Connect to Azure Virtual Desktop (AVD), formerly Windows Virtual Desktop, with a web client or remote desktop app client using Windows, MacOS, iOS, or Android device. 

Request Access

Select one of the links below to submit a request for access to AVD. You will receive a confirmation email when access to AVD has been granted.

• Instructors AVD request form
• Students AVD request form

Note: Trouble accessing the request form? Log into portal.office.com with your UMass email and password and try the link again. 

What's New in AVD as of Spring 2021

 

---

 

In a Web Browser - Access Software Using Azure Virtual Desktop Web Client

Connect to the Web Client 

1. In your browser (preferably Chrome or Firefox) go to rdweb.wvd.microsoft.com/arm/webclient/index.html.
2. On the Microsoft sign in page, enter your UMass Amherst email and click Next.
3. Enter your UMass Amherst password on the Single Sign On page and click Sign in. 
4. Once signed in, you will be redirected to the UMass Amherst Azure Virtual Desktop (AVD) dashboard. Click on UMass Classroom icon to access remote desktop and the available apps. 

 

UMass Classroom Remote Desktop

The Azure Virtual Desktop (AVD) dashboard will display an icon for the UMass Classroom remote desktop. 
Note: Remote desktop apps have been removed from the dashboard and added to the UMass Classroom Desktop.  

1. To open remote desktop, double click on the UMass Classroom icon.
   
2. In the Access local resources window check Clipboard and Printer options and click Allow, if you wish to have access to the clipboard and your printer.
   
3. In the Enter your credentials window, enter your NetID@umass.edu and password and click Submit.
4. UMass Classroom remote desktop will launch. Use any applications as you would in a regular Windows environment.
5. To access available applications click on the Start Menu and select the application you would like to open.
   

 

Close an Open UMass Classroom Session and Disconnect

UMass Classroom Remote Desktop Session:

1. In the remote desktop, open the Start menu and click on the person icon on the left, then click Sign out.
2. Click on the X in the UMass Azure Virtual Desktop tab next to All Resources to exit the remote desktop session.
3. To sign out of the session, click on your name in the upper right corner and select Sign Out.

 

---

 

Mac OS - Access Software Using Azure Virtual Desktop via Microsoft Remote Desktop App for Mac

 

Download the Microsoft Remote Desktop Client

1. Download the Windows Remote Desktop Client for Mac from the Mac App Store.
2. Follow the installation instructions.

 

Connect to a Workspace

1. Launch the Microsoft Remote Desktop application.
2. Click on the + button to Add Workspace.
   
3. Enter the name of the workspace: https://rdweb.wvd.microsoft.com and click Add.
4. On the Microsoft sign in page, enter your NetID@umass.edu and click Next.
5. Enter your UMass Amherst password on the Single Sign On page and click Sign in. 

 

UMass Classroom Remote Desktop 

The Azure Virtual Desktop (AVD) dashboard will display an icon for the UMass Classroom remote desktop. 
Note: Remote desktop apps have been removed from the dashboard and added to the UMass Classroom Desktop.  

1. To open remote desktop, double click on the UMass Classroom icon.
   
2. UMass Classroom remote desktop will launch. 
3. To access available applications click on the Start Menu and select the application you would like to open.
   

 

Note: If you are looking for an application that is not listed under the Start menu, check the software list and ensure that the app is available on AVD.  Some apps on the UMass Classroom remote desktop are grouped in folders by category. 

 

Sign out of the UMass Classroom Session

UMass Classroom Remote Desktop Session:

1. In the remote desktop, open the Start menu and click on the person icon on the left, then click Sign out.
2. Once signed out, close or quit the Remote Desktop client. 

 

---

 

Windows - Access Software Using Azure Virtual Desktop via Microsoft Remote Desktop App for Windows

Download and Install the Microsoft Remote Desktop client

1. Download the Microsoft Remote Desktop client here.
2. Follow the installation instructions.

Connect to UMass Azure Virtual Desktop

1. Open the Start menu on your computer and open Remote Desktop client.
2. In the Remote Desktop window click on the Subscribe button.
   
