What is Windows VDI? A Guide for ISVs in 2025

Virtual Desktop Infrastructure (VDI) has become a common way to give users secure, remote access to a Windows desktop environment from anywhere. But for Independent Software Vendors (ISVs), deploying a full virtual desktop for every user isn’t always necessary—and in many cases, it’s far more than what’s needed.

In this post, we’ll explain what Windows VDI is, who it’s designed for, and why ISVs delivering a single application often benefit from alternatives that are simpler, faster, and more cost-effective.

What Is Windows VDI?

Windows VDI (Virtual Desktop Infrastructure) refers to a setup where full Windows desktop environments are hosted in a centralized data center or the cloud and delivered remotely to end users. These desktops run on virtual machines, and users access them through remote desktop protocols, often using platforms like Citrix, Microsoft Azure Virtual Desktop, or Amazon WorkSpaces.

VDI solutions typically include:

• Centralized infrastructure (VMs, storage, networking)
  
  
• User profiles and desktop sessions
  
  
• Access via clients or browsers
  
  
• Microsoft licensing (RDS, CALs, OS)

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When Does Windows VDI Make Sense?

VDI is typically used in enterprise environments with:

• Large internal teams that need standardized desktops
  
  
• Strong compliance or security requirements
  
  
• Complex IT environments that require centralized control
  
  
• Legacy desktop apps that aren’t web-ready
  
  
• Frequent onboarding of contractors or remote workers
  
  

For these use cases, VDI ensures consistency, access control, and easier system maintenance.

Why VDI Can Be Overkill for ISVs

If you’re an ISV delivering a single application—not a full desktop environment—then VDI often introduces more problems than it solves. Common drawbacks include:

• Infrastructure complexity: Hosting full desktops requires managing virtual machines, user profiles, and networking layers
  
  
• Higher costs: VDI often involves licensing for Windows Server, RDS, and additional software components
  
  
• Slower deployment: Provisioning desktops takes time, especially across large user bases
  
  
• Unnecessary UI: Users don’t need a desktop—they just want the app
  
  

In short, VDI delivers too much for ISVs focused on app-first delivery, and not enough flexibility to justify the overhead.

A Smarter Alternative for ISVs: GO-Global

Instead of delivering a full desktop, GO-Global allows ISVs to publish just the application—directly to the end user’s browser, with no need for virtual desktops or RDS infrastructure.

GO-Global is built specifically for software vendors who want to modernize delivery without rewriting their application or managing complex environments.

Key benefits include:

• No full desktops required
  
  
• Cross-platform browser access
  
  
• Secure sessions with no exposed RDP ports
  
  
• Fast deployment and low maintenance
  
  

It’s a clean, cost-effective way to offer remote access to legacy Windows software—perfect for ISVs transitioning to the cloud in 2025.

Final Thoughts

While Windows VDI is a powerful tool for enterprise IT teams, it often brings more infrastructure and licensing baggage than Independent Software Vendors need. If your business revolves around delivering a single application—not a full desktop—then it’s time to look at alternatives.

GO-Global offers a streamlined path forward. It removes the complexity of desktop delivery and focuses on what matters most: getting your application into the hands of users, securely and efficiently.

For ISVs ready to simplify and scale their delivery model, it’s a smarter choice than traditional Windows VDI.

Are you an ISV exploring cloud-based application delivery? Contact us to learn how GO-Global can help you streamline software access for your end users. Or download a free trial to test it yourself.