Updated – 06/10/2021 – The AZ-140 exam guide below shows the changes that will be implemented starting on September 24, 2021. This article has been updated to reflect the new exam objectives added by Microsoft and new study references to help you prepare successfully.
Updated – 30/03/2021 – To receive the discount, when you register for the AZ-140 exam, please check the exam registration section below.
In this article, I will share with you how to prepare and pass the AZ-140: Azure Virtual Desktop Specialty certification exam successfully.
In This Article
Introduction
Microsoft is keeping evolving its learning programs to help you and your career keep pace with today’s demanding IT environments. The new updated role-based certifications will help you to keep pace with today’s business requirements. Microsoft Learning is constantly evolving its learning program to better offer what you need to skill up, prove your expertise to employers and peers, and get the recognition—and opportunities you’ve earned.
At the Azure Virtual Desktop Master Class in late January 2021, Microsoft announced a new certification specialty exam for Azure Virtual Desktop: Configuring and Operating Microsoft Azure Virtual Desktop.
Exam Preparation
While preparing to take this exam myself, I would like to share with you how to prepare and pass the AZ-140: Configuring and Operating Microsoft Azure Virtual Desktop exam successfully.
This exam will be available in March 2021 in the Beta phase at the time of this writing. Beta exams are not scored immediately because Microsoft is gathering data on the quality of the questions and the exam. This exam is out of the Beta phase now and it’s Public. I will update this article as soon as I get the exam results from Microsoft.
Updated on 14/10/2021 – In this exam, I got around 56 questions in total with 2 case studies, and 2 sections with Yes/No answers, no lab questions but this might change in the future. The total time for this exam is 100 minutes (1.40 hours). The exam is very long and a bit tough, you need to manage your time and prepare very well. The questions do pretty much match the list of skills measured below.
I am so happy and grateful now that I received the final report for the AZ-140 Configuring and Operating Microsoft Azure Virtual Desktop with a high passing score as shown in the exam report below!
Exam Target Audience
The candidates for this exam are Microsoft Azure administrators with subject matter expertise in planning, delivering, and managing virtual desktop experiences and remote applications, for any device, on Azure.
The responsibilities for this role include deploying virtual desktop experiences and apps to Azure. Professionals in this role deliver applications on Azure Virtual Desktop and optimize them to run in multi-session virtual environments. To deliver these experiences, they work closely with the Azure administrators and architects, along with Microsoft 365 Administrators.
To prepare for this exam, you should have experience in Azure technologies, including virtualization, networking, identity, storage, backups, resilience, and disaster recovery. They should understand on-premises virtual desktop infrastructure technologies as they relate to migrating to Azure Virtual Desktop. These professionals use the Azure portal and Azure Resource Manager templates to accomplish many tasks. This role may use PowerShell and Azure Command-Line Interface (CLI) for more efficient automation.
Please note that to take this exam, you must have expert Azure administration skills. Check my AZ-104 Exam: Microsoft Certified Azure Administrator Associate study guide to get prepared.
Prerequisites
Successful Azure Virtual Desktop administrators start this role with experience in operating systems, virtualization, and cloud infrastructure.
This knowledge includes:
- Understanding of on-premises virtualization technologies, including VMs, virtual networking, and virtual hard disks.
- Understanding of network configuration, including TCP/IP, Domain Name System (DNS), virtual private networks (VPNs), firewalls, and encryption technologies.
- Understanding of Active Directory and Azure Active Directory concepts, including users, groups, role-based accessed control.
- Understanding of resilience and disaster recovery, including backup and restore operations.
Skills measured on this exam
This exam measures your ability to accomplish the technical topics listed below based on the latest update from Microsoft.
I have also included the direct link to the Microsoft documentation so you can read more about each objective.
