By David, , updated
Webex on Azure Virtual Desktop (AVD) is optimized by running the Webex App in VDI mode on the session host and the Webex App VDI plugin on the user's Windows device, so calls are processed on the device instead of the host. Cisco supports this for Webex calling and messaging on AVD, but says it does not support full-featured meetings in the Webex App on AVD, so plan how users will join meetings before you roll it out.
The short version: install the Webex App on the image with VDI optimization enforced, install the VDI plugin on each Windows endpoint, and connect with Windows App (plugin 45.4 or later) or the directly downloaded Remote Desktop app, not the Microsoft Store version. Then check the Webex App's health check for a connected virtual channel.
How Webex VDI optimization works
Like Teams and Zoom, Webex splits the work between the virtual desktop and the user's device:
- On the session host, the Webex App runs in VDI mode. It handles the interface, messaging and presence inside the desktop.
- On the user's device, the Webex App VDI plugin handles the media. The plugin and the app talk over a virtual channel in the remote session, and when they connect, audio and video are processed locally rather than on the host.
Without the plugin, Webex still runs, but calls are processed on the session host, which on a multi-session host costs CPU for every call and is sensitive to the RDP connection.
| Webex on AVD (Cisco's VDI deployment guide) | |
|---|---|
| Host component | Webex App, installed in VDI mode |
| Device component | Webex App VDI plugin for Windows (64-bit Windows 10 or 11) |
| Clients | Windows App (from Webex App and plugin 45.4), or the Remote Desktop app from Microsoft's direct download page |
| Not supported | The Remote Desktop app from the Microsoft Store |
| Calling and messaging | Optimized |
| Full-featured meetings | Not supported on AVD |
| Check it's working | The Webex App health check shows the virtual channel as connected |
Setup checklist
On the image
- Install the Webex App for all users with VDI enabled. Cisco's installer takes an
ENABLEVDIproperty:2auto-detects a virtual desktop, and1forces VDI optimization. Cisco recommendsENABLEVDI=1for virtual GPU environments, and installing withALLUSERS=1puts it per machine, which is what a pooled host needs. - Keep it on the image. Update the Webex App by updating the image, so you control which app and plugin versions run together.
On each user's device
- Install the Webex App VDI plugin for Windows. Cisco lists it for 64-bit Windows 10 and Windows 11 (Windows 11 needs plugin 41.12 or later). Cisco's guide lists AVD support only for Windows devices; its macOS and Linux plugins cover other VDI platforms.
- Use a supported client. Windows App is supported from Webex App and VDI plugin version 45.4. If you still use the Remote Desktop app, install it from Microsoft's direct download page: Cisco doesn't support the Microsoft Store version.
- Keep app and plugin in step. Check Cisco's release notes for the supported combinations whenever you update either side.
Meetings and calling
- Decide how users join meetings. Because Cisco doesn't support full-featured meetings in the Webex App on AVD, many organizations have users join Webex meetings from their local device while keeping calling and messaging in the virtual desktop.
- If you use on-premises Unified CM calling, Cisco supports only thin clients working under Mobile and Remote Access (MRA) on AVD, and MRA through Expressway-E needs UDP 16384 to 32767 open between the internal network and Expressway-E. Webex Calling isn't affected by this restriction.
Troubleshooting Webex on AVD
| Symptom | Likely cause | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| Calls aren't optimized | Plugin missing on the device, or the virtual channel didn't connect | Install the plugin, then check the Webex App health check for the virtual channel |
| Works in the Remote Desktop app at one site, not another | One site uses the Microsoft Store version | Replace it with the directly downloaded app, or move users to Windows App |
| Windows App users aren't optimized | Webex App or plugin older than 45.4 | Update both to a version that supports Windows App |
| Meeting features missing | Full-featured meetings aren't supported on AVD | Join meetings from the local device |
| Unified CM calls fail off-network | Not connecting through MRA, or Expressway-E ports blocked | Use MRA and open the media port range |
Webex optimization on AVD covers calling and messaging. Full-featured meetings in the Webex App aren't supported there, so decide where users join meetings before rollout.
Where Atlas AVD helps
Atlas AVD doesn't install or configure Webex. It helps you get one consistent version onto every host and separate Webex problems from host and network problems.
- One image, every host. Install the Webex App on your golden image, capture it in Imaging, and Atlas builds every host in the pool from that version. Rolling Replace moves the pool onto a new image in batches when you update Webex.
- Per-pool installs. The Application Catalog installs WinGet packages on every new host in a pool and Install Apps pushes them to running hosts. Check that the package you choose installs Webex the way Cisco's VDI guide describes before you rely on it.
- Host load and network data. Atlas shows each host's CPU and sessions, and with AVD Insights connected, the Network Transport card on the Analytics Experience tab shows which sessions fell back to TCP. That's how you tell an unoptimized call loading the host from a network problem on the user's side.
The VDI plugin on users' devices stays with your endpoint management.
FAQ
Does Webex work on Azure Virtual Desktop?
Yes. Cisco supports the Webex App on AVD with VDI optimization for calling and messaging when the user's Windows device has the Webex App VDI plugin. Cisco doesn't support full-featured meetings in the Webex App on AVD.
Which client should users connect with for Webex?
Windows App, with Webex App and VDI plugin 45.4 or later, or the Remote Desktop app downloaded directly from Microsoft. Cisco doesn't support the Microsoft Store version of the Remote Desktop app.
Do Mac or Linux devices get Webex optimization on AVD?
Cisco's deployment guide lists AVD support only for the Windows VDI plugin. Its macOS and Linux plugins are for other VDI platforms.
How do I know Webex is optimized?
Cisco's guide says the Webex App's health check shows a connected status for the virtual channel when optimization is working.
What's the difference between Webex, Zoom and Teams optimization on AVD?
Each vendor ships its own host app and device plugin. See Zoom on AVD and Teams on AVD. For browser-based calling apps, Microsoft's multimedia redirection does a similar job.
Last updated 9 November 2026. Webex details are drawn from Cisco's Deployment guide for Webex App for Virtual Desktop Infrastructure (VDI) as of November 2026. Cisco updates supported versions with each release, so check the guide and its release notes before you upgrade.