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 IT for Flexible Working

Students

Please note that the AVD Cloud Desktop is primarily intended for staff use. 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.

Formerly known as the Cloud Desktop, The AVD provides a secure way to access organisational data on a device that is not managed by Digital Services, while keeping that data separate from the personal device.

You will 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 AVDs 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 Azure Virtual Desktop (AVD)

Via the Web

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

Via your Desktop

If you have a University corporate Windows computer, you can install the Windows App for AVD:

1. Click the Start Menu button or search bar and search for “Software Center”.

2. Click on the “Windows App for AVD”. If you cannot see it, you may need to search for it.

3. Click on the “Install” button that appears and wait for the application to install.

Once installed, you can open the application from your Start Menu.

1. Open the Windows App from your Start Menu.
2. Once opened, click the “Sign in” button.
3. Enter your University email address and complete the sign-in process as normal (including Multi-Factor Authentication).
4. Click through the “Next” buttons to read the introduction, or you can choose to “Skip”.
5. Select the “Devices” button if you are not defaulted to this window.
6. Select “Connect” on the device you wish to connect to.

For all other devices, we recommend that you download and install the Microsoft Remote Desktop application by choosing your device type at https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/virtual-desktop/connect-azure-virtual-desktop.

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 dt@lincoln.ac.uk