Azure Virtual Desktop
Azure Virtual Desktop (AVD) is a state-of-the-art cloud desktop for all students, on or off-campus. It runs many apps you might not have on your own PC, offering a full Windows 11 experience like on-campus PCs. It includes the Microsoft Office suite and LJMU OneDrive. AVD works on many devices including Chromebooks, iPads, macOS and Microsoft Windows Desktops and Laptops, so you can access software for your courses easily and securely.
Two desktops for LJMU students
- Windows 11 Virtual Desktop: Available to all students, offering a wide range of standard apps.
- LJMU HGFX Virtual Desktop: Designed for courses requiring high-powered graphics software and Adobe CC (If Licensed).
New this year
- A brand-new Windows 11 Desktop User Interface with built-in tools such as a calculator and screen capture software.
- Rolling out lots of new applications!
- No more M drive access on AVD, but you have full access to LJMU OneDrive. Move files to OneDrive before using AVD. We have a guide on how to migrate your M drive files to OneDrive.
Need Help? If you have any issues, raise a ticket with the IT helpdesk in regard to AVD.
Downloading The Azure Virtual Desktop App
Faq Items
AVD Web Client
Web Desktop Client (32 and 64 Bit)
macOS
iPadOS
Using the AVD
Unlike our on-campus PCs, all of the apps are located in the Start menu by clicking the "All apps" button located in the top right-hand side of the start menu. Core apps such as Web Browsers, Canvas and Office 365 (Word, PowerPoint, Excel and OneNote) can be found on the front of the start menu for easy access.
You can also search for applications using the search bar, located in the middle of the taskbar.
You can find all your files by pressing the file explorer icon on the start menu and then pressing OneDrive. This new AVD does not connect to your M Drive!
When you have finished with your AVD session, you can disconnect by using the logoff button on either the desktop or the start menu. The same as you would on an on-campus computer.
Apps On The AVD
We are constantly working on improving our AVD to give everyone the best experience and accessibility to the LJMU network and the software that we provide. Keep your eye on this page every month or so as we work on adding more applications from the AppPlayer onto the AVD.
If you have any suggestions as to apps, you might find useful for your course on AVD then please do request an app for the AVD.
Have a look at the list below to see what apps are already available on the AVD!
Faq Items
Windows 11 Desktop Standard
HGFX
AVD Web Client
Windows Desktop Client (32 & 64 Bit)
MacOS
iPadOS
Click the web link above and login to the AVD using your LJMU credentials as shown below. Your LJMU username @ ljmu.ac.uk and then your LJMU password.
Example:
After entering your details, you might need to authenticate using the Microsoft Authenticator app on your phone.
Visit our webpage if you are unsure on how to setup or use the Microsoft Authenticator app.
You're now on the LJMU launch screen to choose your AVD. Most students will have the Windows 11 Virtual Desktop. If your course requires high graphics software, then you will also have the HGFX Desktop.
Click the desktop you want and then you can choose your permissions. Tick the options you want AVD to access.
The AVD might prompt you with this screen, If it does, Please click yes!
You can toggle the controls in the top right to hide the AVD connection bar and go full screen. It’s recommended for best experience.
You can still be able to bring back the connection bar by clicking the top of the browser session (also shown below)
Download and install the app using the link above. Install it just for your user profile.
Once installed, launch the remote desktop app and press ‘subscribe’
Now login with your LJMU credentials.
You may be asked for two-factor authentication.
You're now on the LJMU launch screen to choose your AVD. Most students will have the Windows 11 Virtual Desktop. If your course requires high graphics software, then you will also have access to the HGFX Desktop.
After choosing the AVD desktop you want, click 'Yes' if prompted.
Then the AVD will launch full screen for you to use.
Download & install the ‘Windows App’ Using the link above or searching ‘Windows’ in the AppStore.
Once downloaded, launch the app and press the plus in the top right corner of the app and select ‘Add Work or School Account”. Then login with your LJMU Username & Password.
Your Mac will then take a minute to configure before you arrive on the AVD launch page where you can choose which AVD desktop you want to connect to.
Download & install the ‘Windows App’ using the link above or searching ‘windows app’ in the AppStore.
It is also recommended to have the Microsoft Authenticator app set up on your iPad prior to setting up this app for a smoother experience logging in. Visit our webpage if you are unsure on how to setup or use the Microsoft Authenticator app.
Once downloaded, open the windows app.
Next, press the plus logo next to search and add ‘Work or School Account’.
Now login using your LJMU username as shown in the screenshot below.
Once logged in, your iPad will take a minute to configure.
You will then be taken to the AVD launch page where you can choose your desktop you want to connect to.
To connect to the desktop you want, tap on the coloured icon and press connect. You can also favourite an AVD desktop too.
Your iPad will then take a minute to connect to your AVD session.
Once connected to your session, you will then be logged into the actual remote desktop.
While you wait for your blue login screen to become a desktop, you can choose your interface options, to change your interface options, press the windows logo on the right hand side.
Once pressed, you will be able to see your open connections, minimise out of the AVD app on the iPad and choose your interface setting which defines how you interact with the AVD with the touchscreen. There are 2 modes, touch and mouse. Touch allows you to interact with the AVD like a normal iPad touchscreen interface. Mouse will turn your iPad screen into a huge trackpad and you move and tap your finger across the screen the same as you would on a traditional laptop mouse. You can change this setting any time you like during your session.
Then tap back on your desktop & you should see the LJMU desktop on your iPad.
There is also a built in touch screen keyboard underneath the floating windows flag however if you have a Bluetooth keyboard (or similar), it is recommended to connect that to your iPad to get the maximum experience out of the AVD.