Now Test Azure Virtual Desktop with Microsoft’s New AVD QuickStart

Have you ever found yourself overwhelmed by the complexity of setting up Azure Virtual Desktop (AVD)? Or wished there was a quicker way to test AVD without going through all the manual configurations? Trust me, I’ve been there. Getting a full AVD environment up and running can be time-consuming and tedious.

That’s why Microsoft’s AVD Quickstart is such a game-changer. It dramatically simplifies deployment and allows you to spin up a fully functional AVD environment in just a matter of minutes.

AVD Quickstart streamlines the entire setup process by automating configuration, integrating sample data, and significantly reducing the effort required to create a proof-of-concept environment. Whether you’re exploring AVD for the first time or need a quick demo setup, this feature makes it faster and easier than ever.

What is AVD Quickstart?

Launched in March 2025, AVD Quickstart is a feature within the Azure portal designed to help users rapidly deploy a ready-to-use Azure Virtual Desktop (AVD) environment with minimal configuration. It’s specifically tailored for those looking to evaluate AVD or run proof-of-concept (POC) scenarios without the complexity of building a full production-grade setup.

With just a few clicks, Quickstart automatically sets up a lightweight virtual desktop environment—complete with virtual machines, networking, user access permissions, and all the foundational components needed to get started. It gives you the opportunity to test Windows 11 Enterprise multi-session desktops in a remote setup, offering real-world experience before investing time and resources in a full deployment.

Once the environment is provisioned—typically in about 20 minutes—users can log in via the Windows App and access their virtual desktop immediately. The process is fast, efficient, and ideal for IT professionals, consultants, or anyone curious about virtual desktop infrastructure.

Whether you’re experimenting with AVD for the first time or need a quick demo environment, AVD Quickstart provides a smooth, low-effort entry point to experience what Azure Virtual Desktop has to offer.

Benefits of AVD Quickstart

Fast and Effortless Deployment

Set up a fully functional Azure Virtual Desktop environment in just 20 minutes—significantly reducing the time and manual effort typically required.

Seamless Evaluation Experience

Quickly test Windows 11 Enterprise multi-session with minimal configuration. Ideal for proof-of-concept scenarios, demos, or getting hands-on with AVD before a full rollout.

Lightweight and Cost-Efficient

Deploys only the essential components needed for testing, helping to minimize resource consumption, reduce costs, and keep the environment simple to manage.

Safe and Isolated Setup

The entire deployment is contained within a dedicated resource group, ensuring complete isolation from your existing Azure resources and avoiding any unintended impact.

Why AVD Quick Start?

AVD delivers virtual Windows desktops and apps from Azure with full multi‑session Windows 11 or 10—streamlined for evaluation before production deployment. This quick‑start takes about 20 minutes and helps you get hands‑on with Windows 11 Enterprise multi‑session.

The AVD Quickstart deployment sets up a fully functional AVD environment with minimal effort. Provisioning key resources, including a host pool, application group, workspace and a pre-configured Windows 11 multi-session VM.

Networking components such as a virtual network, network interface and NSG are also created. This isolated deployment enables quick testing without impacting existing resources.

What resources are deployed in AVD Quickstart?

Microsoft’s script creates a minimal demo environment comprising

• A resource group
• A virtual network + subnet (192.168.0.0/24, Azure DNS)
• A network security group (default rules; no inbound required)
• A host pool (SSO enabled)
• A session host VM: Windows 11 Enterprise multi‑session, Standard_D4ds_v4 (4 vCPUs / 16 GiB), standard SSD, joined to Microsoft Entra ID
• A desktop app group
• A workspace

Prerequisites for AVD Quickstart

• An active Azure Subscription – if you don’t have one, you can create one for free!
• Azure Account Permissions – An account must have Contributor (to deploy resources) and User Access Administrator (to assign remote session access) roles at the Subscription level.
• User accounts for remote access – At least one user account is needed for sign-in. This account must be part of the same Microsoft Entra tenant as your subscription (guest accounts won’t work). Additional users can be assigned later.
• Available VM quota – Ensure your subscription has enough quota for a Standard_D4ds_v4 virtual machine. If needed, you can request a quota increase here!
• Internet access for the VM – The deployed virtual machine must have internet access to connect to required Azure services

Step-by-Step Walkthrough

1. Access AVD Quickstart

In this step we will Launch Quick-Start via Azure Portal

• Sign into the Azure portal.

• Navigate to the Azure Virtual Desktop blade and select Quickstart on the left pane.

• Select Create under the Get Started Quickly with Azure Virtual Desktop heading. 2. Configure Basic Settings

• On the Basics tab, you’ll need to fill out the following details.

PARAMETER	DESCRIPTION
Subscription	Choose the Azure subscription for the deployment.
Location	Select the Azure region where resources will be created.
Username	Enter a name for the local administrator account on the session host. (See username requirements for details.)
Password	Set a password for the local administrator account. (See password requirements for details.)
Confirm Password	Re-enter the password to confirm.

3. Assign Users

• Under User Assignment, select up at least one user.
• In the pane that appears, search for and select the user account(s) or group(s) you want to assign access to this desktop.
• Click Select to confirm.

4. Review and Deploy

In the last step validate all the configurations, see the details in Review & Create Tab, once everything is green click on the create button.

• Click Review + create to validate the configuration.
• After validation, review the details and select Create to start the deployment.

Wrapping Up: AVD QuickStart in Action

AVD QuickStart offers a fast, hassle-free way to explore Azure Virtual Desktop without the complexity of traditional setup. Whether you’re evaluating AVD for the first time or need a quick proof-of-concept environment, this streamlined deployment approach delivers real value—saving time while providing a hands-on experience.

With the transition to the Windows App and continued evolution of AVD capabilities, there’s never been a better time to get acquainted with these tools and stay ahead of the curve.

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