The below guidance outlines how to use Windows Virtual Desktop (WVD) when working, teaching and studying from home.
Overview:
- Duo Two Factor Authentication
- Choose your Operating System
- Windows 10
- macOS
- Working with multiple displays in WVD
A desktop version of Windows Virtual Desktop (WVD) is available, and you can also access WVD via a browser if you are unable to use the desktop version. This guide will show you how to install and use both versions. Desktop WVD may provide a more reliable connection if you are experiencing issues, depending on your circumstances. Please note, WVD services are still in development and this page may change subject to updates.
Duo Two Factor Authentication
Windows Virtual Desktop uses Duo Two Factor Authentication which is being rolled out to all University members. If you receive the message "The username you have entered is not enrolled with Duo Security. Please contact your system administrator" when trying to launch WVD, please refer to the Duo enrolment article.
Choose your Operating System
- Where do I download WVD?
- How do I know if I'm running 32-bit or 64-bit Windows?
- How do I install WVD?
- How do I run WVD?
Working with multiple displays in WVD
Important: If you're connecting from a Linux device, then we recommend you access WVD using the browser/web version. Further details on supported browsers can be found below.
Please use the browser/web version if you are unable to use WVD desktop version.
Windows 10
Where do I download WVD?
To download Windows 64-bit WVD, click here: Windows 64-bit
To download Windows 32-bit WVD, click here: Windows 32-bit
How do I know if I'm running 32-bit or 64-bit Windows?
Windows 10
- Select the 'Start' button, then select 'Settings > System > About'.
- At the right, under 'Device specifications', see 'System type'.
Windows 7
- Select the 'Start' button, right-click 'Computer', and then select 'Properties'.
- Under 'System', see the system type.
Important: Screenshots are not provided for Windows 7 installation. The steps are identical to Windows 10, though Windows 7 details may differ slightly from the screenshots shown here.
How do I install WVD?
1. Once the installer file has downloaded, open the file to begin installation.
2. Click 'Next'.
3. Tick "I accept the terms in the License Agreement", then click 'Next'.
4. Leave "Install just for you" selected as this does not require Admin rights, then click 'Install'.
5. Click 'Finish'.
How do I run WVD?
1. After clicking finish, WVD will run automatically, on the first screen click 'Subscribe'.
2. Enter your university credentials: username in the format "username@leeds.ac.uk" as you would for Office365 and eduroam.
3. Enter your account 'password'.
Important: if you have set up a PIN on your device using your University username you must select 'Sign-in Options' then 'User Account and Password' otherwise you may receive an error when launching virtual desktops. If you are having difficulty please refer to this WVD 'FAQs article'.
4. Select the virtual desktop you require by double clicking on its icon (by default you may only see one virtual desktop).
4. Enter your account password and click 'OK'.
5. Agree to the University's Use of Computer Systems Policy by clicking 'OK'.
macOS
Please note the WVD (Microsoft Remote Desktop) is only available for macOS 10.14 (Mojave) and up, please use web browser access if your macOS version is below 10.14.
Important: If the '@' symbol on your Mac is not working in WVD, set the keyboard mode to Unicode in the Remote Desktop settings as shown below (at the bottom of this macOS specific section)
Where do I download WVD?
Download and install the Microsoft Remote Desktop by visiting the Mac App Store and selecting 'Get'. If requested, enter your Apple ID account password when prompted.
How do I install WVD?
1. Find and run the Microsoft Remote Desktop app from your Macs Applications list.
2. Click on the 'Workspaces' button at the top and then select 'Add Workspace'.
3. In the Add Workspace box type in the following: https://rdweb.wvd.microsoft.com/api/arm/feeddiscovery then click the 'Add' button.
3. You will be asked to sign in with your University credentials. Enter your username in the format "username@leeds.ac.uk".
4. Enter your normal University password.
5. Once signed in, you will see your available desktops. Launch the desktop you have been provided access to by double-clicking its icon. For more detail about the available desktops please see the 'Related Articles' section of this page.
6. Finally, re-enter your login information. Enter the username in the format "username@leeds.ac.uk" and use your normal University password then click 'Continue'.
7. Agree to the University's Use of Computer Systems Policy by clicking 'OK'.
This will launch WVD in fullscreen mode, and it should be ready to use after it loads your profile. To run WVD in a window, simply hover near the top of the screen and click the relevant resizing options from the top left of the window.
Important: If the '@' symbol on your Mac is not working in WVD, set the keyboard mode to Unicode in the Remote Desktop settings as shown below.
Working with multiple displays in WVD
1. After installing and signing into the WVD desktop version, 'right-click' on your instance of WVD (e.g. Academic or General) and select 'Settings'.
2. Click on 'Use default settings' to turn it off.
3. Select the display configuration you wish to use. Click on the drop-down box and select 'All Displays' to use all screens connected, 'Single Display' to select just one, or 'Select Displays' to choose specific screens. If the screen is highlighted in blue, it will be used.
Important: Multiple display support is not available when accessing WVD via a browser.
Browser Support
Supported browsers are as follows:
| Browser | Supported OS | Notes |
| Microsoft Edge | Windows | |
| Internet Explorer | Windows | |
| Apple Safari | macOS | |
| Mozilla Firefox | Windows, macOS, Linux | Version 55 or later |
| Google Chrome | Windows, macOS, Linux, Chrome OS |
1. Access WVD in your browser by going to "https://vwd.leeds.ac.uk".
2. Enter your username in the format "username@leeds.ac.uk" as you would for Office365 and eduroam.
3. Enter your account password.
4. Select the virtual desktop you require by double clicking on the icon (by default you will only see one virtual desktop).
5. The first time you launch a virtual desktop you will be prompted to allow access to local resources. This allows you to copy and paste from your computer to the virtual desktop. Tick 'Don't ask me again for connections to this computer' so you are not prompted for this option again. Please note, printing via local printers will not be available (despite the tick box being selected)
6. Enter your account password and click 'OK'.
If you receive a message saying, "The username you have entered is not enrolled with Duo Security. Please contact your system administrator." Please refer to the Duo enrolment article.
7. Agree to the University's Use of Computer Systems Policy by clicking 'OK'.