Azure Virtual Desktop (AVD) user guide

Remote Desktop (RD) client app in Windows


 
 
 
 
 
Table of Contents 
 Introduction  3 
Keywords  3 
1.  Purpose of the document  3 
 Installing and accessing AVD from the RD client.  3 
 Opening BTS (SAP GUI - Portal) using RD client.  8 
 Edge browser settings  12 
 Reconnecting after session time out.  15 
 Launching multiple applications (OneDrive) using RD Client.  16 
1.  Syncing One Drive  23 
 Transferring files (Upload/Download)  16 
1.  Upload files from your local computer to the AVD  19 
2.  Download/transfer files from AVD to your local device  20 
 Printing from AVD.  24 
 Client Settings  26 
1.  Update the Remote Desktop client  26 
2.  Refresh or unsubscribe from a workspace or see its details.  27 
 Sign-out/close apps  30 
 Help desk support details for AVD  31 
 
 
 
 
 
 

1. Introduction

Azure Virtual Desktop (AVD) is a cloud-based desktop and application virtualization

solution. Designed to optimize user experience, AVD ensures a consistent Windows

environment across all devices. Using a Windows virtual machine (VM) and cloud-hosted

applications, AVD empowers users to seamlessly access their digital workspace from any

device, enabling unparalleled flexibility and productivity.

Keywords

AVD

Azure Virtual Desktop

Remote desktop client

(RD client)

This is an application to be installed to connect AVD (Azure

Virtual Desktop) and other resources (Remote Apps)

Workspace

Workspaces are Remote App programs, session-based

desktops, and virtual desktops published by your admin using

Remote Desktop Services.

1.1. Purpose of the document

This document will show you how to connect to Azure Virtual Desktop (AVD), using the

Remote Desktop (RD) Client App. Furthermore, this document will enable you to navigate

the application and guide you through detailed step-by-step instructions on how to utilize

Azure Virtual Desktop (AVD), using RD Client.

2. Installing and accessing AVD from the RD client.

Step 1: Click on the Link (for Windows 64-bit) / Link (for Windows 32-bit) to download the

installer. It will automatically download to your default download folder.

Step 2: Open the downloaded installer. You will receive the installation prompt shown

below. Click on Next to continue.

Step 3: Select the checkbox to accept the terms in the License agreement. Click on Next to

proceed.

Step 4: Select Install just for you and click on Install.

Step 5: Once the setup is complete, select the checkbox to launch the application and click

on Finish.

Step 6: You will now see that the RD client app has opened. Once the Let’s get started

page has appeared, click on Subscribe.

Step 7: Enter your LAUSD username and click on Next.

PS: User must have configured MFA (Multi factor authentication) for LAUSD Single Sign-

On, before you proceed further. Please refer https://achieve.lausd.net/mfa for more

information.

Step 8: Input your LAUSD password and click on Sign in.

Step 9: If the portal asks you to provide MFA (Multi factor authentication), please approve

the sign in request using your method of choice.

PS: User must have configured MFA (Multi factor authentication) for LAUSD Single Sign-

On, before you proceed further. Please refer https://achieve.lausd.net/mfa for more

information.

Step 10: After authentication, the screen displayed below will begin to load.

3. Opening BTS (SAP GUI - Portal) using RD client.

Step 1: To open, SAP GUI-Portal app, double click on the SAP GUI - Portal.

You will see the screen below.

Step 2: Input your LAUSD password and click on OK. You can check the checkbox for

Remember me however, this is optional.

PS: User must have configured MFA (Multi factor authentication) for LAUSD Single Sign-

On, before you proceed further. Please refer https://achieve.lausd.net/mfa for more

information.

Step 3: Now, you will be able to see a screen with the name of the virtual machine that you

will be connecting to in AVD. Click on Yes to continue.

Note: You will see a name such as prodazavdra- x. This is just an indication of

connecting to a remote device and will not lead to any issues with your account. Continue

by clicking on Yes.

Step 4: Wait for the client to load your session.

Step 5: Now, you will be able to see that the BTS Portal page has opened in Edge browser

as a new window. You can start working on it normally as you do. In the taskbar, you can

see the SAP remote app icon as shown below.

4. Edge browser settings

This section covers settings you can configure in Edge to automatically populate your

credentials in AVD.

Step 1: Go to SAP GUI-Portal app.

Step 2: First, you have to sync your account with Microsoft Edge (This will be a one-time

activity). If you receive the popup displayed below, click on Sync.

Another option is to click on Sign-in on the edge of the tab towards the right. This will

redirect you to a prompt where you have to select Sign in.

Step 3: If required, provide MFA (Multi factor authentication) using your preferred method.

PS: User must have configured MFA (Multi factor authentication) for LAUSD Single Sign-

On, before you proceed further. Please refer https://achieve.lausd.net/mfa for more

information.

Step 4: After verification, you will be able to observe that Sync is turned on. This means

that your browser settings will now be available in AVD.

Step 5: You will see a pop-up after entering your credentials (SAP credentials for example).

To save passwords to your edge browser settings, enable the toggle named Automatically

save passwords and click on Save & Turn on.

5. Reconnecting after session time out.

Note: There is a session timeout set for the environment. If you keep your application idle,

your session will disconnect after 30 minutes. Once this occurs, you will be shown the

popup below for 2 minutes. Click on OK to stay connected.

If you do not click OK on the popup, you will receive another one as shown below. In order

to get back to your previous session, click Reconnect. If this does not work, it means that

you have been disconnected for more than 10 minutes and this option will no longer work.

