Virtual Desktop
The Virtual Desktop allows you to connect to a Windows 10 virtual desktop environment over the internet.
When should I use Virtual Desktop?
Virtual desktop is a virtualisation service that runs in the cloud. The service is available to all Staff and Students on any device. There are five virtual desktops available, see descriptions below.
Gives you instant access 24/7 to a fully configured virtual University computer
Access a range of specialist software applications without the need to download on your personal or work device
Allows access to restricted web resources and University Filestores
Note, the Virtual Desktop requires an Internet connection. Please do not use this service for general Office applications. For more details, visit the Software page.
Setting up Virtual Desktop
To use the virtual desktop, you will need to install Microsoft Remote Desktop client (recommended) or use a web browser and follow the steps for your operating system:
Microsoft Windows
Software can be found on the Desktop or within the UoN Applications folder in the Start menu
- Ensure you have set up Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) on your university account before continuing
- Download and install Microsoft Remote Desktop
- Once installed, open Remote Desktop
- Click Subscribe
- Sign in with your university email address and password when prompted
- You will then be asked to Approve sign-in request
- If asked 'Stay signed in to all your apps', click the text No, sign in to this app only
- Double click the relevant desktop that is presented to you
- Enter your university email address and password to start the desktop
- You will now see the virtual desktop starting up
Important, please don't save data directly on the virtual desktop folders (i.e. Desktop, Documents, Downloads). This is only temporary storage. Always save your data to OneDrive.
Apple macOS
Software can be found on the Desktop or within the UoN Applications folder in the Start menu
- Ensure you have set up Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) on your university account before continuing
- Get and install Microsoft Remote Desktop from the Mac App Store
- Once installed, open Microsoft Remote Desktop
- Click on the Workspaces tab
- Click Add Workspace
- Enter this URL: rdweb.wvd.microsoft.com
- Click Add
- Enter your university email address, click Next
- Enter your password, click Sign in
- You will then be asked to Approve sign-in request
- Double click the relevant desktop that is presented to you
- Enter your university email address and password to start the desktop
- You will now see the virtual desktop starting up
Important, please don't save data directly on the virtual desktop folders (i.e. Desktop, Documents, Downloads). This is only temporary storage. Always save your data to OneDrive.
Android
Software can be found on the Desktop or within the UoN Applications folder in the Start menu
- Ensure you have set up Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) on your university account before continuing
- Get the Remote Desktop from the Google Play Store
- Once installed, open Remote Desktop app
- Tap the + sign in the top right corner of the screen
- Tap Remote Resource Feed
- Enter the following Workspace URL: rdweb.wvd.microsoft.com
- Tap Next
- Enter your university email address, tap Next
- Enter your password, tap Sign in
- You will then be asked to Approve sign-in request
- Tap on the relevant desktop that is presented to you
- Enter your university email address and password to start the desktop
- You will now see the virtual desktop starting up
Important, please don't save data directly on the virtual desktop folders (i.e. Desktop, Documents, Downloads). This is only temporary storage. Always save your data to OneDrive.
iOS
Software can be found on the Desktop or within the UoN Applications folder in the Start menu
- Ensure you have set up Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) on your university account before continuing
- Get the Remote Desktop Mobile app from the App Store
- Once installed, open RD Client app
- Tap the Workspaces tab
- Tap the + sign in the top right corner of the screen
- Tap Add Workspace
- Enter the following Workspace URL: rdweb.wvd.microsoft.com
- Tap Next
- Enter your university email address, tap Next
- Enter your password, tap Sign in
- You will then be asked to Approve sign-in request
- Tap on the relevant desktop that is presented to you
- Enter your university email address and password to start the desktop
- You will now see the virtual desktop starting up
Important, please don't save data directly on the virtual desktop folders (i.e. Desktop, Documents, Downloads). This is only temporary storage. Always save your data to OneDrive.
Detailed instructions with screenshots are available on the links below (Workspace log in required):
Desktop descriptions
Unless you are a student or staff in Computer Science or Engineering, please use the general purpose desktops. You will only see desktops which are relevant to you, and you won’t see all the desktops listed below.
Student Desktop
A general purpose desktop for all students with access to your files and UoN Applications.
Staff Desktop
A general purpose desktop for all staff with access to your files and UoN Applications.
Computer Science Desktop
A specialist desktop for staff and students in Computer Science with access to your files, UoN Applications and specialist software.
Engineering Desktop
A specialist desktop for staff and students in Engineering with access to your files, UoN Applications and specialist software.
GPU Desktop
This desktop should only be used to access software which requires graphically intense processing.
What software is available?
Software can be found on the Desktop or within the UoN Applications folder in the Start menu.
To access software on the Virtual Desktop:
- Click Start
- Type in the search box to find software
- Or scroll down the list of apps until you find UoN Applications folder
- Choose your desired application
For a full list of applications available on each virtual desktop, please see the Software Library.
Software on Virtual Desktop
Related services