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.
Open the RDP Client
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.
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
Once the application has loaded, you may open one of your published applications by merely double-clicking on the icon desired.
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.
Locate the client in your start menu and click to start it.
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
Browse to the following URL: https://client.wvd.microsoft.com/arm/webclient/
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
changelog
tags: Azure Virtual Desktop, AVD, New RDP Method, CloudWorkspace Replacement, NetApp Replacement, NetApp EOL, CloudWorkspace EOL, configuring AVD