Bulk Start/Stop of Azure Virtual Desktop Session Hosts in a Host Pool via Single Trigger
Hi Community, We manage an Azure Virtual Desktop (AVD) host pool with a large number of session hosts (e.g., around 100), and we’re looking for a way to start or stop all session hosts in bulk using a single trigger—preferably via PowerShell or an API. Currently, we use a scheduled script that loops through each VM individually to start or stop them, but this approach doesn't scale well. We’ve noticed that the Azure Portal provides a one-click option to start or stop all session hosts in a host pool, and we’re trying to replicate that behavior programmatically. What We’re Looking For: A PowerShell command or script that can start/stop all session hosts in a host pool without iterating through each VM. If PowerShell doesn’t support this directly, is there an ARM template, Azure CLI command, REST API, or any other method that can be triggered from PowerShell to perform this bulk action? Any official documentation, community guidance, or examples from someone who has achieved this would be greatly appreciated. Goal: To simplify and optimize our automation by using a single command or API call to manage all session hosts in a host pool, rather than looping through each machine individually. Thanks in advance for your help and suggestions!
Latest Remote Desktop client not starting on W10 LTSB 1607
Hello. We're using about 50 thin-clients to connect to our AVD systems. The HP t530 thin-clients are running Windows 10 Enterprise 2016 LTSB / ver 1607 / build 14393 / RS1 and have the Remote Desktop client for Windows (msi) installed, with auto update enabled. This all worked fine until the most recent releases of the Remote Desktop client. Starting with version 1.2.6186 the app simply doesn't start anymore. There's no gui, no errors, nothing. Just for a few seconds the spinning blue circle next to the cursor. It does create msrdcw_xxx.etl files in %temp%\DiagOutputDir\RdClientAutoTrace, however i couldn't locate any obvious errors in it. Upgrading to 1.2.6187 does fixes the problem temporary (but that's probably because it's actually based on the older 1.2.6081 version). Upgrading to the latest releases 1.2.6188, 1.2.6227 and 1.2.6228 reintroduces the problem. It's not something in the thin-client image, also did a fresh Win10 1607 install with latest Windows Updates, same problem. Is there anything i can do or try, except blocking all future updates and staying on 1.2.6187?
Single-Sign On
After troubleshooting an issue for a customer, we determined that the prerequisites for enabling SSO at the AVD host pool level is not strictly enforced when a user goes to execute the SSO workflow from MSRDC or the Windows App. Meaning, that if an administrator does not enable the -IsRemoteDesktopEnabled flag on the Service Principals "Microsoft Remote Desktop" and "Windows Cloud Login" respectively. Setup: Deploy Entra ID Joined session hosts to a host pool and enable the "Microsoft Entra single sign-on" RDP property to "Connections will use Microsoft Entra authentication to provide single sign-on" or update the RDP connection string with 'enablerdsaadauth:i:1'. Result: User will not receive the 'Windows Security' dialog box to access the session host with their Entra ID credentials. Caveat: Be aware that to sign in with Entra ID credentials, minimally, the host pool RDP settings must contain 'targetisaddjoined:i:1'. Microsoft states this is going away and blending into 'enablerdsaadauth:i:1', which also enables SSO. It seems a bit odd of a move in my opinion and having two separate RDP properties makes sense if a company does not want SSO. But it is in alignment with Microsoft's push for passwordless authentication. For the Microsoft AVD team, why does this behavior exist and is it on the roadmap to be fixed if it's a known gap?
Azure Virtual Desktop
Hi There Hope you are doing great! I am new to Azure and Virtual Desktop and require some help to set it up correctly. I have created and setup the Virtual Desktop but looking for an option to automatically shut it down and deallocate, there is only 1 machine running and usually 1 user connects to it. if that user is not accessing the machine it needs to be deallocated after 30 or 15 min. Is it something anyone can help? Many Thanks
Issues with FSLogix Profiles
Hey guys we have a AVD environment with Windows 11 23h2 Multiuser session host's in a pooled Hostpool configured. The users are connecting via ThinClients with IgelOS and the AVD Client to the AVD Desktop. We have hybrid joined session host's which worked just fine till the 12th of December. We discovered that from different locations where the users are connected the have some issues with the FSLogix Profiles. It seems that the client lost connection to the session host when using short path with udp. then the users are trying to reconnect and get a temporary profile. There was no change currently. We were able to solve the issue with just create new session host with Hydra and remove the old ones. But the issue is getting back of course. In the logs in Azure I see the error: ShortpathTransportNetworkDrop The session host lost connection to the client because of an unexpected network error in the Shortpath transport. Check your network quality and configurations, then try again. Does anybody have similar issues or know what could cause that? I checked with our Network Team and they don't see any issues on their side. Many thanks for any feedback Best regards, MarcPassword expired for Hybrid Users
Hey guys we have a AVD environment configured with hybrid users working on windows 11 23h2 multiuser session host's in a pooled session host. As access devices we use either Thinclients with IgelOS and the AVD Client or Windows 11 Notebooks with the Windows App installed on it. The users passwords are expire every 3 months. I see in the Azure Log Analytics Log some errors with expired passwords. We have Password Writeback enabled on the Entra ID Connect Server. Is there a way to present the user let's say 14 days ahead that the password is going to expire soon? Many thanks for your feedback Best regards, Marc
Guidance on using Azure Virtual Desktop
We are looking for a VDI solution and choose AVD. I have gone through MS Documentation but things are quite confusing and complicated. We have a team of 10 developers who are mainly into Biztalk and another set of 10 developers who are salesforce and other development works. They use Visual Studio, VS Code, Biztalk Server, and various other applications and services for their regular work. Initially we thought of option to create Azure VM (20 VMs one for each developer, Windows 2019 Server Image for Biztalk devs and Windows 11 for other devs)use a Generalize VM and spin up the images using the capture of the previous generalized VM image. But there was a point raised why can't we use Azure Virtual Desktop ? As I learned there are 2 types of host pools: Pooled (Multi sessions) Personal (Direct assignment of Host VM to each individual Developer) This AVD Host pools/ VMs should be able to work with external SQL Servers. All the 20 VMs in AVD should be able to access, how can this be possible , what should be the connection string for granting access to external SQL Servers ? As I understand, if I opt for Pooled AVD Hostpools, all the above 10 developers can utilize the multi sessions (whatever number of VMs we choose, ex., 5 VMs, sessions will be distributed !) they will be assigned to developers as per load balancing. Similarly if I choose personal (10 Windows Server 2019 & another 10 Windows 11) I need to create 20 VMs and assign the 20 VMs individually to each of 20 developers in the team. is my understanding correct? Should I create 2 different workspaces and 2 application groups ? Also I learned if I use FSLogix along with Azure Virtual Desktop (AVD) I can manage users using profile management , will this actually help developers who uses the VS Code, Biztalk Server and other Azure services for their work daily ? Also based on all the facts above , please help me understand which suits the requirement well, please advice, if I choose Azure Virtual Desktop over Azure VMs or vice-versa, what are the benefits or disadvantages of AVD. Is it cost effective if I use pooled or personal AVD Host pool VMs or Azure VMs , which one suits better for us, please advice. Experts please help me with all this confusion ? Kind Regards