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.  

• For screenshots of downloading the various AVD clients, please see the following cloud FAQ article for further instructions:  How to Download the Azure Virtual Desktop (AVD) Client 

• For screenshots of installing the various AVD clients:   How to Install the Azure Virtual Desktop (AVD) Client 

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.

1. Open the RDP Client

2. If you see a message talking about how you have the Azure Virtual Desktop client from the Microsoft Store installed as well, please click "Continue anyway".  Reminder: do not run both applications at the same time.  There will be issues if you do so.

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.

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.

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

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.

Using the Remote Desktop Client for Windows

1. Once the application has loaded, you may open one of your published applications by merely double-clicking on the icon desired.

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.

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.

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

Azure Virtual Desktop Web Client

1.  Browse to the following URL:  https://client.wvd.microsoft.com/arm/webclient/ 

2. Follow the login instructions on this FAQ page:  Logging In - Via Azure Virtual Desktop (AVD) 

Remote Desktop Client for macOS - UNDER CONSTRUCTION

Remote Desktop Client for iOS / iPadOS - UNDER CONSTRUCTION

Remote Desktop Client for Android / Chrome OS - UNDER CONSTRUCTION

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