Virtual Computer Labs
Azure Virtual Desktop (AVD) is a virtual computer lab that allows you to access software commonly required for your courses at no cost.
All undergraduate and graduate students currently registered for Laurier courses have access to AVD.
AVD User Device Access Requirements
Internet connectivity needs to support at least 40mbps downstream and 5 mbps upstream.
AVD can be accessed by the following two platforms:
- Microsoft Remote Desktop client application available on Windows Store or the AppStore for Mac
- The Microsoft Remote Desktop client application allows for additional capabilities such as full screen, port redirection and multiple monitors.
- Navigate to labapps.wlu.ca on any modern HTML-5 compatible web browser (Edge, Chrome, Safari, FireFox).
Set Up AVD on Your Personal Device
- Go to labapps.wlu.ca.
- Log in using your Laurier username and password.
- In the Windows Virtual Desktop Remote App Portal, double click the AZWD-LAB icon.
Note: It may take longer to load the AVD full desktop your first time using it. - In the Access local resources prompt, select Allow.
- Enter your username and password (without the @mylaurier.ca suffix).
Set Up Your OneDrive
We do not recommend storing data on your AVD profile because they are not backed up and are removed at the end of each semester. Instead, use your OneDrive folder to save and open documents/data files, making them easily accessible each time you log in.
The first time you run AVD, you will need to initialize your OneDrive, which will provide you access to files storage:
- Double click the OneDrive icon and sign in.
Or, you can use the shortcut on the desktop to set up OneDrive.
Access OneDrive Files
To access your OneDrive files outside of AVD:
- Go to onedrive.live.com.
- Log in with your Laurier username and password.
Running AVD in Full Screen Mode
If you would like the application to run full screen instead of in your browser window, download the desktop application to connect to AVD.
Windows
- Go to aka.ms/wvdclient
- The Remote Desktop msi will download to your computer (check bottom left of your window).
- Double click to run the setup wizard, click through all prompts.
- At the Let’s get started screen, subscribe rdweb.wvd.microsoft.com/api/arm/feeddiscovery
- Log in with your Laurier account and password.
Mac
- Launch the App Store and search for "Microsoft remote desktop" or use the following link: apps.apple.com/ca/app/microsoft-remote-desktop/id1295203466?mt=12
- Add workspace
- Log in with your Laurier account and password.
Frequently Asked Questions
If you saved to “This PC,” then your data is saved in your AVD profile. Your file is only visible and accessible from within the AVD and nowhere else.
You should not save information to you AVD profile. All files must be saved to your OneDrive.
Saving to OneDrive is the best method to save your data for later use even through your future semesters:
It is not recommended that a tablet be used for AVD as there are challenges with setting up Eduroam and accessing AVD via Remote Desktop Client application for Chromebooks.
- ACD/ChemSketch, ChemBasic, ChemViewer and 3D Viewer
- Adobe Digital Editions
- Adobe Reader
- ArcGIS and ArcGIS Pro
- Atom
- Brackets
- CaseWare Working Papers
- Cygwin
- Eclipse
- Eikon Desktop/Datastream
- Eviews
- Excel
- Fusion
- G Power
- GIMP
- HandBrake
- HeidiSQL
- Igor Pro
- Inkscape
- Jupyter Notebook
- Maple
- MatlLab
- Mendeley
- Mercury
- Miktex
- MotorLab
- MS Access
- MS Project
- Notepad++
- NVDA
- Nvivo
- OneDrive
- PCI Geomatica
- Power BI Desktop
- PsychoPy
- Putty
- PyCharm
- Pymol
- QGIS
- Quartus
- QuickBooks
- R/R-studio
- Respondus Lockdown Browser
- ROTMAN trading Software
- SimBio
- SNAP
- SPSS Statistics by IBM
- STATA
- Tableu
- Texlive
- Thonny
- Wincoot
Yes, the AVD service uses an encrypted VPN link between Microsoft cloud and on campus to protect your data. Anything saved within AVD or OneDrive is only viewable by you.
There is a 60 minute inactivity timer. The AVD application will disconnect you after 60 minutes of inactivity.
There is a five minute timer for your session to stay active if you lose internet connectivity, so you can reconnect and continue where you left off.
If faculty require new software be added to AVD for pedogical purposes, please fill out the Software Request for Computer Labs Form. This will be received by ICT's Desktop Architect team who will review your request and connect with you for the next steps.