Greetings from the Azure Virtual Desktop (AVD) Community Newsletter (October 2nd, 2026)
We are delighted to present the 126th edition of our community newsletter, released on October 2nd, 2026. Our primary objective is to provide you with indispensable insights, tactics, and guidance to enhance your experience with Azure Virtual Desktop.
As our community thrives and grows, we greet all our new members with a heartfelt greeting. Whether you’re an experienced IT professional or just starting your journey in virtual desktop infrastructure, we encourage you to actively participate in discussions, share your expertise, and provide valuable feedback. Your input is precious to us as it allows us to improve our services and foster a supportive environment for everyone involved. Welcome aboard!
Community Contributions
Entra ID Kerberos and FSLogix – Azure Academy Shorts series
Dean Cefola has published a five-part YouTube Shorts series on Entra ID Kerberos for Entra-joined AVD session hosts with FSLogix on Azure Files. You can watch them here – Entra ID Kerberos Replaces Active Directory, Configure Entra ID Hosts for Kerberos, Entra Joined Hosts Need Cloud Kerberos Ticket Retrieval, Do You Want The Best Settings For FSLogix Kerberos and
Android & macOS support for in-session passwordless authentication (Preview)
Michele Blum has written a blogpost on the new in-session passwordless authentication preview in Windows App for macOS and Android.
Use TWAIN Scanners in Remote Sessions for Windows 365 with Intune
Vaishnav K has written a blogpost on configuring TWAIN scanner redirection for Cloud PCs with Intune.
LLM-Driven Implants on AVD Session Hosts: Detection Baselines, Sentinel Rules, and Containment
Wayne Markovich has written a blogpost on detecting and containing malware on pooled AVD session hosts with Defender and Sentinel.
Vendor Links
Nerdio Manager for Enterprise 8.2: Modernize and operate Windows Cloud your way
Nerdio has released NME 8.2 with AVD Hybrid on Nutanix (and VMware vSphere in preview), Global Pools, App Metering, an MCP server and Terraform module previews.
Hydra 2.9.0: Better Visibility from Images to User Experience
Login VSI has released Hydra 2.9.0 with an Image Inventory, network insights in Hydra Lens and Windows App launch from the self-service portal.
Login VSI Announces General Availability of Atlas, the AI Assistant for Login Enterprise
Login VSI has made Atlas generally available via Azure Marketplace, running in your own tenant with read-only access.
Microsoft Links
Now generally available: Regional resiliency for Azure Virtual Desktop
Regional host pools are now GA in East US 2 and Central US. Host pool metadata is stored in a database in the region you choose rather than a shared geography, so a regional outage stays contained. More regions and migration tooling for existing host pools are on the way. This lands the same week AVD (classic) reached retirement on September 30th.
What’s new in Windows 365: September 2026 recap
Windows 365 turns five! The September recap covers TWAIN scanner redirection, user-initiated provisioning for Windows 365 Reserve, RDP connectivity improvements and assigning multiple Cloud PC configurations to one user. In the week of September 28th, bulk deprovisioning of Cloud PCs in grace period went GA and Windows 11 26H2 gallery images arrived.
An IT pro’s guide to Windows 11, version 26H2
Windows 11 26H2 is generally available, and 26H2 images are now in Azure Marketplace for AVD and in the Windows 365 gallery.
Wrap up
As we conclude another edition of the AVD Community Newsletter, we extend our heartfelt gratitude for your unwavering support and active engagement. Your contributions, insights, and enthusiasm play a vital role in maintaining our community’s vibrancy, inclusivity, and forward-thinking spirit.
Please stay connected with us through social media channels and join the ongoing conversations on the AVD Community forums. We look forward to your participation in upcoming events, webinars, and workshops. Let’s continue cultivating a thriving ecosystem that drives innovation and success in the AVD industry.
Until we meet again, stay curious, informed, and connected!
