Top 50+ Azure Virtual Desktop (AVD) Interview Questions and Answers 2025 – Expert Guide

Top 50+ Azure Virtual Desktop (AVD) Interview Questions and Answers 2025 – Expert Guide

Azure Virtual Desktop (AVD), formerly known as Windows Virtual Desktop, is Microsoft’s cloud-based virtualization service for delivering secure remote desktops and apps on Azure. Preparing for Azure Virtual Desktop interview questions is essential for roles like AVD Administrator, Cloud Engineer, or Virtualization Specialist. This comprehensive guide covers 50+ AVD interview questions and answers, including basics, advanced topics, FSLogix, security, scaling, and troubleshooting—optimized for 2025 interviews and aligned with the AZ-140 certification.

Basic Azure Virtual Desktop (AVD) Interview Questions

1. What is Azure Virtual Desktop (AVD)? 
   Azure Virtual Desktop is a Microsoft-managed desktop and app virtualization service running on Azure. It delivers virtualized Windows desktops and RemoteApps to users from the cloud, supporting multi-session Windows 10/11 and Windows Server.
2. What are the key benefits of Azure Virtual Desktop?
   • Multi-session support for cost savings.
   • Seamless integration with Microsoft 365.
   • Enhanced security with Azure AD and MFA.
   • Scalability and flexibility.
   • Free Extended Security Updates for Windows 7 (legacy).
3. What is the difference between pooled and personal host pools in AVD? 
   Pooled: Shared desktops (multi-session, cost-effective for generic users). Personal: Dedicated desktops (persistent, ideal for power users needing customization).
4. What are the components of Azure Virtual Desktop architecture?
   • Host pools (session hosts).
   • Application groups (RemoteApps or desktops).
   • Workspaces (collections of app groups).
   • Gateways, brokers, and diagnostics.
5. How does Azure Virtual Desktop differ from traditional RDS? 
   AVD is cloud-native, managed by Microsoft (no need for RDS CALs in many cases), supports multi-session Windows 10/11, and integrates deeply with Azure services.
6. What licensing is required for Azure Virtual Desktop? 
   Eligible Microsoft 365 or Windows licenses include AVD access rights. Compute and storage are billed separately.
7. What is FSLogix in Azure Virtual Desktop?
    FSLogix is Microsoft’s profile management solution for non-persistent environments. It containers user profiles (VHD/VHDX files) for roaming across sessions.
8. Why use FSLogix with AVD?
    It enables profile roaming in pooled host pools, supports OneDrive/Outlook caching, and reduces login times in non-persistent setups.
9. What storage options are recommended for FSLogix profiles in AVD? 
   Azure Files (Premium tier with AD auth) or Azure NetApp Files for high performance and HA.
10. How do you configure FSLogix for high availability?
     Use geo-redundant Azure Files, enable SMB multichannel, and monitor with Azure Monitor.

Intermediate AVD Interview Questions and Answers

11. How do you deploy a host pool in Azure Virtual Desktop?
     Use Azure Portal, PowerShell, or ARM templates: Create host pool → Select VM size/image → Join to domain → Assign users.
12. What is the role of MSIX App Attach in AVD? 
    MSIX App Attach packages and dynamically attaches applications to session hosts without installing them per-user.
13. How does scaling work in Azure Virtual Desktop? 
    Use Azure Automation or Scaling Plans to autoscale session hosts based on CPU/load, time, or schedules.
14. What is Start VM on Connect in AVD?
     Powers on deallocated personal desktops when users connect, reducing costs.
15. How do you integrate AVD with on-premises resources?
     Use VPN/ExpressRoute for connectivity, Azure AD Connect for hybrid identity, and VNet peering.
16. What is the difference between breadth-first and depth-first load balancing in AVD?
     Breadth-first: Distributes sessions evenly across hosts. Depth-first: Fills one host before moving to the next.
17. How do you secure Azure Virtual Desktop? 
    Use Azure AD MFA, Conditional Access, NSGs, RBAC, disk encryption, and Azure Defender.
18. What is Azure AD Kerberos for FSLogix? 
    Enables cloud-only (Entra ID joined) session hosts to access Azure Files without on-prem AD line-of-sight.
19. How do you troubleshoot slow logins in AVD?
     Check FSLogix profile load times, network latency, storage performance, or group policy processing.
20. What monitoring tools are used for AVD? 
    Azure Monitor, Log Analytics, AVD Insights, and Performance Counters.

