App Volumes for Azure Virtual Desktop and Windows 365 Cloud PC

In recent news, VMware has released Apps on Demand, an Azure Marketplace offering that allows users to deploy virtual machines with Windows Server 2022 and App Volumes Manager pre-installed. This new offering simplifies application management and enhances the user experience in virtualized desktop scenarios. As a follower of Microsoft best practices, I have made deliberate choices to keep my Azure environment modern and secure, including using Active Directory (AD) Domain Controllers. However, I recognize that not all organizations may have AD infrastructure in place, so I will also cover the configuration of App Volumes in “No AD” mode.

In this blog post, I will provide an overview of App Volumes and its benefits, as well as step-by-step instructions for deploying App Volumes in Azure Virtual Desktop and Windows 365 Cloud PC environments. I will also discuss some of the limitations and challenges of using App Volumes in these environments, and outline some potential enhancements that could be made in future updates.

What are App Volumes?

App Volumes is a virtual container technology from VMware that allows organizations to dynamically deliver applications to users in virtual desktop environments such as Azure Virtual Desktop and Windows 365 Cloud PCs. An AppStack in App Volumes is a virtual container that contains a set of applications packaged together. This approach simplifies application management, allowing for easy updates and maintenance without impacting the underlying system.

Benefits of App Volumes

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Using App Volumes in Azure Virtual Desktop and Windows 365 Cloud PC environments offers several benefits, including:

### Efficient Application Management

App Volumes allows organizations to manage applications more efficiently by delivering them as read-only virtual containers. This approach eliminates the need for manual updates and maintenance, reducing administrative overhead and improving user productivity.

### Enhanced User Experience

App Volumes provides a seamless user experience by allowing applications to be delivered transparently and natively installed. This means that users can access their applications without any noticeable delay or interruption in their workflow.

### Simplified Application Lifecycle Management

App Volumes simplifies application lifecycle management by providing a centralized platform for managing applications. This allows organizations to easily update and maintain their applications, reducing the risk of errors and downtime.

Deploying App Volumes in Azure Virtual Desktop and Windows 365 Cloud PC Environments

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To deploy App Volumes in Azure Virtual Desktop and Windows 365 Cloud PC environments, follow these steps:

### Step 1: Create an Azure Resource Group

Create a new Azure Resource Group to host your App Volumes resources. This will include the virtual machines that will run Windows Server 2022 with App Volumes Manager pre-installed.

### Step 2: Deploy Virtual Machines with App Volumes Manager

Deploy virtual machines running Windows Server 2022 with App Volumes Manager pre-installed. You can use Azure Virtual Machine templates to streamline this process.

### Step 3: Configure Azure File Share and Database Configuration

Configure an Azure file share for storing AppStacks, as well as database configuration for storing application data.

### Step 4: Deploy AppStacks

Deploy AppStacks to the Azure file share, using the App Volumes Manager interface. This will create virtual containers that contain the set of applications packaged together.

### Step 5: Attach AppStacks to User Sessions

Attach the AppStacks to user sessions transparently, allowing users to access their applications without any noticeable delay or interruption in their workflow.

Limitations and Challenges of Using App Volumes in Azure Virtual Desktop and Windows 365 Cloud PC Environments

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While App Volumes offers several benefits for application management in virtualized desktop environments, there are also some limitations and challenges to consider:

### Limited Support for GPU-Accelerated Applications

App Volumes does not currently support GPU-accelerated applications, which can limit its use in certain scenarios.

### Limited Integration with Azure AD

While App Volumes can be integrated with Azure Active Directory (AD), there are limitations to this integration. For example, App Volumes does not currently support multi-factor authentication (MFA) or conditional access policies.

### Limited Support for Non-Windows Applications

App Volumes is primarily designed for Windows applications, and may not be suitable for non-Windows applications.

Potential Enhancements for App Volumes in Azure Virtual Desktop and Windows 365 Cloud PC Environments

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To further enhance the use of App Volumes in Azure Virtual Desktop and Windows 365 Cloud PC environments, some potential enhancements could include:

### Support for GPU-Accelerated Applications

Support for GPU-accelerated applications would expand the range of applications that can be delivered using App Volumes.

### Integration with Azure AD

Improved integration with Azure AD, including support for MFA and conditional access policies, would enhance security and simplify identity management.

### Support for Non-Windows Applications

Support for non-Windows applications would expand the range of applications that can be delivered using App Volumes, making it more versatile and useful in a wider range of scenarios.

Conclusion

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App Volumes is a powerful tool for managing applications in virtualized desktop environments such as Azure Virtual Desktop and Windows 365 Cloud PCs. By deploying App Volumes in these environments, organizations can simplify application management, enhance the user experience, and improve overall efficiency and productivity. While there are some limitations and challenges to consider, potential enhancements could further expand the capabilities of App Volumes and make it an even more valuable tool for managing applications in virtualized desktop environments.