From here, you will be required to click on Cancel and begin to reconnect again.

6. Transferring files (Download/ Upload) from SAP via AVD

6.1. Download files from SAP to your local computer

Step 1: Launch any SAP transaction that produces an outbound downlodable file

Below is a sample data extract screen from SAP:

Extract from file structure, select a file you would like to download and Press Download.

You must have SAP transaction permissions to perform this action in SAP

File name will be populated on SAP Dowload Files window as shown below:

File downloaded on users local machine at a fille path location provided:

This PC → Redirected drives and folders: This is the path which you can use to

download/save any file to a local device. Similarly, you can use this path to upload/open

any file from a local device.

Note: The screenshot below is an example of the redirected drives from your local device.

Important Note: Don’t go to “Network” Tab. Ensure to only follow the instructions shown in

the picture below.

Step 2: After launching the One Drive application, go to This PC.

6.2. Upload files from your local computer to the AVD

Note: To upload/transfer a file, you have to navigate to Redirected drives and folders

seen in Step 3 of section 2.5. (Attached below is an example of how to select a file from

your local device, if asked for a selection.)

Step 1: Select This PC.

Step 2: Now, you will be able to see Redirected drives and folders. Navigate to the

required folder and select your file from your local drive.

Note: Your view will be different from what is displayed below. You will be able to see the

local drives according to your local system.

6.3. Download/transfer files from AVD to your local device

Step 1: Navigate to the Location/Folder in AVD (the folder that you want to transfer files into

your local device) and copy the file.

Step 2: Now, select ‘This PC’. You'll see Redirected drives and folders here. Select the

drive you want to download your file to. (Your view might be different from the screenshot

provided below.)

Step 3: Now, navigate to your preferred folder in any of your local redirected drives and

click on paste.

You will be able to see the downloaded file in your local drive in your laptop.

7. Launching multiple applications (OneDrive) using RD Client.

Step 1: To open another app simultaneously (for example OneDrive here), go to the RD

client app. Now, double click on the application you want to open (For example, OneDrive

here). It will not ask for your credentials again.

PS: Plese refer to:

Microsoft OneDrive Basics

Step 2: You will be able to see that the OneDrive app has opened in a new window.

7.1. Syncing One Drive

Step 1: In order save files to your OneDrive, navigate to your OneDrive as shown below.

Paste the required file/files in OneDrive. Now, you will be able to see the syncing status.

Step 2: After a while, you will be able to see that the status changed. This indicates that the

file is synced with OneDrive, which will now be available in OneDrive on your local

machine, along with the online version of OneDrive.

8. Printing from AVD.

Step 1: Access the file you wish to print by navigating to the File menu and selecting the

Print option. A list of available printers will be displayed, including those labeled as

Redirected, which are printers from your local device. Below is an example of redirected

printers.

Step 2: After selecting your printer, click on Print. Now, you will be able to see the printer

notification.

Step 3: The file will connect to printers that are available on your local machine. Continue to

execute your printing process like normal.

9. Client Settings

9.1. Update the Remote Desktop client

Step 1: It is ideal to access AVD using the latest version of Remote Desktop Client. To

update your client, click on the three dots positioned at the top-right of your client. If

updates are available, a button will appear, as shown below. Click on Update available.

Step 2: You will get the below shown prompt, click on Update now.

Step 3: Upon completion of the update process, you will be presented with a screen

displaying the progress. Subsequently, the application will automatically reopen, refreshing

your feed.

9.2. Refresh or unsubscribe from a workspace or see its details.

Step 1: Open the Remote Desktop application on your device to access the workspace

details or perform actions like refreshing or unsubscribing. Locate the name of the

workspace and click on the three dots positioned to the right-hand side.

Step 2: A menu will appear, providing options for Details, Refresh, and Unsubscribe.

Step 3: Details shows you more information about the workspace (for example, AVD Dev

Apps here).

Clicking on details will show you:

● The name of the workspace shown on top of your apps.

● The URL and username used to subscribe:

● The number of desktops and apps.

● The date and time of the last refresh.

● The status of the last refresh.

● Refresh button

Step 4: The Refresh button ensures that you have the most up-to-date desktops, apps, and

settings provided by your administrator. If any modifications have been made to your

assignment, clicking on this button will refresh the client. After clicking on "Refresh," you will

see a screen confirming the refresh process.

Step 5: If you wish to remove the workspace from the Remote Desktop client, click on

Unsubscribe. A confirmation prompt will appear, asking you to confirm your decision.

Upon clicking Continue, the workspace will be removed, and any open apps will be

disconnected.

Step 6: If you accidentally click on Unsubscribe and Continue, don’t worry. You will get

back to the subscribe page in step 6 of section 2.1. Repeat the same steps to subscribe

and get back to view your applications and workspace again.

10. Sign-out/close apps

Step 1: To sign-out from the session, click on Ctrl+Alt+End. This will lead to the screen

shown below. Click on Sign Out.

Step 2: In Order to close the SAP page, click on the exit button, as shown below.

Step 3: If you want to close OneDrive, click on the exit button as shown below.

11. Help desk support details for AVD

AVD Technical Support

**Phone lines and chat services are open 7:30 am to 5:00 pm PST Monday through

Friday**

Call 213-241-5200 and PRESS 8 for any other issues. Mention the key words: “AVD” or

“VDI” or “Virtual Desktop”

(OR)

Chat with an agent