Advanced Azure Virtual Desktop Interview Questions

21. How would you design a multi-region AVD deployment for high availability? 
    Deploy host pools in multiple regions, use Traffic Manager for failover, and geo-replicate FSLogix storage.
22. Explain how to automate AVD deployment with IaC. 
    Use Bicep/ARM templates or Terraform for host pools, session hosts, and FSLogix configuration.
23. What are common FSLogix issues and fixes?
     Profile corruption: Exclude temp files. Large profiles: Use Office Container. Access denied: Verify NTFS permissions on Azure Files.
24. How do you optimize costs in Azure Virtual Desktop?
     Use reserved instances, autoscale, Start VM on Connect, and pooled multi-session hosts.
25. What is the role of Azure Compute Gallery in AVD?
     Stores and shares custom VM images across subscriptions/regions for consistent deployments.
26. How do you handle application compatibility in AVD?
     Use MSIX packaging, App Attach, or compatibility fixes via App-V/RemoteApp.
27. What is the maximum number of sessions per multi-session host?
     Depends on VM size/workload; e.g., up to 10+ on high-end VMs, but benchmark for user density.
28. How do you backup AVD session hosts and profiles? 
    Use Azure Backup for VMs and snapshots for FSLogix VHDs.
29. Explain AVD with Windows 365 differences.
     AVD: Multi-user, admin-controlled VDI. Windows 365: Single-user Cloud PC, more like physical PC experience.
30. How do you configure Teams optimization in AVD?
     Install Teams WebRTC redirector and media optimization policies.

Scenario-Based and Troubleshooting AVD Questions

31. Users report black screens during login—what could be the issue? 
    GPU driver issues, FSLogix mount failures, or RDP protocol problems.
32. How to migrate from on-prem RDS to AVD?
     Use Azure Migrate for assessment, replicate VMs, then reconfigure as AVD host pools.
33. Profile not loading in pooled host pool? 
    Check FSLogix registry settings (Enabled=1, VHDLocations), permissions, and storage connectivity.
34. How to handle high CPU usage on session hosts?
     Scale out hosts, optimize apps, or use larger VM sizes.
35. Scenario: 1000 users across regions—design cost-effective AVD. 
    Multi-region pooled hosts, autoscale, FSLogix on Azure Files, breadth-first balancing.
36. AVD connection fails with error 0x3000046?
     Often certificate or gateway issues—verify RD Gateway certs.
37. How to enable GPU acceleration in AVD? 
    Use NV-series VMs and install appropriate drivers.
38. Users lose OneDrive files after logout? 
    Configure FSLogix to include OneDrive known folder redirection.
39. How to restrict USB redirection in AVD?
     Use group policies for RDP device redirection.
40. Scenario: Optimize Teams audio/video in AVD. 
    Enable HDX optimization, offload media to client endpoint.

AZ-140 Certification-Specific Questions

41. What skills are tested in AZ-140 exam? 
    Plan/implement infrastructure, manage access/security, monitor/maintain AVD, manage user environments/profiles.
42. How do you configure RBAC for AVD? 
    Use built-in roles like Desktop Virtualization Contributor/User Session Operator.
43. What is the purpose of diagnostics in AVD? 
    Log Analytics for connection failures, host registration errors.
44. How to implement conditional access for AVD? 
    Azure AD policies based on device compliance, location, or risk.
45. Explain personal desktop autoscale. 
    Scaling plans with ramp-down to deallocate VMs during off-hours.
46. How to use PowerShell for AVD management?
     Az.DesktopVirtualization module for creating host pools, assigning users.
47. What are ephemeral disks in AVD? 
    Temporary local SSD for paging/caching in pooled hosts.
48. How to integrate Intune with AVD?
     Enroll hybrid/Entra joined hosts for device management and app deployment.
49. Scenario: Secure legacy apps in AVD.
     Use personal hosts, AppLocker, or Azure Bastion for admin access.
50. What future trends are expected in AVD? 
    Deeper Windows 11 integration, AI-driven scaling, enhanced security with Confidential VMs.
51. Bonus: How to prepare for Azure Virtual Desktop jobs?
     Gain hands-on experience, earn AZ-140 certification, and practice scenarios.

Preparation Tips for Azure Virtual Desktop Interviews:

• Focus on resume-based questions (e.g., FSLogix, scaling).
• Practice AZ-140 labs on Microsoft Learn.
• Be ready for scenarios on cost optimization, security, and troubleshooting.
• Recent 2025 trends: Cloud-only deployments with Entra ID Kerberos.

For expert-led Azure Virtual Desktop training, interview prep, or job assistance in cloud DevOps roles, visit www.clouddevopsjobs.com. Master AVD and land your dream job in 2025! Good luck!