Blog

What Microsoft Build 2026 Means for Azure Architects

Explore the biggest Azure announcements from Microsoft Build 2026, including Foundry IQ, HorizonDB, Web IQ, Cobalt 200, plus notable AI updates like Scout and Windows 365.

Azure Well-Architected & ResiliencyAzure Operations & Management

Using Copilot in Azure to Troubleshoot Network Issues Faster

Thomas Cowen / 8 Apr 2026 6 min read

Using Copilot in Azure to Troubleshoot Network Issues Faster

Azure networking issues are a common source of outages. Copilot in Azure helps engineers investigate connectivity problems using natural language, surfacing topology, traffic flow and misconfigurations in seconds.

Azure NetworkingAzure Operations & Management

Azure Outbound Internet Access Is Changing in 2026: A Guide for IT Teams and MSPs

Thomas Cowen / 23 Mar 2026 13 min read

Azure Outbound Internet Access Is Changing in 2026: A Guide for IT Teams and MSPs

Azure is changing how outbound internet access works, removing default outbound access for new virtual networks from March 31st 2026. This guide explains what’s changing, the impact on your deployments, and why NAT Gateway is the recommended solution.

Microsoft AzureAzure Networking

I Sat All Three Microsoft AI Beta Exams - Here's What You Should Know

Thomas Cowen / 25 Feb 2026 6 min read

I Sat All Three Microsoft AI Beta Exams - Here's What You Should Know

Microsoft’s new AI exams promise a clear skills path, but the reality may be different. This is my experience of AB-900, AB-730 and AB-731.

Microsoft 365 CopilotCopilot Studio

Optimising AVD Networking: Outbound Paths, NVAs, and Private Endpoints

Thomas Cowen / 18 Nov 2025 9 min read

Optimising AVD Networking: Outbound Paths, NVAs, and Private Endpoints

A practical look at improving AVD performance by rethinking outbound routing and profile access architecture.

Azure Virtual DesktopAzure Networking

RDP Multipath in Azure Virtual Desktop: Evolution Beyond Shortpath

Thomas Cowen / 17 Sept 2025 7 min read

RDP Multipath in Azure Virtual Desktop: Evolution Beyond Shortpath

RDP Multipath is the latest evolution in Azure Virtual Desktop networking. In this post, I explore how it works, how it compares with Shortpath, and whether the two technologies complement each other in delivering faster, more resilient connections.

Azure Virtual DesktopAzure Networking

Rethinking AVD Backups: Are You Paying to Protect Disposable VMs?

Thomas Cowen / 1 Sept 2025 6 min read

Rethinking AVD Backups: Are You Paying to Protect Disposable VMs?

Stop wasting money backing up disposable session hosts. Here's why.

Azure Virtual DesktopAzure Cost Optimisation

Why App Readiness Is Breaking AVD - And What Microsoft Won’t Tell You

Thomas Cowen / 12 Aug 2025 7 min read

Why App Readiness Is Breaking AVD - And What Microsoft Won’t Tell You

Black screens on Azure Virtual Desktop (AVD) are more common than you might think. Users get stuck, staring at nothing, blaming the platform and your support teams.

Azure Virtual Desktop

Hydra & AVD: A New Chapter Under Login VSI?

Thomas Cowen / 16 Jul 2025 8 min read

Hydra & AVD: A New Chapter Under Login VSI?

A fresh look at Hydra’s AVD management tool after its acquisition by LoginVSI - features, licensing, and where it might fit into the market.

Azure Virtual DesktopWindows 365

How to Use the Azure Pricing Calculator to Make AVD Make Sense

Thomas Cowen / 7 Jul 2025 9 min read

How to Use the Azure Pricing Calculator to Make AVD Make Sense

Still treating AVD like a line on the IT budget? It’s time to flip the script. Learn how to break down your Azure Virtual Desktop costs per user and finally make the pricing calculator work for you, not against you.

Azure Virtual DesktopAzure Cost Optimisation

Windows 10, AVD, and the 2025 Deadline: What to Expect

Thomas Cowen / 28 Jun 2025 10 min read

Windows 10, AVD, and the 2025 Deadline: What to Expect

Support for Windows 10 ends 14th October 2025. Read on, to see if your business can stay on Windows 10 for free!

