Windows Virtual Desktop — WVD
Scalable virtual desktop platform that allows you to connect to a Windows computer on the Columbia domain from anywhere without VPN.
WVD provides efficient virtual access to Columbia resources by using the cloud instead of physically shipping hardware to employees and contractors. WVD environments provide a consistent experience for users and can be managed and maintained remotely, either by CUIT or by your departmental IT group.
CUIT's WVD service has several uses, providing opportunities for schools, researchers and staff to offer standard CUIT-managed Windows desktop environments to their users (including students), or to create custom managed desktop environments that are designed to match their users' needs (including developers).
With CUIT's WVD, you can access all of the resources that you normally would be able to use from Columbia's network, including file shares, printing queues, and specialized websites that must be accessed via campus (e.g. RSAM). Students living abroad who need assistance accessing Courseworks (Canvas), LionMail (Gmail), Panopto and other web-based resources can also use WVD.
How to request WVD
Please contact your departmental IT group or dean to discuss requesting access to WVD. Submit a ticket specifying the following information:
- For International Virtual Desktop offering, faculty and school administrators should submit a request on behalf of their students and include:
- First name, last name and UNI of student(s)
- Duration of access needed (e.g. Spring 2021 semester)
- Chartstring information
- For all other WVD offerings, include:
- WVD offering that fits your needs (see below)
- Number of users overall (provide UNIs of users if you have them)
- Number of concurrent users expected
- Software needed
- Are roaming profiles needed (data saved locally that will be available at next login)? (Yes/No)
- Chartstring information
- WVD Offering
- CUIT-managed Virtual Team Desktop
- Description
- Standard CUIT-managed desktop pool environment
- CUIT Desktop Support provides support and maintenance
- Customer can access:
- All resources on campus via a replica of the CUIT-managed desktop environment
- Customer can save, log out, and return to files:
- Yes
- Customer can install software:
- No
(may be added to pool upon request and assessment)
- WVD Offering
- Custom-managed Virtual Team Desktop
- Description
- Custom-created managed desktop pool environment
- Your departmental IT group will be responsible for support and maintenance
- Customer can access:
- All resources on campus via a custom-designed desktop environment
- Customer can save, log out, and return to files:
- Based on needs
- Customer can install software:
- No
(may be added to pool upon request and assessment)
- WVD Offering
- CUIT Individual Virtual Developer Desktop
- Description
- Individual developer desktop environment
- Customer can access:
- Based on needs
- Customer can save, log out, and return to files:
- Based on needs
- Customer can install software:
- Yes
- WVD Offering
- Custom Individual Virtual Desktop
- Description
- Custom-created environment for an individual
- Your departmental IT group will manage
- Customer can access:
- All resources on campus
- Customer can save, log out, and return to files:
- Based on needs
- Customer can install software:
- Based on needs
- WVD Offering
- CUIT Labs Virtual Desktop
- Description
- Virtual environment that replicates CUIT Labs desktops
- Customer can access:
- All CUIT Lab software on campus
- Customer can save, log out, and return to files:
- No
- Customer can install software:
- No
- WVD Offering
- International Virtual Desktop
- Description
- A virtual environment that allows users abroad to access resources on the CU network
- Customer can access:
- All CU resources that a campus computer can access
- Customer can save, log out, and return to files:
- Yes
- Customer can install software:
- No
Pricing
Payment will be processed via chartstring.
- CUIT-managed Virtual Team Desktop
- $5,000 per year, per server. 1 server, supports up to 14 concurrent users, 10 recommended. Prorated monthly
- Custom-managed Virtual Team Desktop
- $5,000 per year, per server. 1 server, supports up to 14 concurrent users, 10 recommended. Prorated monthly
- CUIT Individual Virtual Developer Desktop
- $2500 per year, must pay for a full year.
- Custom Individual Virtual Desktop
- Variable based on needs.
- CUIT Labs Virtual Desktop
- Variable based on needs.
- International Virtual Desktop
- $20 per month, must pay for the full semester.
How to connect to WVD
Any web-enabled device can connect to Windows Virtual Desktops (WVD). Windows, macOS, and iOS can connect to WVD via a web client or via the remote desktop application. The use of the web client is recommended for the most consistent user experience.
You can connect to WVD using any HTML5-supported browser like Google Chrome, Firefox or Edge.
Step 1: Open your browser and browse to https://rdweb.wvd.microsoft.com/arm/webclient. Type your user name i.e. uni1234@adcu.columbia.edu.

Step 2: You will be redirected to the Columbia University portal. Type your password and click Sign in.

Step 3: Authenticate with Duo multifactor authentication.

Step 4: You will be presented with any available resources. Double-click on the appropriate resource to connect. The appearance of this screen may vary from user to user.


Once you have access to the client in the browser window, you should see the published desktops and applications.
Step 1: Download and install the Windows Remote Desktop client.

Step 2: Once installed, launch the Remote Desktop client and click Subscribe.

Step 3: Enter your Columbia login credentials uni1234@adcu.columbia.edu.

Step 4: You will be redirected to the Columbia login portal. Type your password, then you will be prompted for Duo multifactor authentication.

Step 5: You will be presented with any available resources. The appearance of this screen may vary from user to user.

Step 6: Double-click the appropriate resource to connect, then enter your Columbia UNI and password and click OK.

Step 1: Download and install the appropriate client for your device from the links below:
Step 2: Launch the Microsoft Remote Desktop application and choose Not now if prompted. Click Add Workspace.

Step 3: Enter https://rdweb.wvd.microsoft.com/api/arm/feeddiscovery as the workspace URL and click Add.

Step 4: Enter your Columbia login credentials uni1234@adcu.columbia.edu.

Step 5: You will be redirected to the Columbia University portal. Type your password then you will be prompted for Duo multifactor authentication.

Step 6: You will then be presented with any available resources. Double-click on the appropriate resource to connect. The appearance of this screen may vary from user to user.

Step 7: Use your ADCU credentials to connect.

FAQ
Yes. Any web-enabled device can connect to Windows Virtual Desktops (WVD). Windows, macOS, and iOS can connect to WVD via a web client or via the remote desktop application.
No. You may only connect to a Windows computer.