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Microsoft Azure Virtual Desktop Specialty Quick Facts
The Microsoft Azure Virtual Desktop Specialty certification is a valuable way to showcase your ability to design, implement, and manage modern desktop and app virtualization solutions in Azure. This overview provides everything you need to feel clear, confident, and well-prepared for success on exam day.
How does the Microsoft Azure Virtual Desktop Specialty certification empower your cloud career?
This certification validates your skills in building and managing desktop virtualization experiences on Azure, equipping you to deliver secure, efficient, and scalable virtual desktop infrastructures. It is ideal for IT professionals, administrators, and architects who want to demonstrate expertise in delivering seamless user environments, managing applications, and optimizing security and performance within virtualized workspaces.
Exam Domains Covered (Click to expand breakdown)
Exam Domain Breakdown
Domain 1: Plan and implement an Azure Virtual Desktop infrastructure (43.75% of the exam)
Plan, implement, and manage networking for Azure Virtual Desktop
- Assess network capacity and speed requirements for Azure Virtual Desktop
- Design network configuration for session hosts to meet requirements for Azure Virtual Desktop
- Plan and implement Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP) Shortpath and quality of service (QoS) policies
- Plan and implement an Azure Private Link solution for Azure Virtual Desktop
- Monitor and troubleshoot network connectivity
Summary: In this section, you will develop the expertise to confidently design and configure networking for Azure Virtual Desktop. Key skills include assessing bandwidth needs, configuring session host networking integration, and implementing RDP Shortpath to deliver a more robust virtual desktop experience. You will also learn how to use QoS to ensure application responsiveness in dynamic enterprise environments.
Practical implementation is emphasized, with a focus on deploying Private Link, strengthening security, and monitoring connectivity for reliability. By mastering these topics, you will be able to guarantee consistent, high-quality virtual desktop sessions while maintaining secure and optimized network performance for business-critical workloads.
Plan and implement storage for Azure Virtual Desktop user data
- Plan storage for Azure Virtual Desktop user data
- Implement storage for FSLogix components
- Implement storage accounts for Azure Virtual Desktop
- Implement file shares for Azure Virtual Desktop
- Implement Azure NetApp Files for Azure Virtual Desktop
Summary: This section ensures you can plan and deploy storage solutions that optimize performance for Azure Virtual Desktop environments. You will learn how FSLogix simplifies profile management, how to set up storage accounts, and how to leverage Azure NetApp Files for scalability and performance.
The focus extends to seamlessly implementing file shares and ensuring user data is persistent across sessions. With this knowledge, you will be able to design a storage architecture that enhances productivity, reduces login times, and supports a consistent user experience across a variety of workloads and devices.
Plan host pools and session hosts
- Recommend resource groups, subscriptions, and management groups for Azure Virtual Desktop resources
- Recommend an operating system (OS) for Azure Virtual Desktop session hosts
- Recommend an appropriate licensing model for Azure Virtual Desktop based on requirements
- Plan a host pool architecture
- Design an Azure Virtual Desktop configuration for performance requirements
- Design an Azure Virtual Desktop configuration for Azure Virtual Machines capacity requirements
Summary: This section highlights how to plan for efficient deployment of host pools and session hosts that align with both performance and organizational needs. You will learn how to recommend organizational structures using resource groups and subscriptions, choose the right OS for session hosts, and select the most appropriate licensing models.
Design considerations emphasize scalability and resource optimization, ensuring that Azure Virtual Desktop environments provide seamless experiences regardless of workloads. With these skills, you will be able to balance performance, cost efficiency, and future growth in your Azure Virtual Desktop architecture.
Implement host pools and session hosts
- Create host pools and session hosts by using the Azure portal
- Automate creation of Azure Virtual Desktop hosts and host pools by using PowerShell, Azure CLI, Azure Resource Manager templates (ARM templates), and Bicep
- Configure host pool and session host settings
- Apply a Windows client or Windows Server license to a session host
Summary: This section guides you through the actual deployment steps for host pools and session hosts. You will cover manual and automated approaches, ensuring you can handle quick builds through the portal or repeatable, scalable deployments using command-line tools and Infrastructure as Code.
