*As of May 27, 2025, the Remote Desktop app will no longer be supported or available for download and installation. For Azure Virtual Desktop access, please install the Windows App. 

On this page:

• Request Access
• Azure Virtual Desktop - Web Browser
• Azure Virtual Desktop - Mac OS
• Azure Virtual Desktop - Windows
• About OneDrive & Azure Virtual Desktop
• Using OneDrive with AVD UMass Classroom Remote Desktop

Connect to Azure Virtual Desktop (AVD) with a web client or Windows app (formerly remote desktop app client) using Windows, MacOS, iOS, or Android device. 

Request Access

Select one of the links below to submit a request for access to AVD. You will receive a confirmation email when access to AVD has been granted.

• Instructors AVD request form
• Students AVD request form

Note: Trouble accessing the request form? Log into portal.office.com with your UMass email and password and try the link again. 

---

Azure Virtual Desktop - Web Browser

Connect to the Web Client 

• In your browser (preferably Chrome or Firefox) go to https://windows.cloud.microsoft/.
• The Microsoft Login should appear with your netid@umass.edu. Select your login.

• The Microsoft Windows App page will load, displaying two desktops. Select the desktop of your choice by Left-clicking on the blue Connect button.

• A new browser tab will open, with options for your remote Windows settings. Please note that if you keep the Keyboard shortcuts selection, your session will open in full screen mode. Select the Connect button to proceed.

• You will be prompted to sign in, using your netid@umass.edu credentials. Enter your UMass login, and select the Sign In button.

• You will now be in a remote desktop session, with access to all the software available.

Note: If you are looking for an application that is not listed under the Start menu, check the software list and ensure that the app is available on AVD. Some apps on the UMass Classroom remote desktop are grouped in folders by category. 

Disconnect from UMass Classroom Session

• In the remote desktop, click the Windows icon on the bottom, then Power icon, and then select Disconnect.
  
• Once disconnected, close your respective browser windows. 
  

 

---

 

Azure Virtual Desktop - Mac OS

Step 1: Download and Install the Windows App

• Download the Windows App from the Mac App Store.
• Follow the installation instructions.

Step 2: Connect to a Workspace

• Launch the Windows App.
• Click on the + button to Add Workspace.
• Enter the name of the workspace: https://rdweb.wvd.microsoft.com and click Add.
• On the Microsoft sign in page, enter your NetID@umass.edu and click Next.
• Enter your UMass Amherst password on the Single Sign On page and click Sign in. 

Step 3: Access UMass Classroom Remote Desktop 

The Azure Virtual Desktop (AVD) dashboard will display devices for UMass Windows Virtual Desktop.  

• To open remote desktop, double click on the UMass Classroom icon of your choice.
  
• Re-enter your UMass credentials to connect to remote desktop.
  
• To access available applications, click on the Windows icon and select the application you would like to open or use the search bar.
  

 

Note: If you are looking for an application that is not listed under the Start menu, check the software list and ensure that the app is available on AVD. Some apps on the UMass Classroom remote desktop are grouped in folders by category. 

Step 4: Disconnect from UMass Classroom Session

• In the remote desktop, click the Windows icon on the bottom, then Power icon, and then select Disconnect.
  
• Once disconnected, close the Windows App. 

---

 

Azure Virtual Desktop - Windows

Step 1: Download and Install the Windows App

1. Download the Windows App from the Microsoft Store.
2. Follow the installation instructions.

Step 2: Connect to UMass Azure Virtual Desktop

1. Open the Start menu on your computer and open Windows App.
2. On the Microsoft sign in page, enter your NetID@umass.edu and click Next.
3. Enter your UMass Amherst password on the Single Sign On page and click Sign in. 

Step 3: Access UMass Classroom Remote Desktop

The Azure Virtual Desktop (AVD) dashboard will display an icon for the UMass Classroom remote desktop. 

• The Microsoft Windows App page will load, displaying two desktops. Select the desktop of your choice by Left-clicking on the blue Connect button.

• A new browser tab will open, with options for your remote Windows settings. Please note that if you keep the Keyboard shortcuts selection, your session will open in full screen mode. Select the Connect button to proceed.

• You will be prompted to sign in, using your netid@umass.edu credentials. Enter your UMass login, and select the Sign In button.

• You will now be in a remote desktop session, with access to all the software available.

Note: If you are looking for an application that is not listed under the Start menu, check the software list and ensure that the app is available on AVD. Some apps on the UMass Classroom remote desktop are grouped in folders by category. 

Step 4: Disconnect from UMass Classroom Session

1. In the remote desktop, click the Windows icon on the bottom, then Power icon, and then select Disconnect.
   
2. Once disconnected, close the Windows App. 

 

---

 

About OneDrive and Azure Virtual Desktop

You can use your UMass Amherst OneDrive cloud storage account, which is already integrated with the AVD service, to easily save and open your work in AVD Remote Applications and Virtual Desktop - and to access it later on other devices. 

Helpful links about OneDrive

Using the OneDrive web interface (Windows, Mac OS, Linux)

Using the OneDrive client (Mac OS)

Using the OneDrive client (Windows)

 

---

 

Using OneDrive with AVD UMass Classroom Remote Desktop

Connect Your Work in AVD with OneDrive

If you are using AVD for the first time, set up your OneDrive on your remote desktop by first signing in with your UMass Amherst NetID and password.

• 

Open Your Work in AVD with OneDrive

The instructions below apply to most applications. While using an application on the UMass Classrooms remote desktop, and when ready to open your previously saved work or a set of data, navigate to the File Explorer. 

1. In the open application, go to File > Open > OneDrive – University of Massachusetts. 
   Note: In GIS applications (or apps that use python) open and save files to  \\localhost\c$users\username\OneDrive - University of Massachusetts (O:).
   
2. You might be be prompted to sign in to OneDrive with your UMass Amherst NetID and password.
3. Select the folder where you have saved your documents and click the Open button.

 

Note: If you are unable to see mapped OneDrive – University of Massachusetts (\\localhost\c$\users\username) (O:) or \\localhost\c$users\username\OneDrive - University of Massachusetts (O:), close the app in AVD and then open it again. 

 

Save Your Work in AVD with OneDrive

Saving to OneDrive will allow you to retrieve your work at a later time and at any device. 

To save your work created in an app using UMass Classroom remote desktop:

1. In the app, go to File > Save as > OneDrive – University of Massachusetts or OneDrive - University of Massachusetts (\\localhost\c$\users\username)(O:). 
   Note that in GIS apps, file path for the O drive can be also displayed as \\localhost\c$users\username\OneDrive - University of Massachusetts (O:).
2. Select the folder where you would like to save your work (such as Documents folder), or create a new folder with a specific name.
   
3. Click the Save button to save the file.
4. If you are unable to see mapped OneDrive – University of Massachusetts (\\localhost\c$\users\username) (O:) or \\localhost\c$users\username\OneDrive - University of Massachusetts (O:), close the app in AVD and then open it again. 

Additional Tips

• Before signing out, check and make sure that your work was properly synced with OneDrive. Open File Explorer and go to the location where the file was saved to ensure that it was synced (indicated by a green check mark). Note, that large files may take more time to sync. 
• While using GIS or apps that utilize python, save to This PC > OneDrive – University of Massachusetts (\\localhost\c$\users\username (O:) or \\localhost\c$users\username\OneDrive - University of Massachusetts (O:).
• AVD session will disconnect after 1 hour of inactivity and then log out of the virtual machine after 15 minutes. 
• Do not save to anywhere else, such as Temporary Storage - work will be lost.
• Create a memorable folder name to save your work.