Microsoft have recently released a new exam and certification based around Azure Virtual Desktop (AZ-140 Azure Virtual Desktop Speciality)
When this exam was first announced into beta I jumped at the opportunity to take it, as test my AVD knowledge.
As with other beta exams there was quite a long delay from taking the exam and finding out my results. Beta exams are not scored immediately and you will normally receive your results within 2 weeks of the exam live publication date.
You usually receive your exam score about two weeks after the exam becomes available worldwide (known as “live”)—this can be up to 16 weeks after you take the exam, depending on when in the beta period you took the exam. This time window reflects the comprehensive process used to evaluate the beta exam results, including statistically analysing the data to evaluate the performance of each question and reading and evaluating all comments provided during the beta exam. The rescore process starts on the day that exams go live, and final scores are released approximately 10 business days later.
Microsoft (Beta exams | Microsoft Docs)
The exam went live at the beginning of June and I was happy to learn that I had passed!
The purpose of this blog will be to advise on my experience with the exam and how it held up against the measured skills, as well as highlighting some resources to help with learning for the exam.
Exam Layout
The exam itself followed the standard Microsoft exam layout. There were standard multiple choice questions, a couple of case studies and some grouped scenarios questions, where you are asked a single question multiple times given a possible solution and have to choose whether it is appropriate or not.
I had about 60 questions in total including the case studies.
Being a beta exam, there were a few issues and some questions had duplicate answers or could be interpreted incorrectly due to the wording. However, these will likely be fixed in the live exam.
Measured Skills
I found that the exam was very good at covering the relevant sections noted in the exams Measured Skills.

The exam covered these areas very well and I would state it was a very fair selection of questions for each section.
Below I have added some links to documents/training that may help with each area.
Plan an Azure Virtual Desktop Architecture (10-15%)
Design the Azure Virtual Desktop architecture
- Assess existing physical and virtual desktop environment
Assess Windows Virtual Desktop for Azure – Cloud Adoption Framework | Microsoft Docs
Windows Virtual Desktop: Free Tool to See if WVD Is Right for You (lakesidesoftware.com)
Migrate Virtual Desktops to Azure – Microsoft Tech Community
How to migrate Virtual Desktop Infrastructure (VDI) to Azure and Windows Virtual Desktop – YouTube
- Assess network capacity and speed requirements for Azure Virtual Desktop
Network guidelines | Microsoft Docs
Windows Virtual Desktop Experience Estimator | Microsoft Azure
- Recommend an operating system for an Azure Virtual Desktop implementation
What is Azure Virtual Desktop? – Azure | Microsoft Docs
- Plan and configure name resolution for Active Directory (AD) and Azure Active Directory Domain Services (Azure AD DS)
Tutorial – Configure virtual networking for Azure AD Domain Services | Microsoft Docs
Manage DNS for Azure AD Domain Services | Microsoft Docs
AZ-140 ep02 | Configure Active Directory | Azure AD DNS – YouTube
- Plan a host pools architecture
Azure Virtual Desktop environment – Azure | Microsoft Docs
Azure Virtual Desktop for the enterprise – Azure Example Scenarios | Microsoft Docs
- Recommend resource groups, subscriptions and management groups
AZ-140 ep01 | Mgmt grp Subs Resource grp – YouTube
- Configure a location for the Azure Virtual Desktop metadata
Data locations for Azure Virtual Desktop – Azure | Microsoft Docs
- Calculate and recommend a configuration for performance requirements
Virtual machine sizing | Microsoft Docs
Azure VM assessments in Azure Migrate – Azure Migrate | Microsoft Docs
- Calculate and recommend a configuration for Azure Virtual Machine capacity requirements
Virtual machine sizing | Microsoft Docs
Design for user identities and profiles
