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Azure Virtual Desktop - Auto scaling Feature - Exclusion tags

Nazeer, Shalomon 125 Reputation points
2025-11-21T04:34:29.64+00:00

This is the first time we are enabling autoscaling on a host pool to test the autoscaling feature in Azure Virtual Desktop. We have created a schedule targeting Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday, and the details are provided below.

We have one use case: there is a patching schedule for a list of machines, split across the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th weekends. These machines need to be in a powered ON state during the patching activity.

Our question is: if we set an exclusion tag using PowerShell or AZ CLI on a machine that is currently in a deallocated state (because of autoscale schedule), will the VM automatically start once the exclusion tag is applied? Or do we need to manually power on the VM even after setting the exclusion tag?

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Azure Virtual Desktop
Azure Virtual Desktop
A Microsoft desktop and app virtualization service that runs on Azure. Previously known as Windows Virtual Desktop.
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  1. Ankit Yadav 6,760 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator
    2025-11-21T05:36:18.2633333+00:00

    Hello @Nazeer, Shalomon ,
    Exclusion tags are used to tell the autoscale to ignore specific VMs during scaling operations.

    When you apply an exclusion tag to a VM, autoscale stops managing that VM (it won’t deallocate or start it in future cycles).

    However, applying the tag does NOT automatically start a VM that is currently deallocated.

    • Autoscale does not proactively power on VMs when you add the tag.
    • The tag only affects future scaling decisions

    As per your description, this is what you can do: If the VM is already deallocated, you must manually start it after applying the exclusion tag. Once powered on, autoscale will leave it running because the tag excludes it from further scaling actions.

    Let me know if it helped to clarify your query!!

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