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 files to OneDrive.

Please note
In order to use this service you will need to have registered for Multifactor Authentication. See further information on MFA including how to register.

Downloading the Azure virtual desktop app

Show all sections

AVD Web Client

Windows

macOS

iPadOS

Download and install the ‘Windows App’ using the link above or searching ‘Windows app’ in the App Store.

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 set up 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 and 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.

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 saving files on the AVD, Please refrain from saving personal files to the C:\Temp Area, this is accessible by all LJMU Computer Users and can also slow down the AVD. Please save all files to OneDrive where possible. IT Services regularly will delete the contents of C:\Temp when the AVD is running slow.

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 making more applications available in the AVD.

If you have any suggestions as to apps, you might find useful for your course on AVD then please do contact us via LJMU Assist. Remember to specify in the ticket that this app request is for the AVD.

Have a look at the list below to see what apps are already available on the AVD.

Show all sections

LJMU standard virtual desktop

LJMU HGFX virtual desktop

Adobe HGFX virtual desktop

Need help? If you have any issues with AVD, raise a ticket with the IT helpdesk using the link below.

Raise a helpdesk ticket to IT Services in regard to AVD

If you require access to a HGFX desktop but do not have access then you will have to request it below.

Request access to the high-graphics virtual desktop