By configuring settings and applying the correct licenses, you will ensure compliance and functionality for each host. These practical skills allow you to confidently roll out desktops that are ready for users, while keeping efficiency and maintainability as central design objectives.
Create and manage session host images
- Create an image manually
- Create an image by using Azure virtual machine Image Builder
- Modify an image
- Plan and implement lifecycle management for images
- Apply OS and application updates to an image
- Create a session host by using a custom image
- Plan and implement image storage, including Compute Gallery
Summary: This section emphasizes the creation and management of custom images that power session hosts. You will learn manual and automated image creation, image lifecycle best practices, and how to integrate Compute Gallery for scalable distribution.
Staying up-to-date with OS patches, application updates, and proper version management ensures secure and consistent environments for your users. Gaining these skills equips you to streamline image management workflows and optimize the performance, security, and flexibility of your Azure Virtual Desktop deployments.
Domain 2: Plan and implement identity and security (18.75% of the exam)
Plan and implement identity integration
- Select an identity scenario for Azure Virtual Desktop, including Active Directory Domain Services (AD DS), Microsoft Entra ID, and Microsoft Entra Domain Services
- Specify requirements to configure the Azure Virtual Desktop session host for an identity scenario
- Plan and implement Azure roles and role-based access control (RBAC) for Azure Virtual Desktop
- Plan and implement Conditional Access policies for connections to Azure Virtual Desktop
- Plan and implement authentication options in Azure Virtual Desktop, including passwordless, smart card, and multifactor authentication
- Manage roles, groups, and rights assignments on Azure Virtual Desktop session hosts
- Configure single sign-on
Summary: This section centers on seamlessly integrating identity into Azure Virtual Desktop. You will understand how to align with the right directory services including AD DS, Microsoft Entra ID, and Entra Domain Services, and how to configure hosts accordingly. Topics include applying RBAC for granular access control and using Conditional Access policies for optimal security.
Authentication coverage includes modern passwordless flows, smart cards, and multifactor authentication. With additional skills in SSO and group management, you will be equipped to deliver secure, frictionless user sign-ins that align with enterprise security standards.
Plan and implement security
- Plan, implement, and manage security for Azure Virtual Desktop session hosts by using Microsoft Defender for Cloud
- Configure session host protection by using Microsoft Defender Antivirus
- Configure session host protection by using Microsoft Defender for Endpoint, including onboarding and scanning options
- Implement and manage network security for connections to Azure Virtual Desktop, including user defined routes (UDRs), network security groups (NSGs), and Azure Firewall
- Configure Azure Bastion or just-in-time (JIT) for administrative access to session hosts
- Plan and implement Windows threat protection features on Azure Virtual Desktop session hosts, including Windows Defender Application Control and Controlled Folder Access
- Plan for and implement Confidential VM and Trusted Launch security features for Azure Virtual Desktop session host provisioning
Summary: This section explores the protection of session hosts and their supporting infrastructure using Microsoft’s Defender suite of tools. You will learn how to apply Microsoft Defender for Cloud, configure security baselines like Antivirus, and onboard Defender for Endpoint to maximize threat protection.
Beyond host security, you will design for robust defense in depth through UDRs, NSGs, and Azure Firewall. Advanced protections like Confidential VM and Trusted Launch further enhance security posture, ensuring Azure Virtual Desktop deployments remain resilient and aligned with enterprise-grade standards.
Domain 3: Plan and implement user environments and apps (23.75% of the exam)
Plan and implement FSLogix
- Recommend FSLogix configuration
- Configure FSLogix Profile Containers
- Configure FSLogix Office Containers
- Configure FSLogix Cloud Cache
- Implement FSLogix application masking
Summary: This section covers FSLogix, which is central to delivering persistent user experiences in Azure Virtual Desktop. You will learn about deploying and configuring profile, Office, and Cloud Cache containers to give users fast logins and personalized sessions.
Application masking is also covered, showing you how to precisely manage app visibility to users and groups. With these skills, you will be able to optimize application delivery while ensuring that profile data and settings follow users across sessions for a consistent experience.
