Question 1

What is the Settings Matrix?

Accepted Answer

The Settings Matrix is the page in Atlas AVD where every setting Atlas manages lives. Each setting is one row, with its value at the Global, Tenant and Host Pool level side by side and an Effective column showing the value Atlas actually applies and the level it came from. It is the one place to change a setting and the one place to find out why a setting is what it is. In the app it sits under Settings → Configuration Matrix.

Question 2

How does inheritance work?

Accepted Answer

A value flows down from Global to Tenant to Host Pool, and the most specific level that holds a value wins. Global is the baseline for the whole deployment. A tenant inherits it unless it holds a value of its own, and a host pool inherits from its tenant unless it holds its own. When nothing is set anywhere, the built-in application default applies.

Question 3

Which settings are in the matrix?

Accepted Answer

Atlas's own operating policy, grouped into categories you can filter on: compute and VM lifecycle, autoscale, provisioning and VM extensions, security and compliance, software distribution and browser policy, FSLogix, imaging, notifications, cost controls, feature modules and more. The Group Policy categories cover the ADMX policies and Windows security settings Atlas applies to session hosts, and they inherit Global → Tenant → Host Pool exactly like the rest of the table.

Question 4

Can I see where host pools disagree?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Choose All host pools in the Host Pool column and each row shows whether the tenant's pools agree (Same across N pools) or differ (Mixed, N of M pools override), with a per-pool breakdown. The Mixed tab narrows the table to just the rows where pools disagree, and Apply to host pools sets a value on the pools you pick, or resets them to inherit, in one confirmed action.

Question 5

How do I find out why a setting has the value it has?

Accepted Answer

Click the effective value. A panel opens that lists every level in the chain, from the built-in default through Global and Tenant to the selected host pool, says what each one holds, and marks the level that applies. The Settings History button in the page header then shows who changed it and when.

Question 6

Who can change Global settings?

Accepted Answer

Only a platform administrator can edit the Global column, because it is shared by every tenant. Administrators who manage a tenant set values at its Tenant and Host Pool levels. Every change is written to Settings History with who made it and the old and new value.

Question 7

Are passwords and keys shown in the matrix?

Accepted Answer

No. Secrets such as SMTP passwords and AI provider keys never appear in the matrix, readable or writable, and an export never contains them. Where a credential can be set per level, the matrix shows only whether one is configured.

Question 8

Which plans include the Settings Matrix?

Accepted Answer

Every plan, including the free Community plan. A row for a feature your plan or add-ons do not include still shows its values, with a note saying why it cannot be changed, so you see the whole picture even where you cannot act on all of it.

Settings Matrix: Every Setting, Every Level