3. On the Microsoft sign in page, enter your NetID@umass.edu and click Next.
4. Enter your UMass Amherst password on the Single Sign On page and click Sign in. 

 

UMass Classroom Remote Desktop

The Azure Virtual Desktop (AVD) dashboard will display an icon for the UMass Classroom remote desktop. 
Note: Remote desktop apps have been removed from the dashboard and added to the UMass Classroom Desktop.  

1. To open remote desktop, double click on the UMass Classroom icon.
   
2. In the Enter your credentials window, enter your NetID@umass.edu and password and click Submit.
3. If you are unable to sign in using your pre-filled credentials, click the More choices link, and select Use a different account. Enter your NetID@umass.edu and password.
   
   Note: It may take a few moments to log on, especially if your OneDrive account contains a large amount of data. 
4. UMass Classroom remote desktop will launch. Use any applications as you would in a regular Windows environment.

 

Sign out of the UMass Classroom Session

UMass Classroom Remote Desktop Session:

1. In the remote desktop, open the Start menu and click on the person icon on the left, then click Sign out.
2. Once signed out, close the Remote Desktop client. 

 

---

 

About OneDrive and Azure Virtual Desktop

You can use your UMass Amherst OneDrive cloud storage account, which is already integrated with the AVD service, to easily save and open your work in AVD Remote Applications and Virtual Desktop - and to access it later on other devices. 

Helpful links about OneDrive

Using the OneDrive web interface (Windows, Mac OS, Linux)

Using the OneDrive client (Mac OS)

Using the OneDrive client (Windows)

 

---

 

Using OneDrive with AVD UMass Classroom Remote Desktop

Open Your Work in AVD with OneDrive

The instructions below apply to most applications. While using an application on the UMass Classrooms remote desktop, and when ready to open your previously saved work or a set of data, navigate to the File Explorer. 

1. In the open application, go to File > Open > OneDrive – University of Massachusetts. 
   Note: In GIS applications (or apps that use python) open and save files to  \\localhost\c$users\username\OneDrive - University of Massachusetts (O:).
   
2. You might be be prompted to sign in to OneDrive with your UMass Amherst NetID and password.
3. Select the folder where you have saved your documents and click the Open button.

 

Note: If you are unable to see mapped OneDrive – University of Massachusetts (\\localhost\c$\users\username) (O:) or \\localhost\c$users\username\OneDrive - University of Massachusetts (O:), close the app in AVD and then open it again. 

 

Save Your Work in AVD with OneDrive

Saving to OneDrive will allow you to retrieve your work at a later time and at any device. 

To save your work created in an app using UMass Classroom remote desktop:

1. In the app, go to File > Save as > OneDrive – University of Massachusetts or OneDrive - University of Massachusetts (\\localhost\c$\users\username)(O:). 
   Note that in GIS apps, file path for the O drive can be also displayed as \\localhost\c$users\username\OneDrive - University of Massachusetts (O:).
2. Select the folder where you would like to save your work (such as Documents folder), or create a new folder with a specific name.
   
3. Click the Save button to save the file.
4. If you are unable to see mapped OneDrive – University of Massachusetts (\\localhost\c$\users\username) (O:) or \\localhost\c$users\username\OneDrive - University of Massachusetts (O:), close the app in AVD and then open it again. 

 

Additional Tips

• Before signing out, check and make sure that your work was properly synced with OneDrive. Open File Explorer and go to the location where the file was saved to ensure that it was synced (indicated by a green check mark). Note, that large files may take more time to sync. 
• While using GIS or apps that utilize python, save to This PC > OneDrive – University of Massachusetts (\\localhost\c$\users\username (O:) or \\localhost\c$users\username\OneDrive - University of Massachusetts (O:).
• AVD session will disconnect after 1 hour of inactivty and then log out of the virtual machine after 15 minutes. 
• Do not save to anywhere else, such as Temporary Storage - work will be lost.
• Create a memorable folder name to save your work.