How to Access the DHA Azure Virtual Desktop

Checking for Pre-Installed Software

Before making any changes, check the Control Panel to see whether the required software is already installed on your computer. There are two easy ways to open the Control Panel:

1. Type Control Panel in the “Type here to search” section of your taskbar.
2. Or click the Start menu, scroll to Windows System, and click Control Panel.

If your Control Panel opens in Category view (upper right), click Programs. If it opens in Large icons view, click Programs and Features.

Once the list of software loads, verify the following:

• ActivClient – Not required. If installed, it must be at least version 7.1.0.
• Microsoft Remote Desktop Client – No minimum version required at this time.

If Microsoft Remote Desktop Client is missing, download and install it before accessing the DHA Azure Virtual Desktop. ActivClient is not required, but if present it must meet the minimum version requirement.

Installing the Microsoft Remote Desktop Client

1. Download the Microsoft Remote Desktop Client (MSI) for Windows from Microsoft.
2. Run the installer and select Next.
3. Accept the license agreement and select Next.
4. Select the appropriate installation scope. To avoid needing local Administrator privileges, you may choose Install for just you. Then select Install.
5. Select Finish.

Configure Microsoft Remote Desktop Client and Access AVD

1. Launch the Microsoft Remote Desktop client and select Subscribe.
2. Enter the account email as appropriate:
   • DHA SA account: @adm.health.mil
   • DHA PIV account: @health.mil
3. Select Sign in with CAC/PIV and enter your PIN when prompted.
4. Your available virtual desktops will appear in the client. To launch a desktop, double‑click it or select and press Enter.
5. Choose the closest region: If you are east of the Mississippi, choose a desktop in AVD Prod East. If west of the Mississippi, choose AVD Prod West. For details, see Determining Your Optimal AVD Region.

Success! You are now logged in to the DHA Azure Virtual Desktop.

Installing and Configuring the Apple MacOS Client

(These instructions were developed for MacOS Sequoia 15.1.1 and Windows App 11.0.8 (2481); other versions may have slightly different interfaces.)

1. Install Windows App from the MacOS App Store.
2. Launch Windows App and click Add Workspace.
3. In the Add Workspace dialog, enter the following URL and click Add:

https://rdweb.wvd.azure.us/api/arm/feeddiscovery

4. Enter the account email as appropriate:
   • DHA SA account: @adm.health.mil
   • DHA PIV account: @health.mil
5. Your available virtual desktops will appear in the client. To launch a desktop, double‑click it or press Enter.
6. Choose the closest region: East of the Mississippi → AVD Prod East. West of the Mississippi → AVD Prod West. See Determining Your Optimal AVD Region for details.

Success! You are now logged in to the DHA Azure Virtual Desktop.

How To Customize Display Settings in Remote Desktop Client

1. Right‑click the Desktop you wish to customize.
2. Turn Use Default Settings off and customize the display with the available options.

Problems Subscribing with Email Discovery

Occasionally email discovery does not work as outlined above. In this instance, choose Subscribe with URL and enter the URL below.

https://rdweb.wvd.azure.us/api/arm/feeddiscovery

Utilizing the AVD Client Taskbar

Once you’ve logged into an AVD session, hover your mouse at the top middle of the screen to reveal the taskbar.

Icon Descriptions

• Pin/Unpin – Pin or unpin the AVD connection bar to the top of your virtual desktop to prevent auto‑hiding.
• Lock – View certificate information for the authenticated desktop (pop‑up boxes must be closed before returning to your normal desktop).
• Signal Strength – Shows network quality. See details displays advanced information (timestamp, client info, network details, and your AVD host info). Copy using Ctrl + C.
• Minimize – Returns you to your physical desktop; reopen from your taskbar.
• Windows – Toggles your client into a single window frame; click again to restore to full desktop.
• X – Disconnect from your current session.

Configuring Client Peripheral Device Permissions

The following steps demonstrate how to control Microphone, Camera, and Location permissions on a Windows 11 client (other operating systems may differ):

1. On your local machine, open Settings (right‑click the Windows logo and select Settings or search for the Settings app).
2. In Settings, search for Installed Apps and select it.
3. Under Installed Apps, locate Microsoft Teams VDI. Select the most recent installation, click the three dots, then choose Advanced Options.
4. Under Advanced Options, toggle Location, Camera, and Microphone on or off as desired.

How To Enable Virtual Keyboard When Using a Touch‑Screen Capable Client

1. In your AVD session, open Settings.
2. Select Time & Language.
3. Select Typing.
4. Expand Touch Keyboard and set Show the Touch Keyboard to Always.

Determining Your Optimal AVD Region

1. Make your AVD session full‑screen if it is not already.
2. Move your mouse to the top of the screen to display the AVD toolbar.
3. Select the Connection Information icon.
4. In the dialog, select the down‑arrow next to See details.
5. Locate the Gateway name:
   • If the gateway contains UGVI, you should connect to an AVD East desktop.
   • If the gateway contains UGAZ, you should connect to an AVD West desktop.