Desktop Virtualization
With Windows Virtual Desktop, you can take advantage of support for persistent and non-persistent states. The service also supports multi-session and dedicated modes. In addition, users enjoy application and full desktop virtualization experiences.
Stateful VDI, or persistent virtual desktop infrastructure, allows individual users to operate a dedicated virtual desktop with personalized settings. This state benefits users due to the consistency of custom settings and desktop functionality. That consistency helps your team members adapt to the virtual desktop environment faster.
However, persistent VDIs are storage-intensive due to the extensive customization and sophisticated desktop image management. A centralized portal simplifies that image management.
With non-persistent virtual desktop infrastructure, the system deletes user settings and data at the end of each session. Every new session then deploys a fresh desktop image. This state minimizes storage requirements and simplifies image management. You can opt for non-persistent VDI if you need advanced security and want to reduce storage requirements.
Both persistent and non-persistent VDIs provide a more user-friendly experience. Non-persistent systems rely on FSLogix technology to mimic the user-friendliness of persistent VDIs. You can also count on non-persistent VDIs to link user profiles to specific computing environments, attaching the profiles dynamically.
Windows Virtual Desktop Use Cases
With WVD, you find it easier to comply with regulatory requirements and standardize operations. It also lets you boost workforce flexibility and handle specialized workloads more efficiently. A wide selection of businesses rely on Azure WVD to support their remote and office-based teams.
Windows Virtual Desktop provides a unified solution capable of serving call center staff, organizations with BYOD policies, and remote workers. The service ensures flexibility by allowing the workforce to use different types of devices. It also helps companies in highly regulated sectors, such as financial services and healthcare, meet specific compliance requirements.
An Honest Take on When WVD Is Not the Cheapest Option
Windows Virtual Desktop is not automatically cheaper for every workload. If you run desktops 24 hours a day at steady, predictable load, a right-sized on-prem setup can sometimes cost less than always-on Azure capacity. WVD wins clearly when usage is variable, when teams are remote or seasonal, or when you want to stop buying and refreshing hardware. At Uprite, we model both options before recommending a path, so the cost case reflects your real usage patterns instead of a generic assumption.
Windows Virtual Desktop Questions, Answered
What is Windows Virtual Desktop (WVD)?
Windows Virtual Desktop, now called Azure Virtual Desktop, is a Microsoft cloud service that runs full Windows desktops and apps on Azure. Users reach them from any device, while admins manage everything from one portal.
Is Windows Virtual Desktop better than traditional VDI?
For most businesses it is, because WVD removes the on-prem hardware, separate client licenses, and heavy maintenance that traditional VDI and RDS demand. It also adds multi-session Windows and tighter Office 365 integration that legacy setups cannot match.
How does Windows Virtual Desktop reduce IT costs?
Cost savings come from better use of expensive Azure resources, session-based desktops on shared virtual machines, and removing the extra client access license that Windows normally requires. You pay for what you use through Azure subscription pricing.
What is the difference between persistent and non-persistent desktops?
Persistent desktops keep each user’s settings and data between sessions, while non-persistent desktops reset at logout to lower storage costs and tighten security. FSLogix lets non-persistent desktops feel as personalized as persistent ones.
Who should use Windows Virtual Desktop?
Call centers, BYOD workplaces, and remote teams gain the most from WVD because it works across any device. Regulated sectors like finance and healthcare rely on it to meet compliance and standardize operations.
Move Your Desktops to Azure With Uprite
Uprite plans, migrates, and manages Azure Virtual Desktop so your team gets cloud desktops without the hardware headaches. Explore our cloud services or call (866) 570-3065 to talk through your environment.
