If you’ve ever wanted a quicker way to connect to Azure Virtual Desktop, direct launch URI is the solution. The Windows App is a great tool for accessing AVD and Windows 365 resources, but by default, users land on the connections page before reaching their desktop or app. That extra step can slow things down, especially in environments where efficiency matters.

Direct URI lets you skip the connections page entirely and launch straight into a remote desktop or application. This approach uses the MS-AVD URI schema to pass parameters like resource ID and username directly to the Windows App client. It’s a simple yet effective way to streamline remote access and improve the user experience.

Why Use Direct URI?

Direct URI works with the Windows App for Windows, version 2.0.804.0 or newer. It allows IT admins and cloud professionals to create shortcuts or automate access for users. For other platforms, the web client supports similar functionality through Direct Launch URLs. This flexibility means you can tailor the experience to your environment and user needs.

Options for Launching Direct URI

In the video, several methods were shown to launch the Windows App using Direct URI. Each option offers different levels of automation and user interaction:

Direct Launch with Static Parameters

This is the simplest approach. You build a URI with the resource ID and username embedded, then call the Windows App executable. It’s fast and works well for single-user scenarios or dedicated devices.

Prompt for Username

If you need a reusable script for multiple users, prompting for the username at runtime is a practical solution. This avoids hardcoding credentials and makes the script flexible for different environments.

Auto-Populate Logged-In User

For a seamless experience, you can automatically detect the logged-in user’s UPN and feed it into the URI. This is ideal for shortcuts or scripts that run at login, reducing friction for end users.

Batch File with Command Prompt Input

Not every environment allows PowerShell. A batch file can prompt for the username and launch the Windows App with the Direct URI. This is simple and widely compatible.

Batch File with Graphical Input

For users who prefer a graphical prompt, you can pair a batch file with a small script to display an input box for the username. This makes the process more user-friendly while keeping the underlying logic simple.

A link to the example code can be found below.

Finding Resource IDs

To build a Direct URI, you need the Object ID of the published resource. The video showed how to retrieve these IDs for both desktops and remote apps using Azure tools. Once you have the resource ID, you can construct the URI and choose the launch method that fits your scenario.

Best Practices

• Always include the username in UPN format. If it’s missing, the Windows App will not prompt for it and the launch will fail.
• Decide whether multiple monitors should be enabled and set the parameter accordingly.
• Confirm that you’re using the correct Windows App version to avoid compatibility issues.
• For environments with single sign-on, automatic UPN detection provides the smoothest experience.

Wrap-Up

Direct URI gives you a fast path to the right Azure Virtual Desktop resource. Whether you choose PowerShell with prompts, automatic UPN detection, or a lightweight batch approach, you can deliver a smoother experience that removes extra clicks and gets people working sooner. Try these options in a test environment, validate your resource IDs, and then roll out the launchers to your users.

Ready to see these steps in action? Watch the full tutorial video and start using Direct URI today.

Links:

Zero to Hero with Azure Virtual Desktop
https://www.udemy.com/course/zero-to-hero-with-windows-virtual-desktop/?referralCode=B2FE49E6FCEE7A7EA8D4

A Beginner’s Guide to the AZ-900
https://www.udemy.com/course/beginners-guide-az-900/?referralCode=C74C266B74E837F86969

Hybrid Identity with Windows AD and Azure AD
https://www.udemy.com/course/hybrid-identity-and-azure-active-directory/?referralCode=7F62C4C6FD05C73ACCC3

Windows 365 Enterprise and Intune Management
https://www.udemy.com/course/windows-365-enterprise-and-intune-management/?referralCode=4A1ED105341D0AA20D2E

Uniform Resource Identifier schemes with the Remote Desktop client for Azure Virtual Desktop
https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/virtual-desktop/uri-scheme?WT.mc_id=AZ-MVP-5004159

Example code:
https://github.com/tsrob50/CiraltosTools/tree/main