This article describes how to specifymandatory artifacts in Azure DevTest Labs to install on every lab virtual machine (VM). Artifacts are tools and applications that you can add to your VMs. Mandatory artifacts can include any software that every VM in your lab must have. By defining mandatory artifacts, you can ensure all your lab VMs are installed with standardized, up-to-date artifacts. Lab users don't have to spend time and effort to add needed artifacts individually.

Explore mandatory artifacts

Mandatory artifacts can't have any configurable parameters. This restriction makes it easier for lab users to create VMs. Mandatory artifacts always install first on a VM before any extra or custom artifacts selected by the user.

You can create a custom image from a VM that has mandatory artifacts applied to it. When you create new VMs from the custom image, the new VMs also have the mandatory artifacts. DevTest Labs always installs the most recent versions of the mandatory artifacts on a VM, even when the base is an "older" custom image.

When you create a VM, you can't rearrange, change, or delete the mandatory artifacts. However, you can add extra artifacts or define custom artifacts. For more information, seeAdd artifacts to DevTest Labs VMs.

Define mandatory artifacts

You can select mandatory artifacts for Windows and Linux lab machines separately by following these steps:

1. In theAzure portal, go to your DevTest Labs lab resource where you want to define the mandatory artifacts.

2. On your labOverview page, expand theSettings section in the left menu, and selectConfiguration and policies.

3. On theConfiguration and policies screen, expand theExternal resources section in the left menu, and selectMandatory artifacts.

4. Select the VM configuration:

   • Windows: Select theWindows tab, and then selectEdit Windows artifacts.
   • Linux: Select theLinux tab, and then selectEdit Linux artifacts.

   

5. On theMandatory artifacts page, select the arrow next to each artifact you want to add to the VM.

6. On eachAdd artifact pane, selectOK. The artifact appears underSelected artifacts, and the number of configured artifacts updates to show the current list:

   

7. SelectSave.

Change installation order

After you add mandatory artifacts, DevTest Labs updates theMandatory artifacts lists for your lab in the Azure portal. From these lists, you can access the artifacts to change the installation order. When you create a new VM, DevTest Labs installs thetop artifact in the list first and thebottom artifact last.

To change the order of installation for the mandatory artifacts:

1. On theExternal resources >Mandatory artifacts screen for your lab, select theWindows orLinux tab.

2. SelectEdit Windows artifacts orEdit Linux artifacts to open theMandatory artifacts page.

3. In theSelected artifacts list, selectMore options (...) for the artifact that you want to change.

4. On the artifact menu, selectMove up,Move down,Move to top, orMove to bottom.

5. SelectSave.

View mandatory artifacts

After you specify mandatory artifacts for a lab, DevTest Labs shows the mandatory artifacts for all lab VMs based on the operating system (Windows or Linux). When a lab user creates a new VM, they can see the mandatory artifacts that DevTest Labs plans to install.

To view the mandatory artifacts for a VM:

1. On theOverview page for your lab, selectAdd.

2. On theChoose a base page, select a Marketplace image, such asWindows 11 Pro.

3. On theCreate lab resource page, underArtifacts, notice the number of mandatory artifacts for the VM:

   

4. To see details about the mandatory artifacts, selectAdd or Remove Artifacts.

5. On theAdd artifacts screen, the mandatory artifacts are displayed above theAvailable artifacts list. The mandatory artifacts are listed in order of installation from top to bottom:

   

Delete mandatory artifacts

You can also delete artifacts in theMandatory artifacts lists:

1. On theExternal resources >Mandatory artifacts screen for your lab, select theWindows orLinux tab.

2. Select the checkbox next to the artifact in the list, and then selectDelete:

   

3. At the confirmation prompt, selectYes.

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• Add a Git artifact repository to a lab