TURNing the Tide: How Microsoft is Supercharging AVD and Windows 365 Connectivity with Global TURN Relay Expansion

Microsoft is making a significant upgrade to its network infrastructure that directly benefits Azure Virtual Desktop (AVD) and Windows 365 users. In a move that reflects its commitment to delivering low-latency, high-performance remote desktop experiences globally, Microsoft is expanding its TURN relay support from 14 to over 40 regions worldwide.

This change might sound technical, but its impact is simple: faster, more reliable, and more secure connections for remote desktops and cloud PCs. Let’s unpack what this means and why it matters.

What is TURN Relay and Why is it Important?

TURN (Traversal Using Relays around NAT) is a protocol used to help users connect across restrictive networks—like firewalls and NAT devices—that block direct peer-to-peer traffic. If you’ve ever used Microsoft Teams or connected to an AVD session behind a corporate firewall, there’s a good chance a TURN relay helped make that connection possible.

In AVD and Windows 365, TURN relays are critical when:

• Direct UDP connections cannot be established.
• The environment (like hotels, airports, or strict corporate networks) blocks certain types of traffic.

A TURN relay steps in as the middleman, ensuring your session connects smoothly—no matter how complex the network environment.

What’s Changing?

From 14 to Over 40 Global TURN Relay Regions

Microsoft is more than tripling the number of TURN relay regions across the globe. This will:

• Reduce round-trip latency by serving users from a geographically closer relay.
• Improve connection stability, especially in bandwidth-constrained or high-latency regions.
• Offer better resilience with more failover options.

Dedicated IP Range for Windows 365 TURN Traffic

Microsoft is also introducing a separate IP range dedicated solely to Windows 365 TURN relay traffic, isolating it from Azure Communication Services (ACS) traffic.

This brings several advantages:

• Optimized Routing: Network admins can now easily route Windows 365 traffic through specialized paths or QoS rules.
• Enhanced Security & Compliance: By using a dedicated range, organizations can whitelist only what’s necessary.
• Bypass Network Restrictions: In heavily firewalled environments, this makes it easier to allow Windows 365 traffic without opening up unnecessary ports or services.
• Improved Quality: Less competition for resources = more consistent user experiences.

Why This Matters to You

If you’re an IT admin, cloud architect, or end user relying on AVD or Windows 365 for your daily productivity, these upgrades are game-changers:

• Faster load times for desktops
• Fewer connection drops in restrictive networks
• Better video and audio quality in Teams for AVD
• Easier firewall and proxy configuration

Whether you’re connecting from a corporate office, home, or halfway around the world, you’ll now benefit from more local relay endpoints and smarter traffic routing.

Wrapping Up

This TURN relay expansion and traffic optimization is a quiet yet powerful step toward making Microsoft’s remote desktop services even more resilient and performant.

As organizations continue to adopt hybrid work and cloud-based computing, improvements like these help ensure that users have the best possible experience—anytime, anywhere.

Stay tuned for more updates as Microsoft continues to evolve the AVD and Windows 365 platforms to meet the demands of the modern workplace.

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