How To… | Cloud Desktop

Please Note: Flexible Working

Staff

If you are a member of staff and require guidance on flexible working, please go to this dedicated page on ICT for Flexible Working

Students

Please note that the AVD Cloud Desktop is mainly for use by staff. If you are a student and looking to work flexibly, we recommend using AppsAnywhere and Splashtop where applicable, and backing up your documents to OneDrive.

 

Azure Virtual Desktop (AVD)

Azure Virtual Desktop (AVD) is a cloud-based remote desktop service from Microsoft that the University uses to provide a version of the corporate desktop that can be used remotely from any computer or mobile device. It is replacing the legacy Citrix Cloud Desktop that has been in use for several years but has reached end-of-life.

The AVD Cloud Desktop provides a secure way to access organisational data on a device that is not managed by ICT and keep that data separate from a personal device.

You do still need to be confident that your local device is not infected with malware, which could log your keystrokes or capture screenshots of what you are doing on AVD – for advice about information security, including guidance on how to protect your device, please see our page on Information Security.

The AVD desktops are hosted in the cloud, but they are connected directly to the University Network, and as a result, have the same level of access to internal systems and resources that corporate desktops have when used on campus.

How to use the AVD Cloud Desktop

If you are on a Corporate Desktop (Windows or Mac), you can access the AVD Cloud Desktop through your web browser by visiting https://client.wvd.microsoft.com/arm/webclient/index.html and signing in with your University Account.

This will also work on any device, but for all other devices, we recommend that you download and install the Microsoft Remote Desktop application by choosing your device type at https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/virtual-desktop/user-documentation/ – Coming Soon for Corporate Desktops (Windows and Macs).

Full guidance and instructions on how to use the AVD Cloud Desktops are available here: AVD – Getting Started.

Click here for a full Cloud Desktop FAQ.

Need Help? Call us on 01522 88 6500 or email ict@lincoln.ac.uk