Microsoft announced the general availability of Entra-Only identities for Azure Files SMB, enabling organizations to grant secure, identity-based access to file shares using cloud-native identities. This feature eliminates the need for Active Directory, hybrid sync, or managed domain controllers, significantly simplifying architecture and reducing ongoing management and maintenance costs. With native Microsoft Entra ID authentication, users can access files from anywhere without domain setup, VPNs, or complex networking requirements. Entra-Only identities also support seamless virtual desktop infrastructure (VDI) profile management on Azure Files while meeting modern security standards. In Azure Virtual Desktop (AVD), built-in B2B support extends this further, allowing external partners to use their existing identities with FSLogix profiles, without creating duplicate accounts. This capability helps organizations modernize storage, compute, and identity while aligning with Zero-Trust principles. *Source: [azureai](https://azure.microsoft.com/en-us/blog/azure-files-entra-only-identities-advancing-cloud-native-identity-and-security/)*