- Select an appropriate licensing model for Azure Virtual Desktop based on requirements
Windows Virtual Desktop Pricing | Microsoft Azure
- Recommend an appropriate storage solutions (including Azure NetApp Files versus Azure Files)
Storage FSLogix profile container Azure Virtual Desktop – Azure | Microsoft Docs
Create an Azure Files file share with a domain controller – Azure | Microsoft Docs
FSLogix profile containers NetApp Azure Virtual Desktop – Azure | Microsoft Docs
- Plan for Azure Virtual Desktop client deployment
Azure Virtual Desktop user documentation | Microsoft Docs
AZ-140 ep10 | Plan AVD Clients – YouTube
- Plan for user profiles
AZ-140 ep08 | Plan FSLogix Profiles – YouTube
- Recommend a solution for network connectivity
Understanding Azure Virtual Desktop network connectivity – Azure | Microsoft Docs
- Plan for Azure AD Connect for user identities
Azure AD Connect sync: Understand and customize synchronization | Microsoft Docs
Azure AD Connect sync: Technical concepts | Microsoft Docs
Implement an Azure Virtual Desktop Infrastructure (25-30%)
Implement and manage networking for Azure Virtual Desktop
Azure Virtual Network | Microsoft Docs
AZ-140 ep12 | Implement AVD Network – YouTube
- Manage connectivity to internet and on-premises networks
- Implement and manage network security
Azure network security groups overview | Microsoft Docs
- Manage Azure Virtual Desktop session hosts by using Azure Bastion
Tutorial: Create an Azure Bastion host: Windows VM: portal | Microsoft Docs
Connect to a Windows VM using Azure Bastion | Microsoft Docs
- Monitor and troubleshoot network connectivity
AZ-140 ep12 | Implement AVD Network – YouTube
Azure Network Watcher | Microsoft Docs
Implement and manage storage for Azure Virtual Desktop
- Configure storage for FSLogix components
Create an Azure Files file share with a domain controller – Azure | Microsoft Docs
Deploy a two-node Storage Spaces Direct SOFS for UPD storage in Azure | Microsoft Docs
FSLogix profile containers NetApp Azure Virtual Desktop – Azure | Microsoft Docs
- Configure storage accounts
Create a storage account – Azure Storage | Microsoft Docs
- Configure disks
- Create file shares
Create an Azure file share – Azure Files | Microsoft Docs
Create and configure host pools and session hosts
- Create a host pool using the Azure portal
Azure Virtual Desktop host pool Azure portal – Azure | Microsoft Docs
- Automate creation of Azure Virtual Desktop host and host pools by using PowerShell, Command-Line Interface (CLI), and Azure Resource Manager templates
Create Azure Virtual Desktop host pool PowerShell – Azure | Microsoft Docs
RDS-Templates/wvd-templates at master · Azure/RDS-Templates · GitHub
az desktopvirtualization hostpool | Microsoft Docs
- Create a host pool based on Windows client or Windows Server session hosts
- Configure host pool settings
Customize RDP properties with PowerShell – Azure | Microsoft Docs
Configure Azure Virtual Desktop load-balancing – Azure | Microsoft Docs
- Manage licensing for session hosts that run Windows client or Windows Server
Apply Windows license to session host virtual machines – Azure | Microsoft Docs
- Assign users to host pools
Azure Virtual Desktop personal desktop assignment type – Azure | Microsoft Docs
- Apply OS and applications updates to a running Azure Virtual Desktop host
Configure Windows Update for Business (Windows 10) – Windows Deployment | Microsoft Docs
Azure Automation Update Management overview | Microsoft Docs
- Apply security and compliance settings to session hosts
Using Azure Virtual Desktop with Microsoft Intune | Microsoft Docs
Using Azure Virtual Desktop multi-session with Microsoft Endpoint Manager | Microsoft Docs
Create and manage session host images
- Create a gold image
Prepare and customize a master VHD image – Azure | Microsoft Docs
- Modify a session host image
Update Session Hosts from Latest Image | Windows Virtual Desktop – #04 – YouTube
- Install language packs in Azure Virtual Desktop
Install language packs on Windows 10 VMs in Azure Virtual Desktop – Azure | Microsoft Docs
- Deploy a session host by using a custom image
Prepare and customize a master VHD image – Azure | Microsoft Docs
Image Management | Windows Virtual Desktop – #03 – YouTube
