Quick Links:Web Client | Remote Desktop Client | Launch the Lab | Save and Access Files
- Windows Virtual Desktop (WVD) is a technology that allows users to connect to an application on a remote system - bypassing the need to install the application locally. WVD applications can be accessed in two ways, via a web browser or by downloading the remote desktop client and subscribing to a feed.
- This tutorial shows you how to set-up windows remote desktop in order to connect to a windows virtual machine. This allows you to use the windows VM as if yo.
- NOTICE: Microsoft Remote Apps As of 1/04/2021 the Microsoft Remote Apps has been migrated to Microsoft Windows Virtual Desktop. If you need assistance connecting to these resources please follow the instructions found HERE: or call 928-523-3335.
Windows Virtual Desktop (WVD) Overview As a desktop and app virtualization service in Azure, Windows Virtual Desktop allows administrators to set up a scalable, multi-session Windows 10 deployments using virtualized desktops as well as virtualized Microsoft 365 and other apps in multi-user virtual scenarios. Instead, it is using outbound connectivity to the Windows Virtual Desktop infrastructure over the HTTPS connection. This gives a secure and simple way to implement connectivity for your remote desktops. For the details about reverse connect, see a brand new topic in Windows Virtual Desktop documentation.
Important: Effective Nov. 1, the URLs for Virtual Desktops for Remote Work have changed to the following:
NOTE: The Pitt IT Virtual Desktop is in its pilot phase for staff during the University's COVID-19 mitigation efforts. Please contact the 24/7 IT Help Desk if you have questions about the service or experience any technical difficulties. The Virtual Lab is also now available to faculty and students. |
Overview
The Pitt IT Virtual Desktop (Microsoft) enables faculty and staff to remotely access a set software and resources. The convenience of the Virtual Desktop is that you can access it from any location, using almost any computer or mobile device, at any time of day. It's your personal 24/7, on-the-go solution. A list of titles is available.
Benefits of Virtual Desktop
Remote Desktop Windows Download
- Software access without saving it on your device's hard drive, for machines with limited storage capacity
- Uses less bandwidth and compute resources than Office online, for those experiencing performance issues
- Connect from a web browser or app on nearly any Windows, MacOS, Android or iOS device
- Access the most popular software for staff use, with synced access to files saved in your OneDrive cloud storage
- Secure your work with cloud-based services and storage behind Pitt Passport sign-on and Duo multifactor authentication
Access
Virtual Desktop access is available for all faculty and staff. If you can not access the Virtual Desktop service, please contact the 24/7 IT Help Desk.
Note: The web client requires HTML 5. The latest version of most browsers supports HTML 5.
- Navigate to pi.tt/vdesktop(https://rdweb.wvd.microsoft.com/arm/webclient).
- Enter your University email address. You are redirected to the Pitt Passport login screen.
- Log in using your University Computing Account username and password.
- Double click Enterprise Remote Access under the heading Pitt IT – Remote Work.
- Enter your University Computing Account username and password to complete the login process.
Important: You will be saving your files to your OneDrive account. You cannot save files to your local computer or device when using the web interface.
Use the Remote Desktop Client
Following are general steps for downloading the client:
- Navigate to https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/virtual-desktop.
- From the Connect to Windows Virtual Desktop section, click on the link for the type of device you are using.
- Follow the directions on the page to install the client and connect to Virtual Desktop.
- To add a workspace, in the Remote Desktop client select the Workspaces tab. Click the '+' sign and choose Add Workspace.
- Enter your <username @ pitt.edu> University email address, and click Add. (Alternatively, you can enter https://rdweb.wvd.microsoft.com/api/arm/feeddiscovery as the workspace URL, and then click Add.)
Specific instructions for each operating system are listed below:
- Navigate to https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/virtual-desktop/connect-windows-7-and-10.
- Most computers will use the Windows 64-bit client.
- Follow the directions from the link above to download and install the current client.
- Navigate to https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/virtual-desktop/connect-macos.
- Follow the directions from this link to download and install the current client.
- Subscribe to the Virtual Desktop feed by clicking Add Feed on the main page. Enter https://rdweb.wvd.microsoft.com as the Feed URL.
Remote Desktop Services Vs Windows Virtual Desktop
- Navigate to https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/virtual-desktop/connect-ios.
- The App Store launches. Download the Remote Desktop Client from Apple.
- Follow the directions from the link above to download and install the current client.
- Navigate to https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/virtual-desktop/connect-android.
- The Google Play Store launches. Download the Remote Desktop Client from Google.
- Follow the directions from the link above to download and install the current client.
- Launch Remote Desktop by navigating to the web client or opening the desktop client (e.g., double-click on the Remote Desktop icon or search for the program from the Start menu.)
- If you have never used the client before, the “Let’s Get Started” screen displays. Click Subscribe to log in with Pitt Passport (Windows only), or click Subscribe with URL, enter your Pitt email address, and click Next.
- Log in using your University Computing Account username and password.
- Double click Enterprise Remote Access under the heading Pitt IT – Remote Work.
- Enter your University Computing Account username and password to complete the login process.
- Once you've logged in, the Virtual Desktop remote lets you access available software titles and resources.
- To disconnect from Virtual Desktop, simply close the web client browser window or the desktop client.
Available Software
The following software is available on Pitt IT Virtual Desktop:
- Adobe Creative Cloud Suite Named User Licensing (Acrobat, Photoshop, Lightroom, Illustrator, etc.)
- Google Chrome
- Microsoft Office 365 (Access, Excel, Work, Powerpoint, Outlook, etc.)
- Microsoft Project (Project Online Pro for Office 365 license needed)
- Microsoft Teams (Note: Installation of Teams software is required for its use.)
- Microsoft Visio (Visio Pro for Office 365 license needed)
- Mozilla Firefox
- Palo Alto Identity (Identity Firewall Rules needed)
- Perceptive Content
- Windows Applications(Calculator, Edge, IE)
Remote Desktop Windows Virtual Desktop Client
- You are automatically logged into OneDrive upon connecting to Virtual Desktop.
- Files saved to Virtual Desktop or in its Documents or Pictures folders will be saved to your OneDrive Account.
- If you are using the desktop client, you can also save files to your local device.
- Files saved in OneDrive will automatically sync with any device you use to connect to the Virtual Desktop, via the web or desktop client.
- If you connect to OneDrive directly—at portal.office.com—the Desktop folder contains the files saved to Virtual Desktop.