Plan an Azure Virtual Desktop Architecture (10-15%)
Design the Azure Virtual Desktop architecture
- Assess existing physical and virtual desktop environments
- Assess network capacity and speed requirements for Azure Virtual Desktop
- Recommend an operating system for an Azure Virtual Desktop implementation
- Plan and configure name resolution for Active Directory (AD) and Azure Active Directory Domain Services (Azure AD DS)
- Plan a host pools architecture
- Recommend resource groups, subscriptions, and management groups
- Configure a location for the Azure Virtual Desktop metadata
- Calculate and recommend a configuration for performance requirements
- Calculate and recommend a configuration for Azure Virtual Machine capacity requirements
Design for user identities and profiles
- Select an appropriate licensing model for Azure Virtual Desktop based on requirements
- Recommend an appropriate storage solution (including Azure NetApp Files versus Azure Files)
- Plan for Azure Virtual Desktop client deployment
- Connect with the Windows Desktop client
- Connect to Azure Virtual Desktop with the web client
- Connect to Azure Virtual Desktop with the Android client
- Connect to Azure Virtual Desktop with the macOS client
- Connect to Azure Virtual Desktop with the iOS client
- Connect with the Microsoft Store client
- Linux support
- Plan for user profiles
- Recommend a solution for network connectivity
- Plan for Azure AD Connect for user identities
Implement an Azure Virtual Desktop Infrastructure (25-30%)
Implement and manage networking for Azure Virtual Desktop
- Implement Azure virtual network connectivity
- Manage connectivity to the internet and on-premises networks
- Implement and manage network security
- Manage Azure Virtual Desktop session hosts by using Azure Bastion
- Monitor and troubleshoot network connectivity
Implement and manage storage for Azure Virtual Desktop
- Configure storage for FSLogix components
- Configure storage accounts
- Configure disks
- Create file shares
Create and configure host pools and session hosts
- Create a host pool by using the Azure portal
- Automate the creation of Azure Virtual Desktop host and host pools by using PowerShell, Command-Line Interface (CLI), and Azure Resource Manager templates
- Create a host pool based on Windows client or Windows Server session hosts
- Configure host pool settings
- Manage to license for session hosts that run Windows client or Windows Server
- Assign users to host pools
- Apply OS and application updates to a running Azure Virtual Desktop host
- Apply security and compliance settings to session hosts
Create and manage session host images
- Create a gold image
- Modify a session host image
- Install language packs in Azure Virtual Desktop
- Deploy a session host by using a custom image
- Plan for image update and management
- Create and use a Shared Image Gallery
- Troubleshoot OS issues related to Azure Virtual Desktop
Manage Access and Security (10-15%)
Manage access
- Plan and implement Azure roles and role-based access control (RBAC) for Azure Virtual Desktop
- Manage roles, groups, and rights assignments on Azure Virtual Desktop session hosts
- Configure user restrictions by using AD group policies and Azure policies
Manage security
- Plan and implement Conditional Access policies for connections to Azure Virtual Desktop
- Plan and implement multifactor authentication in Azure Virtual Desktop
- Manage security by using Azure Security Center
- Configure Microsoft Defender Antivirus for session hosts
Manage User Environments and Apps (20-25%)
Implement and manage FSLogix
- Plan for FSLogix
- Install and configure FSLogix
- Configure Profile Containers
- Configure Cloud Cache
- Migrate user profiles to FSLogix
Configure user experience settings
- Configure Universal Print
- Configure user settings through group policies and Endpoint Manager policies
- Configure persistent and non-persistent desktop environments
- Configure Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP) properties on a host pool
- Configure session timeout properties
- Troubleshoot user profile issues
- Troubleshoot Azure Virtual Desktop clients
Install and configure apps on a session host
- Configure dynamic application delivery by using MSIX App Attach
- Implement application masking
- Deploy an application as a RemoteApp
- Implement and manage OneDrive for Business for a multi-session environment
- Implement and manage Microsoft Teams AV Redirect
- Implement and manage browsers and internet access for Azure Virtual Desktop sessions
- Create and configure an application group
- Troubleshoot application issues related to Azure Virtual Desktop
Monitor and Maintain an Azure Virtual Desktop Infrastructure (20-25%)
Plan and implement business continuity and disaster recovery
- Plan and implement a disaster recovery plan for Azure Virtual Desktop
- Design a backup strategy for Azure Virtual Desktop
- Configure backup and restore for FSLogix user profiles, personal virtual desktop infrastructures (VDIs), and golden images
Automate Azure Virtual Desktop management tasks
- Configure automation for Azure Virtual Desktop
- Automate the management of host pools, session hosts, and user sessions by using PowerShell and Azure Command-Line Interface (CLI)
- Implement autoscaling in host pools
Monitor and manage performance and health
- Monitor Azure Virtual Desktop by using Azure Monitor
- Monitor Azure Virtual Desktop by using Azure Advisor
- Customize Azure Monitor workbooks for Azure Virtual Desktop monitoring
- Optimize session host capacity and performance
- Manage active sessions and application groups
- Monitor and optimize autoscaling results
Learning Paths
At the time of this writing, Microsoft did not publish the official learning path for this exam yet. However, I gathered all the resources available to help you get prepared ahead of time and pass this exam.
