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To configure Microsoft Defender Antivirus for session hosts in an Azure Virtual Desktop environment, you can follow the steps outlined below. This guide will help you ensure the security of your session hosts and protect against malware threats.

1. Provision session hosts

Before configuring Microsoft Defender Antivirus, you need to provision your session hosts in Azure Virtual Desktop. Ensure that your session hosts are up and running properly.

2. Connect to session hosts

Connect to your session hosts using Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP) or any other preferred method.

3. Validate Microsoft Defender Antivirus installation

Check if Microsoft Defender Antivirus is already installed on your session hosts. Open the Start menu and search for “Windows Security.” If the Windows Security app is displayed, it means Microsoft Defender Antivirus is installed. Move on to the next step if it is not installed.

4. Install Microsoft Defender Antivirus

If Microsoft Defender Antivirus is not installed, install it using the following steps:

  1. Open a web browser and navigate to the Microsoft Defender Antivirus webpage.
  2. Download the Microsoft Defender Antivirus installer package for server operating systems.
  3. Run the installer package and follow the on-screen instructions to complete the installation.

5. Configure Microsoft Defender Antivirus exclusions

Configure exclusions to prevent Microsoft Defender Antivirus from scanning certain files, folders, or processes. This is important to avoid performance issues and conflicts with critical components of your session hosts. To configure exclusions, follow these steps:

  1. Open Windows Security on the session host.
  2. Go to Virus & threat protection settings.
  3. Under Exclusions, click on “Add or remove exclusions.”
  4. Add exclusions for files, folders, file types, processes, or file extensions that you want Microsoft Defender Antivirus to ignore. You can add exclusions individually or in bulk using the “Add an exclusion” option.

6. Enable and configure real-time protection

Real-time protection continuously monitors your session hosts for malware threats. To enable and configure real-time protection, follow these steps:

  1. Open Windows Security on the session host.
  2. Go to Virus & threat protection settings.
  3. Under Real-time protection, toggle the switch to turn it on.
  4. Configure any additional settings such as cloud-delivered protection, automatic sample submission, or tamper protection based on your organization’s requirements.

7. Schedule periodic scans

Periodic scans help ensure comprehensive malware detection and removal. To set up scheduled scans, follow these steps:

  1. Open Windows Security on the session host.
  2. Go to Virus & threat protection settings.
  3. Under Quick scan or Full scan, click on “Manage settings.”
  4. Configure the scan type (quick or full), time, and frequency of scans.

8. Monitor and respond to threats

Regularly monitor the Microsoft Defender Security Center or your preferred centralized security management console for any detected threats or alerts. Respond to any identified threats according to your organization’s incident response procedures.

Following these steps will help you configure Microsoft Defender Antivirus for session hosts in your Azure Virtual Desktop environment. This ensures that your session hosts are protected against malware threats, offering a secure and reliable virtual desktop experience for your users.

Answer the Questions in Comment Section

Which of the following methods can be used to configure Microsoft Defender Antivirus for session hosts in Azure Virtual Desktop?

  • a) Using Azure Policies
  • b) Using Group Policy Objects (GPOs)
  • c) Using PowerShell scripting
  • d) All of the above

Correct answer: d) All of the above

True or False: Microsoft Defender Antivirus is built into the Azure Virtual Desktop service and does not require any additional configuration.

Correct answer: False

Which of the following settings can be configured using Microsoft Defender Antivirus?

  • a) Real-time protection
  • b) Cloud-delivered protection
  • c) Ransomware protection
  • d) All of the above

Correct answer: d) All of the above

When configuring Microsoft Defender Antivirus using Group Policy Objects (GPOs), which administrative template should be used?

  • a) Windows Defender Security Center
  • b) Windows Defender Antivirus
  • c) Windows Defender Firewall
  • d) Windows Defender Exploit Guard

Correct answer: b) Windows Defender Antivirus

True or False: Microsoft Defender Antivirus can be configured to automatically quarantine or delete identified threats.

Correct answer: True

Which of the following actions can be performed when a threat is detected by Microsoft Defender Antivirus?

  • a) Prompt the user for action
  • b) Automatically quarantine the threat
  • c) Automatically delete the threat
  • d) All of the above

Correct answer: d) All of the above

True or False: Microsoft Defender Antivirus can be configured to scan removable drives connected to session hosts in Azure Virtual Desktop.

Correct answer: True

Which of the following scan types are supported by Microsoft Defender Antivirus for session hosts in Azure Virtual Desktop?

  • a) Quick scan
  • b) Full scan
  • c) Custom scan
  • d) All of the above

Correct answer: d) All of the above

True or False: Microsoft Defender Antivirus in Azure Virtual Desktop can be integrated with Azure Defender for advanced threat protection.

Correct answer: True

What is the recommended approach to configure Microsoft Defender Antivirus for session hosts in Azure Virtual Desktop at scale?

  • a) Use Azure Security Center
  • b) Use Azure Policy
  • c) Use Microsoft Endpoint Manager
  • d) Use PowerShell Desired State Configuration (DSC)

Correct answer: c) Use Microsoft Endpoint Manager

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Cildo Rodrigues
8 months ago

Can anyone explain the best practices for configuring Microsoft Defender Antivirus on session hosts?

Nooa Sakala
1 year ago

Does Defender Antivirus significantly impact session host performance?

Aleksej Malešević
1 year ago

What’s the recommended approach for handling exclusions in Microsoft Defender?

پرنیا موسوی
8 months ago

How do we deploy Defender policies to multiple session hosts in a deployment?

Yagnesh Dawangave
1 year ago

Thanks for the informative blog post!

Marilou Bergeron
5 months ago

Is it necessary to use third-party antivirus solutions alongside Microsoft Defender?

Federico Salgado
1 year ago

Can we use PowerShell to manage Defender settings on session hosts?

Lily Ruiz
1 year ago

Appreciate the detailed insights provided here!

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