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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.
Faculty and staff Must request access to AVD via Ticket to ICT Service Desk.

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:

  1. "Windows App" application available on Windows Store or the AppStore for Mac
    • The Windows App application allows for additional capabilities such as full screen, port redirection and multiple monitors.
  2. Navigate to labapps.wlu.ca on any modern HTML-5 compatible web browser (Edge, Chrome, Safari, FireFox). 

Set Up AVD on Your Personal Device

  1. Navigate to labapps.wlu.ca Using your browser.
  2. Log in using your Laurier username and password.
  3. In the Azure Virtual Desktop Portal, double click the AZAVD-LAB icon.

    Note: It may take longer to load the AVD full desktop your first time using it.
  4. In the Access local resources prompt, select Allow.
    wvd3.png
  5. Enter your username and password (without the @mylaurier.ca suffix).
    wvd4.png

Set Up Your OneDrive

We do not recommend storing data on your AVD profile's (desktop and documents) 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: 

  1.  Double click the OneDrive icon and sign in.
     od-not-signed-in.png
    Or, you can use the shortcut on the desktop to set up OneDrive.
    odshortcut.jpg

Access OneDrive Files

To access your OneDrive files outside of AVD: 

  1. Go to onedrive.live.com. 
  2. 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

  1. Go to https://apps.microsoft.com/detail/9n1f85v9t8bnaka.ms/wvdclient
  2. Download the windows App and install from your downloads folder
  3. Log in with your Laurier account and password.

Mac

  1. Launch the App Store and search for "Windows App" or use the following link:
  2. https://apps.apple.com/ca/app/windows-app/id1295203466?mt=1
  3. Click on plus sign
  4. Sign into work or school account
  5. Log in with your Laurier account and password.

Frequently Asked Questions