Deploy Azure Virtual Desktop Agents for Remote Help using Intune

Key Takeaways

  • Deploy AVD Agent components using Intune – Package and deploy both the Azure Virtual Desktop Agent and AVD Agent Bootloader to Windows devices.
  • Enable Remote Help Unattended Support – These components are a key prerequisite for Remote Help on Windows: Unattended Support with Remote Sign-In.
  • Simplify deployment with Intune LOB apps – Deploy the required MSI packages using the Line-of-Business (LOB) app method and target the same device groups configured for unattended support.
  • No ongoing maintenance required – The AVD Agent and Bootloader automatically update, reducing the need for manual application maintenance.

In this article, I’ll demonstrate how to deploy the Azure Virtual Desktop Agents to Windows devices using Microsoft Intune. These agent components serve as a prerequisite for enabling Remote Help Unattended Support with Remote Sign-In, allowing IT administrators to establish remote support sessions on managed devices without requiring user interaction. The article covers the MSI-based deployment using Intune Line-of-Business (LOB) apps, assignment to targeted device groups, and considerations for maintaining the agent components through their built-in automatic update mechanism.

Table of Content

Download the Azure Virtual Desktop Agents for Windows

As per microsoft documentation, we need to download the Azure Virtual Desktop Agent and Azure Virtual Desktop Agent Bootloader software from the link provided below.

Deploy Azure Virtual Desktop Agents for Remote Help using Intune. Fig. 1
Deploy Azure Virtual Desktop Agents for Remote Help using Intune. Fig. 1

Create Windows Line of Business Apps in Intune

To create Azure Virtual Desktop Agent applications for Windows, sign in to the Microsoft Intune Admin Center using your administrator credentials.

  • Navigate to Apps  > PlatformsWindows
  • Click + Create
Deploy Azure Virtual Desktop Agents for Remote Help using Intune. Fig. 2
Deploy Azure Virtual Desktop Agents for Remote Help using Intune. Fig. 2

After clicking + Create, a new window will appear prompting you to select the app type. Choose Line-of-business app from the available options.

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Deploy Azure Virtual Desktop Agents for Remote Help using Intune. Fig. 3
Deploy Azure Virtual Desktop Agents for Remote Help using Intune. Fig. 3

On the App Information page, select the application package file. Click Select app package file, browse to the downloaded MSI file, and choose Microsoft.RDInfra.RDAgent.Installer-x64-1.0.15294.200.msi. Once the package is selected, the application details will be populated automatically. Review the information and click OK to continue.

  • Name: Remote Desktop Services Infrastructure Agent
  • Platform: Windows
  • Size: 26.87 MiB
  • MAM Enabled: No
  • Execution Context: Per-Machine
Deploy Azure Virtual Desktop Agents for Remote Help using Intune. Fig. 4
Deploy Azure Virtual Desktop Agents for Remote Help using Intune. Fig. 4

On the App Information page, select the application package file. Click Select app package file, browse to the downloaded MSI file, and choose Microsoft.RDInfra.RDAgentBootLoader.Installer-x64-1.0.11388.1600.msi. Once the package is selected, the application details will be populated automatically. Review the information and click OK to continue.

  • Name: Remote Desktop Agent Boot Loader
  • Platform: Windows
  • Size: 17.13 MiB
  • MAM Enabled: No
  • Execution Context: Per-Machine
Deploy Azure Virtual Desktop Agents for Remote Help using Intune. Fig. 5
Deploy Azure Virtual Desktop Agents for Remote Help using Intune. Fig. 5

The Remote Desktop Services Infrastructure Agent has now been added as a Windows MSI Line-of-business app. Most required application details populate automatically from the MSI package. Under App Information, specify the Publisher as Microsoft Corporation and select Computer Management as the Category. The remaining fields are optional and can be configured as needed. Once completed, click Next.

Deploy Azure Virtual Desktop Agents for Remote Help using Intune. Fig. 6
Deploy Azure Virtual Desktop Agents for Remote Help using Intune. Fig. 6

The Remote Desktop Agent Boot Loader has now been added as a Windows MSI Line-of-business app. Most required application details populate automatically from the MSI package. Under App Information, specify the Publisher as Microsoft Corporation and select Computer Management as the Category. The remaining fields are optional and can be configured as needed. Once completed, click Next.

Deploy Azure Virtual Desktop Agents for Remote Help using Intune. Fig. 7
Deploy Azure Virtual Desktop Agents for Remote Help using Intune. Fig. 7

Assign the Line-of-Business (LOB) applications to the Devices – Remote Help Test group. Under the Assignments section, select Required, click Add group, and choose the target device group. Next, edit the Install context setting and configure it as Device Context. Once the assignment is complete, click Next to proceed.

Deploy Azure Virtual Desktop Agents for Remote Help using Intune. Fig. 8
Deploy Azure Virtual Desktop Agents for Remote Help using Intune. Fig. 8

On the Review + create page, carefully review all the settings you’ve defined for the Remote Desktop Services Infrastructure Agent application deployment. Select Create to implement the changes once you’ve confirmed everything is correct.

Deploy Azure Virtual Desktop Agents for Remote Help using Intune. Fig. 9
Deploy Azure Virtual Desktop Agents for Remote Help using Intune. Fig. 9

On the Review + create page, carefully review all the settings you’ve defined for the Remote Desktop Agent Boot Loader application deployment. Select Create to implement the changes once you’ve confirmed everything is correct.

Deploy Azure Virtual Desktop Agents for Remote Help using Intune. Fig. 10
Deploy Azure Virtual Desktop Agents for Remote Help using Intune. Fig. 10

Monitor the Deployment of Remote Desktop Services Infrastructure Agent

This app has been deployed to the Microsoft Entra ID device group. The policy will take effect as soon as the device syncs. To monitor the deployment status from the Intune Portal, follow the steps below.

  • Navigate to Apps > Platforms > Windows > Windows apps > Search for the “Remote Desktop Services Infrastructure Agent” LOB App.
  • Under the Overview status, you can see the deployment status for both Device & User.
Deploy Azure Virtual Desktop Agents for Remote Help using Intune. Fig. 11
Deploy Azure Virtual Desktop Agents for Remote Help using Intune. Fig. 11

Monitor the Deployment of Remote Desktop Agent Boot Loader

This app has been deployed to the Microsoft Entra ID device group. The policy will take effect as soon as possible once the device is synced. To monitor the deployment status from the Intune Portal, follow the steps below.

  • Navigate to Apps > Platforms > Windows > Windows apps > Search for the “Remote Desktop Agent Boot Loader” LOB App.
  • Under the Overview status, you can see the deployment status for both Device & User.
Deploy Azure Virtual Desktop Agents for Remote Help using Intune. Fig. 12
Deploy Azure Virtual Desktop Agents for Remote Help using Intune. Fig. 12

End-User Experience

Verify that the Remote Desktop Services Infrastructure Agent and Remote Desktop Agent Boot Loader applications have been installed successfully. Sign in to one of the targeted devices, open Control Panel, and navigate to Programs > Programs and Features. In the list of installed applications, confirm that both applications are present, indicating a successful installation.

Deploy Azure Virtual Desktop Agents for Remote Help using Intune. Fig. 13
Deploy Azure Virtual Desktop Agents for Remote Help using Intune. Fig. 13

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Author

Vaishnav K has 13 years of experience in SCCM, Intune, Modern Device Management, and Automation Solutions. He writes and shares knowledge about Microsoft Intune, Windows 365, Azure, Entra, PowerShell Scripting, and Automation. Check out his profile on LinkedIn.

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