Plan and implement user experience and client settings
- Choose an Azure Virtual Desktop client
- Choose a deployment method for the client
- Deploy and troubleshoot Azure Virtual Desktop clients
- Configure device redirection
- Configure multimedia redirection
- Configure printing and Universal Print
- Configure user settings through Microsoft Intune policies or Group Policy
- Configure Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP) properties on a host pool
- Configure session timeout properties
- Implement the Start Virtual Machine on Connect feature
- Assign and unassign personal desktops for users
Summary: This section ensures you know how to deliver high-quality end-user experiences by selecting the right client deployments and configuring settings that improve productivity. You will learn how to manage printing, multimedia enhancements, and device redirection.
Configuring session timeouts, RDP properties, and personalization options further enriches user interaction. By adding tools like Intune policy management, you will be able to create consistent, secure, and enjoyable virtual desktop experiences across devices and platforms.
Install and configure apps on a session host
- Choose a method for deploying an app to Azure Virtual Desktop
- Create and configure an application group
- Assign users to application groups
- Publish an application as a RemoteApp
- Implement and manage Microsoft 365 apps on Azure Virtual Desktop session hosts
- Implement and manage OneDrive, including multisession environments
- Implement and manage Microsoft Teams, including the Remote Desktop WebRTC Redirector Service
- Implement and manage browsers for Azure Virtual Desktop sessions
- Configure dynamic application delivery by using app attach or MSIX app attach
- Create an application package for app attach or MSIX app attach
Summary: This section develops your ability to install, configure, and manage applications for Azure Virtual Desktop. You will learn how to publish RemoteApps, manage Microsoft 365 deployments, and configure collaboration tools like Teams with optimized redirection.
You will also practice using app attach methods, including MSIX, to dynamically deliver applications based on user roles. This makes application management more efficient, providing flexibility while ensuring users have seamless access to the apps they need.
Domain 4: Monitor and maintain an Azure Virtual Desktop infrastructure (13.75% of the exam)
Monitor and manage Azure Virtual Desktop services
- Configure log collection and analysis for Azure Virtual Desktop session hosts
- Monitor Azure Virtual Desktop by using Azure Monitor
- Customize Azure Monitor workbooks for Azure Virtual Desktop Insights
- Optimize session host capacity and performance
- Implement autoscaling in host pools
- Monitor and manage active sessions and application groups
Summary: This section ensures you can effectively monitor the health and performance of Azure Virtual Desktop environments. You will learn how to configure log collection, customize reporting with Azure Monitor workbooks, and use Insights dashboards to gain actionable visibility.
Optimization practices such as autoscaling and capacity management are also emphasized. With these skills, you will be able to maintain highly available environments that balance performance with cost efficiency, supporting workloads of varying sizes and demands.
Plan and implement updates, backups, and disaster recovery
- Recommend an update strategy for session hosts
- Plan and implement a disaster recovery plan for Azure Virtual Desktop
- Plan for multi-region implementation
- Design and implement a backup strategy for Azure Virtual Desktop
- Configure backup and restore for FSLogix user profiles, personal virtual desktop infrastructures (VDIs), and golden images
Summary: This section equips you with strategies for maintaining continuity and resilience. You will learn how to plan and apply updates across session hosts, keeping systems secure and operational without disrupting user productivity.
Disaster recovery and backup planning are also key topics, including multi-region designs to ensure redundancy. With this knowledge, you can safeguard user data, profiles, and golden images, ensuring smooth recovery and sustained reliability across your virtual desktop infrastructure.
Who should consider the Microsoft Azure Virtual Desktop Specialty certification?
The Microsoft Certified: Azure Virtual Desktop Specialty certification is the perfect fit for IT professionals who specialize in creating, managing, and maintaining virtual desktop environments using Microsoft Azure technologies. This certification is designed for system administrators, virtualization engineers, and IT support professionals who want to strengthen their expertise in virtual application delivery and desktop deployment at scale.
It is also highly valuable for professionals engaging with desktop modernization strategies within enterprises, as well as consultants who often advise organizations on moving away from traditional on-premises VDI solutions. This certification demonstrates your ability to design and implement secure, resilient, and high-performing virtual desktop infrastructure (VDI) solutions in the Azure cloud.
Which roles can benefit from Microsoft AZ-140 certification?