- Plan for image update and management
Update Session Hosts from Latest Image | Windows Virtual Desktop – #04 – YouTube
- Create and use a Shared Image Gallery
Create an Azure Shared Image Gallery using the portal – Azure Virtual Machines | Microsoft Docs
- Troubleshoot OS issue related to Azure Virtual Desktop
Troubleshoot Azure Virtual Desktop Agent Issues – Azure | Microsoft Docs
Manage Access and Security (10-15%)
Manage access
- Plan and implement Azure roles and role-based access control (RBAC) for Azure Virtual Desktop
Assign Azure roles using the Azure portal – Azure RBAC | Microsoft Docs
Built-in roles Azure Virtual Desktop – Azure | Microsoft Docs
- Manage local roles groups and rights assignment on Azure Virtual Desktop session hosts
Azure Virtual Desktop personal desktop assignment type – Azure | Microsoft Docs
- Configure user restrictions by using Azure AD group policies and AD policies
Create and manage group policy in Azure AD Domain Services | Microsoft Docs
Use Group Policy to Configure Domain Member Client Computers | Microsoft Docs
Manage security
- Plan and implement Conditional Access policies for connections to Azure Virtual Desktop
What is Conditional Access in Azure Active Directory? | Microsoft Docs
Plan an Azure Active Directory Conditional Access Deployment | Microsoft Docs
- Plan and implement multifactor authentication in Azure Virtual Desktop
Set up Azure multifactor authentication for Azure Virtual Desktop – Azure | Microsoft Docs
- Manage security by using Azure Security Center
Azure Virtual Desktop security best practices – Azure | Microsoft Docs
- Configure Microsoft Defender Antivirus for session hosts
Enable Azure Security Center’s integrated workload protections | Microsoft Docs
Microsoft Defender Antivirus Virtual Desktop Infrastructure deployment guide | Microsoft Docs
Manage User Environments and Apps (20-25%)
Implement and manage FSLogix
- Plan for FSLogix
FSLogix for the enterprise – Azure Architecture Guide | Microsoft Docs
FSLogix Overview – FSLogix | Microsoft Docs
AZ-140 ep08 | Plan FSLogix Profiles – YouTube
- Install and configure FSLogix
Install FSLogix Agent – FSLogix | Microsoft Docs
- Configure Profile Containers
Configure Profile Container Tutorial – FSLogix | Microsoft Docs
Configure Office Container Tutorial – FSLogix | Microsoft Docs
- Configure Cloud Cache
Configure FSLogix Cloud Cache Tutorial – FSLogix | Microsoft Docs
- Migrate user profiles to FSLogix
FSLogix FRX Command-Line Reference – FSLogix | Microsoft Docs
Configure user experience settings
- Configure Universal Print
Universal Print | Microsoft Docs
- Configure user settings through group policies and Endpoint Manager policies
Assign device profiles in Microsoft Intune – Azure | Microsoft Docs
- Configure persistent and non-persistent desktop environments
Azure Virtual Desktop personal desktop assignment type – Azure | Microsoft Docs
Azure Virtual Desktop host pool Azure portal – Azure | Microsoft Docs
- Configure Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP) Properties on a host pool
Customize RDP properties with PowerShell – Azure | Microsoft Docs
- Configure session timeout properties
Customize RDP properties with PowerShell – Azure | Microsoft Docs
- Troubleshoot user profile issues
Profile Container trouble shooting guide – FSLogix | Microsoft Docs
FAQ: FSLogix Troubleshooting Guide (microsoft.com)
- Troubleshoot Azure Virtual Desktop clients
Azure Virtual Desktop troubleshooting overview – Azure | Microsoft Docs
Troubleshoot Remote Desktop client Azure Virtual Desktop – Azure | Microsoft Docs
Install and configure apps on a session host
- Configure dynamic application delivery by using MSIX App Attach
Azure Virtual Desktop MSIX app attach portal – Azure | Microsoft Docs
Azure Virtual Desktop MSIX app attach PowerShell – Azure | Microsoft Docs
Configure Azure Virtual Desktop MSIX app attach PowerShell scripts – Azure | Microsoft Docs
Azure Virtual Desktop prepare MSIX app attach image – Azure | Microsoft Docs
Azure Virtual Desktop set up file share MSIX app attach – Azure | Microsoft Docs
- Implement application masking
Implement Application Masking Tutorial – FSLogix | Microsoft Docs
