The Virtual Desktop allows you to connect to a Windows 10 virtual desktop environment over the internet.
When should I use Virtual Desktop?
Virtual desktop is a virtualisation service that runs in the cloud.The service is available to all Staff and Students on any device. There are five virtual desktops available, see descriptions below.
Gives you instant access 24/7 to a fully configured virtual University computer
Accessa range of specialist software applications without the need to download on your personal or work device
Allows access to restricted web resources andUniversity Filestores
Note, the Virtual Desktop requires an Internet connection. Please do not use this service for general Office applications. For more details, visit theSoftwarepage.
Multi-Factor Authentication [MFA]
Please be aware, from Monday 12 April, all users will need to use Multi-Factor Authenticationto approve access.
Setting up Virtual Desktop
To use the virtual desktop, you will need to install Microsoft Remote Desktop client [recommended] or use a web browser and follow the steps for your operating system:
Software can be found on the Desktop or within the UoN Applications folder in the Start menu
- Ensure you have set up Multi-Factor Authentication [MFA] on your university account before continuing
- Download and installMicrosoft Remote Desktop
- Once installed,openRemote Desktop
- ClickSubscribe
- Sign in with your university email address and password when prompted
- You will then be asked to Approve sign-in request
- If asked 'Stay signed in to all your apps', click the text No, sign in to this app only
- Double clickthe relevant desktop that is presented to you
- Enter your university email address and password to start the desktop
- You will now see the virtual desktop starting up
Important, please don't save data directly on the virtual desktop folders [i.e. Desktop, Documents, Downloads]. This is only temporary storage. Always save your data to OneDrive.
Software can be found on the Desktop or within the UoN Applications folder in the Start menu
- Ensure you have set up Multi-Factor Authentication [MFA] on your university account before continuing
- Get and installMicrosoftRemote Desktopfrom the Mac App Store
- Once installed,openMicrosoft Remote Desktop
- Click on the Workspaces tab
- ClickAdd Workspace
- Enter this URL:rdweb.wvd.microsoft.com
- ClickAdd
- Enter your university email address, clickNext
- Enter your password, clickSign in
- You will then be askedto Approve sign-in request
- Double clickthe relevant desktop that is presented to you
- Enter your university email address and password to start the desktop
- You will now see the virtual desktop starting up
Important, please don't save data directly on the virtual desktop folders [i.e. Desktop, Documents, Downloads]. This is only temporary storage. Always save your data to OneDrive.
Software can be found on the Desktop or within the UoN Applications folder in the Start menu
- Ensure you have set up Multi-Factor Authentication [MFA] on your university account before continuing
- Get theRemote Desktopfrom the Google Play Store
- Once installed,openRemote Desktopapp
- Tap the + sign in the top right corner of the screen
- TapRemote Resource Feed
- Enter the following Workspace URL:rdweb.wvd.microsoft.com
- TapNext
- Enter your university email address, tapNext
- Enter your password, tapSign in
- You will then be asked to Approve sign-in request
- Tapon the relevant desktop that is presented to you
- Enter your university email address and password to start the desktop
- You will now see the virtual desktop starting up
Important, please don't save data directly on the virtual desktop folders [i.e. Desktop, Documents, Downloads]. This is only temporary storage. Always save your data to OneDrive.
Software can be found on the Desktop or within the UoN Applications folder in the Start menu
- Ensure you have set up Multi-Factor Authentication [MFA] on your university account before continuing
- Get theRemote Desktop Mobileapp from the App Store
- Once installed,openRD Clientapp
- Tap the Workspaces tab
- Tap the+sign in the top right corner of the screen
- TapAdd Workspace
- Enter the following Workspace URL:rdweb.wvd.microsoft.com
- TapNext
- Enter your university email address, tapNext
- Enter your password, tapSign in
- You will then be asked to Approve sign-in request
- Tapon the relevant desktop that is presented to you
- Enter your university email address and password to start the desktop
- You will now see the virtual desktop starting up
Important, please don't save data directly on the virtual desktop folders [i.e. Desktop, Documents, Downloads]. This is only temporary storage. Always save your data to OneDrive.
Detailed instructions with screenshots are available on the links below [Workspacelog in required]:
Desktop descriptions
Unless you are a student or staff in Computer Science or Engineering, please use the general purpose desktops. You will only see desktops which are relevant to you, and you wont see all the desktops listed below.
Student Desktop
Ageneral purposedesktop for all students with access to your files and UoN Applications.
Staff Desktop
Ageneral purposedesktop for all staff with access to your files and UoN Applications.
Computer Science Desktop
A specialist desktop for staff and students in Computer Science with access to your files, UoN Applicationsand specialist software.
Engineering Desktop
A specialist desktop for staff and students in Engineering with access to your files, UoN Applicationsand specialist software.
GPU Desktop
This desktop should only be used to access software which requires graphically intense processing.
What software is available?
Software can be found on the Desktop or within the UoN Applications folder in the Start menu.
To access softwareon the Virtual Desktop:
- ClickStart
- Type in the search box to find software
- Orscroll down the list of apps until you findUoN Applicationsfolder
- Choose your desired application
For a full list of applications available on each virtual desktop, please see the Software Library.
Software on Virtual Desktop