Azure Virtual DesktopWindows 365

Stop Overpaying for Azure VMs: RIs vs. Savings Plans (With AVD-Specific Recommendations)

Thomas Cowen / 13 Jun 2025 12 min read

Stop Overpaying for Azure VMs: RIs vs. Savings Plans (With AVD-Specific Recommendations)

Savings Plans, Reserved Instances and Pay-as-you-Go; what to choose? Learn how to get up to a 60% discount on Azure VMs here!

Azure Virtual DesktopAzure Cost Optimisation

How Token Protection in Entra Secures BYOD for AVD and Windows 365 (or does it?)

Thomas Cowen / 3 Jun 2025 10 min read

How Token Protection in Entra Secures BYOD for AVD and Windows 365 (or does it?)

In 2024, Microsoft detected 147,000 token attacks, a 111% increase from 2023! Learn how the new Token Theft mitigation works here!

Azure Virtual DesktopWindows 365

Why Businesses Are Choosing Azure Virtual Desktop Over Citrix

Thomas Cowen / 23 May 2025 10 min read

Why Businesses Are Choosing Azure Virtual Desktop Over Citrix

Exploring the shift driven by licensing changes, cost efficiencies, and seamless Microsoft 365 integration. Find out why SMBs are choosing AVD over Citrix in the modern age of VDI.

Azure Virtual Desktop

Your AVD Deployment is Only as Good as Its Naming Convention - Here’s Why

Thomas Cowen / 6 May 2025 6 min read

Your AVD Deployment is Only as Good as Its Naming Convention - Here’s Why

Poor naming conventions can make or break environments. Learn how to align your naming with Microsoft's Cloud Adoption Framework for long-term success.

Azure Virtual Desktop

Navigating the Shift: Remote Desktop App vs. Windows App

Thomas Cowen / 21 Apr 2025 8 min read

Navigating the Shift: Remote Desktop App vs. Windows App

Understand the simplified deprecation timelines and why transitioning to the Windows App is essential today!

Azure Virtual DesktopWindows 365

Test-Drive Azure Virtual Desktop with Microsoft's New AVD Quickstart

Thomas Cowen / 1 Apr 2025 8 min read

Test-Drive Azure Virtual Desktop with Microsoft's New AVD Quickstart

Discover how Microsoft’s AVD Quickstart lets you deploy Azure Virtual Desktop in minutes, making proof-of-concept testing faster and easier.

Azure Virtual Desktop

RDP Shortpath Explained: The Key to Faster, More Reliable AVD Sessions

Thomas Cowen / 24 Mar 2025 10 min read

RDP Shortpath Explained: The Key to Faster, More Reliable AVD Sessions

RDP Shortpath chooses UDP over TCP, resulting in faster sessions and enhanced user performance.

Azure Virtual Desktop

Thomas Cowen / 18 Mar 2025 7 min read

Azure Virtual Desktop vs. Windows 365 - The Ultimate Virtual Desktop Battle

A comparison of Windows 365 and Azure Virtual Desktop to enable you to choose the best option for your org or customers.

Azure Virtual DesktopWindows 365

The AVD Directory Services Maze: Simplified & Standardised

Thomas Cowen / 7 Mar 2025 4 min read

The AVD Directory Services Maze: Simplified & Standardised

Choosing the right directory service for AVD is critical. Follow the flowchart I've provided to make sure you pick the right one, based on your needs.

Azure Virtual Desktop

Thomas Cowen / 25 Feb 2025 5 min read

Mastering Access: Navigating RBAC in Azure Virtual Desktop

Understanding how RBAC should be used when creating and managing Azure Virtual Desktop environments.

Azure Virtual Desktop

Thomas Cowen / 11 Feb 2025 7 min read

The Building Blocks of Azure Virtual Desktop: A Simple Guide to Core Features and Components!

Here is a simple guide to the core building blocks of Azure Virtual Desktop. From session hosts to workspaces, learn about it here.

Azure Virtual Desktop

From Frustration to Functionality: Optimising Conditional Access for AVD (and more!)

Thomas Cowen / 21 Jan 2025 5 min read

From Frustration to Functionality: Optimising Conditional Access for AVD (and more!)

Optimising Conditional Access for AVD is critical to user-login, performance and access. Learn how to implement it properly, here.

Azure Virtual Desktop

Seamless Upgrade: Mastering Azure Front Door Migration from Classic to Premium (Plus a Secret Rollback Plan!)

Thomas Cowen / 6 Jan 2025 7 min read

Seamless Upgrade: Mastering Azure Front Door Migration from Classic to Premium (Plus a Secret Rollback Plan!)

Zero-downtime, in-place Azure Front Door migration - made easy.

Azure Networking