Windows Virtual Desktop (WVD) - Getting Started


Introduction

Windows Virtual Desktop (WVD) is a Microsoft-based service that provides all Michigan Medicine faculty and staff that have a Michigan Medicine email address with remote access to a virtual Windows 11 desktop that can be safely used to access PHI.  This virtual desktop is similar to an HITS CoreImage Windows device.  WVD is HITS' alternative to using a virtual private network (VPN) to connect to Michigan Medicine's internal network and technology services from a device not managed by HITS such as a personally owned device or a U-M MiWorkspace computer.

Compare different remote access methods to see which one meets your needs.

Windows Virtual Desktop has a Silver service tier: 7am - 7pm, Monday - Saturday

 

You can access WVD from a variety of endpoints:  Windows PCs, Macs, iPads, Chromebooks, and more.  You can use Microsoft's lightweight Remote Desktop client application (Windows PC or Mac) or just a web browser.  Apart from the application itself or your web browser's cache, no other storage is needed on your computer. These virtual computers are hosted by Microsoft in the cloud; you do not need a VPN to connect to them.  The WVD sessions do not require much network bandwidth, and your connection to WVD will automatically recover if you experience a brief network interruption.

For the best experience, install the Remote Desktop application.
Only use the web access method when you don't have access to a computer with the application installed. Do not connect to WVD via a web browser if you want to use audio and/or video in Teams.

Click the following links for installation instructions:  Windows PC or Mac.

 

When you use Windows Virtual Desktop, it's as if you are using a CoreImage PC in "the cloud." Once you have the Remote Desktop client installed and configured, you will use your Michigan Medicine email address and UMICH password to sign into WVD's "Virtual Desktop" session. That session will appear full screen (and on Windows will by default span all of your displays). You can minimize the WVD session's window to get access to applications on your local computer or to resize the window so that you can switch back and forth between local applications and WVD more easily.  In all cases though, you will not be able to cut/copy/paste between your local computer and WVD. Printing and access to your device's local drives are not permitted.  Both restrictions are to ensure a high-level of security. Zoom is incompatible with Windows Virtual Desktop.  However, you can join Zoom meetings directly from your device while using WVD.

 

Access Methods

Use Microsoft's Remote Desktop client application whenever possible to have the best experience.  For instance, Teams is not supported when using a web browser to connect to WVD, whereas if you use the Remote Desktop client application, Team's audio and video will be crisp, clear, and in sync.  Use these links to find instructions to install the Windows PC or Mac clients.

When all you need to do is jump into WVD to do something quick or when you don't have access to a computer where you can install the Remote Desktop client, you can click on this website (https://virtual.med.umich.edu) while using one the following supported browsers:

  • Microsoft Edge
  • Google Chrome
  • Apple Safari
  • Firefox
Please logout of WVD when you are no longer using your session.

If you do not logout, WVD will disconnect your session after 30 minutes of inactivity and will terminate your session after an additional hour.  If you have any unsaved work, it will be lost.  While your session is disconnected, you may still launch a WVD session from the same or different computer and be reconnected right where you left off.  However, if you attempt to reconnect after 1.5 hours of inactivity, you will receive a new session. When you promptly logout you help Michigan Medicine conserve resources.

Instructions

Recommended:

For incidental use:

 

Common Questions

 

Troubleshooting