Azure Virtual Desktop (AVD), formerly known as Windows Virtual Desktop (WVD),[2] is a Microsoft Azure-based system for virtualizing its Windows operating systems, providing virtualized desktops and applications securely in the cloud (over the Internet) using the Remote Desktop Protocol.

[3][4][5] It is aimed at enterprise customers rather than at individual users.

[6] Azure Virtual Desktop with Windows 10/11 Enterprise Multi-Session is a cloud-based alternative to an on-premise Remote Desktop Server (RDS).

AVD is deployed in Azure Cloud as a virtual machine.

Azure Virtual Desktop was first announced by Microsoft in September 2018,[7] available as a public preview in March 2019,[8] and generally available at the end of September 2019.