Setting Up and Using the Azure Virtual Desktop (AVD) Clients

Author: Eric Vasbinder

NOTE:  This article is for configuring and using the various AVD clients ONLY.  It is NOT intended for downloading or installation of AVD clients.  

Overview

As mentioned in the Azure Virtual Desktop (AVD) transition article (XXXXXX), the move to AVD from NetApp / CloudWorkspace will be occurring from the end of September through part of November 2023.  Once complete, customers will need to obtain and install an appropriate AVD client in order to connect to their RDP access to resources; this is the third and final step in continuing to connect to your RDP resources after the transition.  

The need to use this new client applies to any customers using our RDP published apps feeds (e.g. VEC RDP or TC1/VP1 RDP) as well as customers using our virtual desktop solution, known as Viewpoint For Cloud (VFC).

Please see below for information configuring and using your AVD client of choice after downloading and installing it.

Configuring and Using Remote Desktop Client for Windows

Configuring the Remote Desktop Client for Windows

Once downloaded and installed, please use the following steps to setup your RDP client for Windows.

Figure 1:  Multiple RDP Client Versions Installed

3.  When the client has fully started please click on the three dots in the upper right hand corner of the client.

4.  Next, click on the "Subscribe" option.

Figure 2:  Click Subscribe

5.  Log in with your AVD account.

NOTE:    The steps to login with an Azure Virtual Desktop account are exactly the same between each AVD client.  As such, rather than duplicating the steps multiple times in this article, we have split the steps for the login process into a separate cloud FAQ article which can be reached here:  Logging In - Via Azure Virtual Desktop (AVD) Rich Client 


Please return to this point in THIS article once you have logged in.

6.  Wait for the Remote Desktop client to find the published applications associated with your account.

Figure 3:  Waiting with breathless anticipation...

7.  Your feed icons should now be loaded.  You may start one of your published applications by merely double-clicking on the icon shown.

Figure 4:  Resources Loaded.

8.  From here you may either view additional details about your newly loaded feed, refresh the feed icons ahead of the normally scheduled refresh rate, or unsubscribe from this feed thereby deleting those icons from your Remote Desktop client.

Figure 5:  Feed options

Using the Remote Desktop Client for Windows

Figure 4:  Resources Loaded

2.  Once you have started the application, AVD will set up the connection to your remote RDP terminal server instance.  During this stage, you may see the following screen displayed.

Figure 6:  Initiating Remote Connection

3.  You will likely receive another login prompt at this point.  Your username for AVD will already be prefilled into this dialog box.  At this stage, you merely need to enter the password for your account.  Please remember, this will be different from your standard Azure Active Directory account or Windows authentication account; this is a different account from anything else you use.

Figure 7: Enter AVD Specific Password

4.  Once your password has been entered correctly, the system will load your desired application.

Figure 8: The Application Is Loaded

Configuring and Using the Azure Virtual Desktop Client Preview from Microsoft App Store

Configuring the Azure Virtual Desktop Client Preview from the Microsoft Store

Once installed, please use the following steps to setup your AVD Client Preview from the Microsoft Store.

Figure 9: Azure virtual desktop Preview - Click to Start

2.  Similar to the Remote Desktop Client steps shown above, please click on the "Subscribe" option.   NOTE:  You will also see additional "subscribe" and "subscribe with URL" buttons if you have never added any resources to this client before.  Either "Subscribe" button may be used, whether from the menu or from the main screen.

Figure 10: click the subscribe option

3.  Log in with your AVD account.

NOTE:    The steps to login with an Azure Virtual Desktop account are exactly the same between each AVD client.  As such, rather than duplicating the steps multiple times in this article, we have split the steps for the login process into a separate cloud FAQ article which can be reached here:  Logging In - Via Azure Virtual Desktop (AVD) 

Please return to this point in THIS article once you have logged in.

Azure Virtual Desktop Web Client

Remote Desktop Client for macOS - UNDER CONSTRUCTION


Remote Desktop Client for iOS / iPadOS - UNDER CONSTRUCTION


Remote Desktop Client for Android / Chrome OS - UNDER CONSTRUCTION


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tags:  Azure Virtual Desktop, AVD, New RDP Method, CloudWorkspace Replacement, NetApp Replacement, NetApp EOL, CloudWorkspace EOL, configuring AVD