Microsoft Certified: Azure Virtual Desktop Specialty (AZ-140) Practice Exam

Administrators can effectively update applications in Azure Virtual Desktop by updating the golden image and redeploying the session hosts.

In Azure Virtual Desktop, the golden image serves as a master template that contains the operating system, settings, and applications that each session host is based on. When applications need to be updated, the optimal approach is to modify this golden image to include the latest application versions. This ensures that all new session hosts derived from the updated golden image will automatically have the necessary updates installed, providing a consistent and streamlined experience for users.

After updating the golden image, the next step is to redeploy the session hosts. This might involve creating new session hosts from the updated image or applying the updates to existing ones, allowing users to access the latest applications without delay. This method is efficient and minimizes the potential for discrepancies between different session hosts, ensuring that all users have access to the same applications with the most current features and security patches.

Updating the applications manually on each session host could be prone to human error and inconsistencies, while creating new user profiles or pausing applications would not effectively address the core need of updating applications system-wide. Hence, updating the golden image and redeploying the session hosts is the most effective and systematic way to keep