AppMasking The Windows Start Menu – James Kindon (jkindon.com)
- Deploy an application as a RemoteApp
Manage app groups for Azure Virtual Desktop portal – Azure | Microsoft Docs
New-AzWvdApplication (Az.DesktopVirtualization) | Microsoft Docs
- Implement and manage OneDrive for Business for a multi-session environment
Install the sync app per machine – OneDrive | Microsoft Docs
Use the sync app on virtual desktops – OneDrive | Microsoft Docs
Use OneDrive policies to control sync settings – OneDrive | Microsoft Docs
- Implement and manage Microsoft Teams AV Redirect
Microsoft Teams on Azure Virtual Desktop – Azure | Microsoft Docs
WVD Teams Optimization – TigheTec Cloud Consulting (wordpress.com)
- Implement and manage browsers and internet access for Azure Virtual Desktop sessions
Azure Virtual Desktop required URL list – Azure | Microsoft Docs
- Create and configure an application group
Manage app groups for Azure Virtual Desktop portal – Azure | Microsoft Docs
- Troubleshoot application issues related to Azure Virtual Desktop
Troubleshoot Azure Virtual Desktop Agent Issues – Azure | Microsoft Docs
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
Set up Azure Virtual Desktop disaster recovery plan – Azure | Microsoft Docs
DR Planning | Windows Virtual Desktop – #19 – YouTube
- Design a backup strategy for Azure Virtual Desktop
Quickstart – Back up a VM with the Azure portal – Azure Backup | Microsoft Docs
About Azure Site Recovery – Azure Site Recovery | Microsoft Docs
- Configure backup and restore for FSLogix user profiles, personal virtual desktop infrastructures (VDIs), and golden images
Cloud Cache for resiliency and availability – FSLogix | Microsoft Docs
Back up Azure file shares in the Azure portal – Azure Backup | Microsoft Docs
Share VM images with Shared Galleries – Azure Virtual Machines | Microsoft Docs
Automate Azure Virtual Desktop management tasks
- Configure automation for Azure Virtual Desktop
Build Virtual Desktop The Easy Way – YouTube
RDS-Templates/wvd-templates at master · Azure/RDS-Templates · GitHub
- Automate management of host pools, session hosts, and user sessions by using PowerShell and Azure command-Line Interface (CLI)
An introduction to Azure Automation | Microsoft Docs
Az.DesktopVirtualization Module | Microsoft Docs
az desktopvirtualization | Microsoft Docs
- Implement autoscaling in host pools
Scale session hosts Azure Automation – Azure | Microsoft Docs
Monitor and manage performance and health
- Monitor Azure Virtual Desktop by using Azure Monitor
Use Monitor Azure Virtual Desktop Monitor – Azure | Microsoft Docs
- Monitor Azure Virtual Desktop by using Azure Advisor
Integrate Azure Virtual Desktop with Azure Advisor – Azure | Microsoft Docs
- Customize Azure Monitor workbooks for Azure Virtual Desktop monitoring
Azure Monitor Workbooks Overview – Azure Monitor | Microsoft Docs
Azure Monitor Workbooks Overview – Azure Monitor | Microsoft Docs
- Optimize session host capacity and performance
Performance Tuning Remote Desktop Session Hosts | Microsoft Docs
- Manage active sessions and application groups
Manage app groups for Azure Virtual Desktop PowerShell – Azure | Microsoft Docs
- Monitor and optimize autoscaling result
Scale session hosts Azure Automation – Azure | Microsoft Docs
Thoughts
My general thoughts on the AZ-140 were very positive. As someone who has been working with AVD from the WVD classic deployments through to the AVD rebrand, I feel it asked the kind of questions that you should know if you want to be a considered a specialist in this technology.
For anyone thinking of taking the exam I would advise that it would help to have a good deal of hands on experience with AVD. This is not an exam for someone that has had a quick dabble or read a few documents.
It is clearly designed at the architects and technology specialists. The questions asked are quite in-depth and require a high level of knowledge of the AVD components to answer. The exam expects knowledge on designing, implement and monitor all the various components.
A good deal of experience with FSLogix Containers is a must, as a lot of questions revolved around this for the Implement an Azure Virtual Desktop Infrastructure.