The AZ-140: Configuring and Operating Microsoft Azure Virtual Desktop exam can open opportunities in multiple IT paths. Career roles that significantly benefit from this specialty include:
- Azure Virtual Desktop Administrator
- Systems Engineer or Systems Administrator
- Cloud Monitoring Engineer
- Infrastructure Engineer
- Application Virtualization Specialist
Additionally, this certification is an excellent differentiator for Microsoft partners and consultants who help clients move applications and desktops to the cloud. Employers value professionals with this certification because it proves that you can deliver apps and desktops under modern cloud-driven work environments.
What is the exam code for the Microsoft Azure Virtual Desktop Specialty?
The official exam code for this certification is AZ-140. This exam evaluates your ability to both configure and operate an Azure Virtual Desktop environment, which includes tasks such as networking, identity, storage, and monitoring.
When employers and recruiters see AZ-140 on a candidate’s resume, it highlights that the candidate possesses practical, hands-on knowledge of Azure Virtual Desktop solutions, not just theoretical expertise.
How many questions should I expect on the AZ-140 exam?
The AZ-140 exam typically contains around 60 questions. The questions are presented in a variety of formats, including multiple choice, multi-select, and case study scenarios.
Some questions test foundational knowledge, while others simulate real-world environments where you may need to configure network settings or troubleshoot desktop performance. Microsoft aims to mirror the types of decisions Azure professionals actually make in production settings.
How long is the Microsoft Azure Virtual Desktop Specialty (AZ-140) exam?
You will have 100 minutes to complete the AZ-140 exam. This time frame is specifically designed to give you ample opportunity to thoughtfully evaluate scenario-based problems and multiple services integration tasks.
It is important to pace yourself accordingly by not spending too much time on one question. Many test-takers find that reviewing the exam’s domain weightings beforehand helps them better prioritize their energy during the exam.
What is the exam cost for AZ-140?
The cost of taking the AZ-140 exam is $165 USD, though taxes may apply depending on your region. Prices in some countries may vary slightly due to local currency conversions.
For many professionals, this fee is a small investment compared to the career growth that comes from demonstrating Azure Virtual Desktop expertise. Some employers may also cover the cost of the exam as part of professional development budgets.
What languages is the Azure Virtual Desktop certification exam available in?
Microsoft ensures accessibility by offering the exam in multiple languages. The AZ-140 exam can be taken in English, German, Spanish, French, Japanese, Portuguese (Brazil), and Simplified Chinese.
If your preferred language isn’t available, Microsoft permits candidates to request additional time accommodations. This inclusivity ensures that candidates worldwide can fairly demonstrate their skills.
What is the passing score for the Microsoft AZ-140 exam?
To pass the AZ-140 exam, you need to achieve a 700 out of 1000. Microsoft uses a scaled scoring system, which ensures fairness across variations of exam versions.
This means you don’t need to pass each individual domain; rather, your overall score determines whether you earn your certification. Preparing across all major domains is still important, but this flexibility allows for a balanced evaluation of your skills.
How difficult is the AZ-140 certification exam?
The AZ-140 certification is considered an intermediate-level exam. It is highly achievable for administrators who have hands-on experience with Microsoft Azure, virtual desktop deployments, and related technologies.
The exam validates your practical real-world knowledge, so candidates who practice with Azure Virtual Desktop environments and get familiar with related services like FSLogix, Microsoft Entra ID, and Azure Monitor typically succeed. To boost confidence, many professionals train with realistic Microsoft Azure Virtual Desktop practice exams that closely simulate the question formats and scenario-based problems.
What are the domains covered in the AZ-140 exam?
The AZ-140 exam concentrates on four primary domains:
-
Plan and implement an Azure Virtual Desktop infrastructure (40–45%)
- Networking and host pool planning
- Session host images and storage integration
- Lifecycle management configurations
-
Plan and implement identity and security (15–20%)
- Authentication and RBAC configuration
- Microsoft Entra integration
- Network security strategies
-
Plan and implement user environments and apps (20–25%)
- FSLogix configuration
- User experience optimization and client settings
- Application deployment, including OneDrive, Teams, and RemoteApp publishing
-
Monitor and maintain Azure Virtual Desktop infrastructure (10–15%)
- Autoscaling, optimization, monitoring with Azure Monitor
- Backup, disaster recovery, and multi-region planning
By focusing on these areas, you can study strategically with attention to the highest-weight domains first.