I highly recommend you start practicing how to implement Azure Virtual Desktop in the enterprise by following the online course and the step-by-step guide below:
1) Implementing Azure Virtual Desktop: Azure Virtual Desktop Overview and Architecture.
2) Implementing Azure Virtual Desktop: WVD Deployment, Profile management, Identity, and Security.
3) Implementing Azure Virtual Desktop: WVD Infrastructure Management.
4) Implementing Azure Virtual Desktop: WVD Assessment, Migration, and Optimization.
5) Hands-on lab preparation guide: Implementing Azure Virtual Desktop in the enterprise.
6) Hands-on lab step-by-step guide: Implementing Azure Virtual Desktop in the enterprise.
The hands-on lab is brought to you by Microsoft Cloud Workshop.
Additionally, you can study and go through the following resources that will help you to get prepare for this exam based on the topics covered in the learning objectives for each domain:
1) Azure Virtual Desktop – Product vision, latest news, and roadmap.
2) Security Practices for Azure Virtual Desktop Environments – How to increase the security posture of your Azure Virtual Desktop deployment.
- Azure Virtual Desktop – Security Best Practices.
3) Azure Virtual Desktop – Operating your Azure Virtual Desktop environment at scale.
4) Azure Virtual Desktop – Simplifying image and application management.
5) Azure Virtual Desktop – Cost Optimization.
6) Azure Virtual Desktop – Using GPUs to improve user experience and scalability.
7) Azure Virtual Desktop – Migrating to Azure Virtual Desktop.
8) Azure Virtual Desktop – AZ-140 AVD Study Guide YouTube Playlist by Dean Cefola.
Microsoft Learn – Study Resources
To prepare for this exam, I use the new Microsoft Learn which is a great resource and provides self-paced skills training on delivering remote desktops and applications from Azure with Azure Virtual Desktop. I highly recommend checking the following modules:
1) Introduction to Azure Virtual Desktop in Microsoft Azure ( 6 units).
2) Prepare for Azure Virtual Desktop in Microsoft Azure (7 units).
3) Deploy Azure Virtual Desktop in Microsoft Azure (7 units).
4) Optimize Azure Virtual Desktop in Microsoft Azure (7 units).
5) Secure an Azure Virtual Desktop deployment (9 units).
6) Deploy applications by using the MSIX app attach for Azure Virtual Desktop (7 units).
Training Labs
Check the following step-by-step hands-on labs that will help you to gain more practical experience in configuring and operating Microsoft Azure Virtual Desktop.
The labs comprise two separate tracks, depending on the identity provider you decide to use.
Active Directory Domain Services (AD DS). This track consists of the following labs:
1) LAB 01: Prepare for the deployment of Azure Virtual Desktop ADDS
2) LAB 02: Deploy host pools and session hosts with the Azure Portal ADDS
3) LAB 03: Implement and manage storage for AVD ADDS
4) LAB 04: Deploy host pools and hosts with ARM templates ADDS
5) LAB 05: Deploy and manage host pools and hosts with PowerShell ADDS
6) LAB 06: Create and manage session host images ADDS
7) LAB 07: Configure Conditional Access policies for AVD ADDS
8) LAB 08: Implement and manage AVD profiles ADDS
9) LAB 09: Package Azure Virtual Desktop applications ADDS
10) LAB 10: Implement autoscaling in host pools ADDS
Azure Active Directory Domain Services (Azure AD DS). This track consists of the following labs:
1) LAB 01: Prepare for the deployment of Azure Virtual Desktop AADDS
2) LAB 02: Create and configure host pools and session hosts AADDS
3) LAB 03: Implement and manage storage for Azure Virtual Desktop AADDS
4) LAB 04: Implement and manage Azure Virtual Desktop profiles AADDS
Schedule AZ-140 Exam
At the time of this writing, Microsoft launched the AZ-140 exam in beta mode, if you would like to take the beta exam and receive the 80% discount*, use the code below when prompted for payment: AZ140LAHAINA. You must register for the exam on or before April 29, 2021. The seats are offered on a first-come, first-served basis.
Once you are ready, click Schedule exam here and take it online from the comfort of your home/office with proctor supervision.
If you are planning to take the AZ-140 exam… I wish you all the best and Happy Studying!!!
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Thank you for reading my blog.
If you have any questions or feedback, please leave a comment.
-Charbel Nemnom-
I tried the code for the exam but it doesn’t work. Is there a different one?
Thank you, Bob. Unfortunately, the exam code is expired. There are more than 300 users who got registered. There is no additional code for this exam at the moment. Sorry!