Using an Azure Virtual Desktop Client will enable you to connect to your Azure Virtual Desktop to access your files and applications easily and securely. You have a couple of options in Windows to connect to your virtual desktop, you can use the Microsoft Remote Desktop client or you can use the Remote Desktop Web Client, both are completely viable options.
In this post, I am going to walk you through how you can access your Azure Virtual Desktop session using both the Microsoft Remote Desktop client and the Remote Desktop Web Client.
Access with the Azure Virtual Desktop Client Application
For the best experience, I recommend using the desktop client as it will simply be quicker and easier when using a corporate device.
Install the remote desktop client
Firstly you will need to download the client application and install it to your workstation. You can get this from the Microsoft Store or by downloading the MSI installer directly from Microsoft.
To download directly from Microsoft, copy and paste this link into your browser on a new tab: https://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?linkid=2068602
- Once the file is downloaded, double-click on the file to run it.
- Click Next.
- Accept the user agreement and click Next.
- On the Installation Scope screen, select if you wish to install just for you or for all users.
- Click Install, then once complete, click Finish.
To install directly from the Microsoft Store:
- Click the Windows Icon on your task-bar and search for Microsoft Store.
- Use the search bar at the top to search for Microsoft Remote Desktop.
- Click Get and allow the installation to complete.
Once the client has been installed, it should now show under your recently added programs in the start menu.
Setup the remote desktop client
Now you have the client installed, you need to subscribe to a workspace. A workspace is simply an area where you can see all the desktops and applications that are available to you from your organisation. To subscribe to a workstation do the following:
- Open the Azure Virtual Desktop client application you have just installed.
- Click Subscribe or Subscribe with URL.
- If you click Subscribe, enter your work credentials when prompted.
- If you click Subscribe with URL, enter the following URL: https://rdweb.wvd.microsoft.com/, click Next and sign in with your credentials.
If you click Subscribe and see the error: “No workspace is associated with this email address”, your organisation has not set up email discovery. Instead, click Subscribe with URL.
Connect to your desktop and applications
Now you have subscribed to your workspace, you can open and access your desktop and applications.
- Open the Azure Virtual Desktop client application.
- Double-click on one of the icons to open your virtual desktop session.
- You may be prompted to enter your password again, if so, then enter your login details.
If you receive the following error: “There are currently no resources assigned to ‘user’ at https://rdweb.wvd.microsoft.comm/api/arm/feeddiscovery”. Then the resources have not been correctly assigned to you.
Access with the Azure Virtual Desktop Web Client
Using the Azure Virtual Desktop Web Client is a quick and easy way to access your virtual desktop resources without having to install any software. It is especially useful when you are needed to access company resources from a temporary or secondary device.
The web client can be used from any device that has a HTML-compatible web browser. While not all browsers are officially supported by Microsoft, some are:
- Microsoft Edge v79 or later, on Windows, macOS, Linux or ChromeOS
- Google Chrome v57 or later, on Windows, macOS, Linux and ChromeOS
- Safari v11 or later, on MacOS
- Mozilla Firefox v55 or later, on Windows, macOS and Linux
To access your resources through the web client, follow these steps:
- Open your web browser and navigate to: https://client.wvd.microsoft.com/arm/webclient/
- Sign in with your company user account.
- Once you are signed in you should see your desktops and applications.
- Click on one of the icons to start the remote session. You may be asked to enter your password again at this stage.