How long will the certification remain valid?
The Microsoft Certified: Azure Virtual Desktop Specialty credential is valid for 12 months. Unlike some certifications that last longer, Microsoft wants to ensure that certified professionals remain knowledgeable about the rapidly evolving features in Azure Virtual Desktop services.
Fortunately, renewal is free and easily done online by passing a short, unproctored assessment on Microsoft Learn. This allows you to stay certified without additional cost while continuously staying up to date.
Are there any prerequisites before taking the AZ-140 exam?
There are no official prerequisites, which makes the AZ-140 exam widely accessible. However, Microsoft does recommend that candidates have hands-on experience with Azure solutions, particularly in areas such as compute, networking, identity, and storage.
If you have previously earned an Azure Administrator certification or have spent time working in virtual desktop environments, you will be particularly well-prepared.
What kind of questions appear on the AZ-140 exam?
The exam contains multiple-choice, multi-select, and case study questions. You can expect scenario-based problems where you are asked to select the best solution for a business requirement.
Example formats include network troubleshooting situations, storage configuration choices, or user experience optimization settings. Because the exam blends knowledge-based and practical questions, practicing with simulations significantly helps.
What skills will I demonstrate by passing this certification?
By passing the AZ-140 exam, you showcase your ability to:
- Design and configure Azure Virtual Desktop infrastructure
- Implement effective identity and security management
- Deploy and manage apps across virtual desktops
- Monitor and optimize for performance and disaster recovery
These skills prove that you can confidently handle enterprise-level deployments that balance performance, scalability, and security.
How do I prepare effectively for AZ-140?
Preparation for AZ-140 should combine self-paced learning, hands-on practice, and exam readiness tools. Recommended activities include:
- Exploring learning paths on Microsoft Learn for Azure Virtual Desktop
- Configuring test environments in Azure to gain experience with host pools, FSLogix, and identity integration
- Practicing with lab environments where you can deploy applications and optimize client performance
Many candidates also supplement with instructor-led training or group study sessions, which provide exposure to real-world challenges.
Can I renew my Azure Virtual Desktop certification?
Yes, certification renewal is free and available online. You can renew by taking the unproctored Microsoft Learn assessment, which updates you on the latest developments in Azure Virtual Desktop.
Renewing ensures you remain recognized as a current Microsoft Certified professional without needing to retake the full certification exam.
Where can I register and schedule the AZ-140 exam?
You can register for the exam through the Pearson VUE exam delivery platform, either for an in-person test center session or an online-proctored exam from home. Registration requires a free Microsoft Learning profile, which links to your certification history.
Most candidates choose to schedule online, as it provides flexibility in selecting available dates and times.
How can hands-on practice help me pass?
Hands-on practice ensures you can apply the knowledge you learn in training directly to practical problems you will encounter both in the exam and in real-world implementations. Configuring aspects like FSLogix, application publishing, and autoscaling in lab environments helps reinforce theoretical study and makes exam questions feel more familiar.
Practical trial runs also help you build confidence with Azure interface tools, such as the Azure Portal, PowerShell, and ARM templates.
What’s the best next step after earning the Azure Virtual Desktop Specialty certification?
After passing the AZ-140 exam, you can continue advancing in certifications based on your desired career path. Popular choices include:
- Microsoft Certified: Azure Administrator Associate (for broader administration responsibilities)
- Microsoft Certified: Azure Solutions Architect Expert (for advanced design-focused professionals)
- Microsoft Certified: Azure Security Engineer Associate (for those passionate about securing VDI environments)
These certifications help you specialize further while positioning you as a versatile Azure professional.
Where can I learn more about this Microsoft certification?
You can explore more details on the official Microsoft Azure Virtual Desktop Specialty certification page. This resource provides direct updates, exam objectives, and official learning paths to support your exam journey.
The Microsoft Certified: Azure Virtual Desktop Specialty certification is an invaluable credential for IT professionals wanting to demonstrate expertise in delivering modern, cloud-powered desktop and application experiences. With strong preparation, hands-on practice, and smart use of resources, you’ll be ready to master the AZ-140 exam and confidently advance your cloud career.
