Azure Virtual Desktop is Microsoft’s cloud replacement to Remote Desktop Server.
Below you will find some common tasks and configurations required to access your company’s hosted AVD instance. The most common and feature rich experience is achieved by using the Remote Desktop Client, however the Web Client can be used almost anywhere without prior installation or setup – great for simple access when in a pinch.
Windows PC – Remote Desktop Client
This will be the most common way to access the AVD desktop environment.
- Download the client installer from Microsoft here: https://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?linkid=2139369
- Run the installer by double-clicking the file you downloaded.
- On the welcome screen, select Next.
To accept the end-user license agreement, check the box for I accept the terms in the License Agreement, then select Next. - For the Installation Scope, select one of the following options:
- Install just for you: Remote Desktop will be installed in a per-user folder and be available just for your user account. You don’t need local Administrator privileges.
- Install for all users of this machine: Remote Desktop will be installed in a per-machine folder and be available for all users. You must have local Administrator privileges.
- Select Install. Once installation has completed, select Finish.
If you left the box for “Launch Remote Desktop when setup exits” selected, the Remote Desktop client will automatically open. Alternatively to launch the client after installation, use the Start menu to search for and select Remote Desktop.
Apple Mac PC – Remote Desktop Client
macOS 12 or later is required.
- Download and install the Remote Desktop client from the Mac App Store.
Subscribing to a Workspace
A workspace combines all the desktops and applications that have been made available to you by Sentrian. On your work computer, you will be automatically subscribed to a workspace based on your Windows login.
To subscribe to the workspace manually (e.g. on a home computer), follow these steps:
Open the Remote Desktop app on your device.
The first time you subscribe to a workspace, from the Let’s get started screen, select Subscribe or Subscribe with URL.
If you selected Subscribe, sign in with your user account when prompted, for example user@contoso.com. After a few seconds, your workspaces should show the desktops and applications that have been made available to you by Sentrian.
If you see the message “No workspace is associated with this email address”, Sentrian might not have set up email discovery, or you are using an Azure environment that is not Azure cloud, such as Azure for US Government. Try the steps to Subscribe with URL instead.
If you selected Subscribe with URL, in the Email or Workspace URL box, enter the URL: https://rdweb.wvd.microsoft.com. After a few seconds, the message “We found Workspaces at the following URLs” should be displayed.
Select Next.
Sign in with your user account when prompted. After a few seconds, the workspace should show the desktops and applications that have been made available to you by Sentrian.
Once you’ve subscribed to a workspace, its content will update automatically each time you start the client. Resources may be added, changed, or removed based on changes made by Sentrian.
Once you’ve subscribed
Once you’ve subscribed to a workspace, here’s how to connect:
- Open the Remote Desktop client on your device.
- Double-click one of the icons to launch a session to Azure Virtual Desktop. You may be prompted to enter the password for your user account again in some circumstances.
Any PC – Web Client
The following web browsers (non-mobile) are supported for web client access:
- Microsoft Edge
- Google Chrome
- Apple Safari
- Mozilla Firefox
The web client can be accessed at https://client.wvd.microsoft.com/arm/webclient/
- Sign in with your user account. Once you’ve signed in successfully, your workspaces should show the desktops and applications that have been made available to you by your admin.
- Select one of the icons to launch a session to Azure Virtual Desktop. You may be prompted to enter the password for your user account again in some circumstances.
- A prompt to Access local resources may be displayed, asking you confirm which local resources you want to be available in the remote session. Make your selection, then select Allow.
The Web client is convenient to quickly jump in and out but will be missing some of the full app’s features e.g. multi-monitor support.