DePaul University has developed a new virtual lab environment using Azure Virtual Desktop in Microsoft's Azure Cloud for students and faculty.

• Azure Virtual Desktop in Microsoft’s Azure Cloud will offer students and faculty the full Microsoft Office Suite, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Access and more!
• Azure Virtual Desktop supports OneDrive.
• While using DePaul's Virtual Lab, you can save files to your user profile (Desktop, Documents, etc) temporarily, but we strongly suggest you save your documents to OneDrive for permanent storage.
• DePaul’s Virtual Lab works with any HTML5 compliant browser (e.g. Chrome, Firefox, Edge, Safari, etc.)
• You can use Microsoft's Remote Desktop Client for additional functionality such as drive/printer redirection and full clipboard support.
• DePaul’s Virtual Lab has the capability to scale up to meet demands.

How can I connect to DePaul's Virtual Lab?

Using the Remote Desktop Client (*recommended)

1. Install the Remote Desktop Client (For Windows and macOS)
   
   1. Windows - Connect using Windows Desktop Client
   2. macOS - Connect using macOS Client
2. Add or subscribe to a workspace using your BlueKey (@depaul.edu) credentials
3. After you have subscribed, click on the "DePaul's Virtual Lab"
4. When prompted enter your BlueKey password
5. You are now connected to DePaul's Virtual Lab

Note: On May 27, 2025, Microsoft ended support for the Microsoft Store version of the Remote Desktop client, "Remote Desktop app for Windows". This change does not impact the recommended client noted above.

Using a Web Browser (*not recommended and should be used as a last resort)

1. Go to https://rdweb.wvd.microsoft.com/arm/webclient and sign in with your BlueKey (@depaul.edu) username and password
2. Click on the "DePaul's Virtual Lab"
3. Choose which of your local resources the remote computer is allowed to access
4. When prompted, sign in with your BlueKey username (@depaul.edu) and password
5. You are now connected to DePaul's Virtual Lab

What Applications are in DePaul's Virtual Lab? 

A list of available applications in DePaul’s Virtual Lab can be found in the following sections of this help article: IS Support - Software: Standard Software for Lab and Classroom Computers

• DePaul Virtual Lab Standard Software Title
• DePaul Virtual Lab Specialty Software Title
  • Note: Specialty software access is based on course enrollment.

Helpful Links

• DePaul Virtual Lab: Azure Virtual Desktop Frequently Asked Questions
• DePaul Virtual Lab: OneDrive Sign in
• DePaul Virtual Lab: macOS folder redirection setup
• DePaul Help Desk
• Remote Desktop Client FAQ
• Compare Remote Desktop Clients