Introduction
Many organizations today use Windows 365 Cloud PC accessed via the Windows App, which acts as a remote desktop client. The Windows App redirects local hardware resources, such as camera, microphone, and audio devices to the Cloud PC, allowing users to work as if they are on a physical machine.
However, a common issue reported by end users is that Zoom background blur and virtual background options are missing when Zoom is used inside the Cloud PC.
Despite trying multiple fixes, the issue often remains unresolved.
This blog explains why the problem occurs, what was tried, and the exact deployment method that finally worked.
Understanding the Problem
When accessing a Cloud PC via the Windows App:
- The local device hardware (camera, mic, speakers) is redirected
- Zoom runs inside the Cloud PC
- Video processing depends on VDI redirection, not standard desktop behavior
In this setup, Zoom background blur is not just a Zoom setting—it depends on:
- Proper Zoom VDI architecture
- Correct placement of VDI Workspace app and VDI Plugin
- Version compatibility between components
In our case:
- Zoom worked
- Camera worked
- Audio worked
❌ Background Blur option was missing completely
What Didn’t Work
We tried multiple common troubleshooting steps, including:
- Reinstalling Zoom
- Enabling hardware acceleration in Zoom
- Updating Windows App
- Verifying camera redirection
- Matching Zoom versions exactly between Cloud PC and local machine
Despite all this, background blur was still unavailable.
Correct Zoom Deployment Model for Cloud PC
The key issue turned out to be how Zoom VDI components were deployed.
✅ Correct Architecture (This Is Important)
1️⃣ Cloud PC (NOT Local Machine)
Install:
- Zoom VDI Workspace Application
This version of Zoom is optimized for virtual environments and expects media processing to be redirected.
2️⃣ Local Machine (Endpoint Device)
Install:
- Zoom VDI Plugin
This plugin:
- Uses local hardware (camera, mic, GPU)
- Redirects media processing to the endpoint
- Enables features like background blur
❗ VDI Plugin should NEVER be installed on the Cloud PC
Version Strategy That Actually Works
A very important lesson learned during this troubleshooting:
❌ Using the Latest Version Everywhere Is Risky
In our case:
- Latest Zoom VDI Workspace installed on Cloud PC
- Latest Zoom VDI Plugin installed on local machine
- Versions matched exactly
👉 Blur option still did NOT appear
✅ What Finally Fixed the Issue
- Removed the Zoom VDI Plugin from the local machine
- Installed one version lower than the latest available VDI Plugin
- The plugin later auto-updated within the same version series
- Zoom restarted inside the Cloud PC
- 🎉 Background Blur option appeared and worked
⚠️ Even though the version numbers were not exactly the same:
- They were from the same major release series
- Compatibility was restored
- Media redirection worked correctly
Best Practice Recommendation
✔ Always deploy:
- Zoom VDI Workspace App → Cloud PC
- Zoom VDI Plugin → Local machine only
✔ Avoid deploying the latest release immediately
- Use one version behind production
- Latest releases may contain unresolved bugs
✔ Allow Zoom auto-update within the same version family
Official Microsoft Guidance
Microsoft officially documents Zoom support for Windows 365 Cloud PC here:
👉 https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-365/enterprise/zoom-support
Download Links (Official Zoom)
To download Zoom VDI components:
- Zoom VDI Workspace App & VDI Plugin
👉 https://support.zoom.com/hc/en/article?id=zm_kb&sysparm_article=KB0066017
Conclusion
If Zoom background blur is missing in a Cloud PC session:
- It is not a Zoom UI bug
- It is not an Intune policy issue
- It is almost always a VDI deployment or version compatibility issue
By deploying Zoom using the correct VDI architecture and avoiding the latest version on day one, the issue can be resolved cleanly and reliably.
!!! THANKS FOR READING !!!
Regards,
HARISH KUMAR
Knowledge is not a finite resource to hoard; it’s a boundless treasure that grows when shared