What is the primary difference between a personal and pooled host pool in Azure Virtual Desktop?

The primary difference between a personal and a pooled host pool in Azure Virtual Desktop lies in how resources are allocated to users. In pooled host pools, virtual machines (VMs) are shared among multiple users. This means that several users can connect to the same VM at different times, allowing for efficient use of resources, especially in scenarios where users may not need access to a VM all the time.

On the other hand, personal host pools are designed to assign dedicated VMs to individual users. Each user has their own VM that stays with them across sessions, ensuring a consistent and personalized experience. This setup is particularly beneficial for users who have specific applications, configurations, or data that they need to access regularly.

The concept of resource sharing in pooled host pools helps organizations optimize costs and simplify management when users have less predictable or varying workloads. Personal host pools, while potentially more costly and complex, provide flexibility and security for users who require a more stable environment tailored to their individual needs. Thus, the distinction is clearly drawn between resource allocation strategies in these two types of host pools.