Overview

We’ve transitioned to Azure Virtual Desktop (AVD) to provide a more seamless, secure, and flexible way for you to access Argos Vault. With AVD, you can now connect using either a web browser or the Windows App.

Why Are We Using AVD?

• Easier Access: You can log in directly from a web browser - no need to install additional software
• Improved Security: Our virtual machines (VMs) are no longer exposed to the public internet
• Better Performance: AVD is optimised for remote work, offering a smoother experience
• Multi Factor Authentication: Integrated with Entra ID to provide stronger authentication including MFA (Multi Factor Authentication)

How to Log In

Option 1: Log In Using the Windows App (Recommended)

If you prefer using a local client application, follow these steps:

1. Download and install the Windows app

·        Windows

·        Mac

2. Open the Windows app and click Subscribe
3. Enter your Entra ID username and password

·        The first time you log in, you will be prompted to change your password.

·        The first time you log in, you will be prompted to register for Multi Factor Authentication. Follow the on-screen instructions to set up an authentication method.

4. Select the remote desktop session for Argos Vault
5. The session will open, giving you full access to your workspace
   

Option 2: Log In Using a Web Browser

1. Open Google Chrome, Microsoft Edge, or Firefox
2. Go to https://windows.cloud.microsoft/
3. Sign in using your Entra ID username and password. 

·        The first time you log in, you will be prompted to change your password.

·        The first time you log in, you will be prompted to register for Multi Factor Authentication. Follow the on-screen instructions to set up an authentication method. 

4. Click on the remote desktop session for Argos Vault

5. Your session will open in a new tab, allowing you to access Argos Vault directly.
6. You may be prompted to configure some In Session Settings - we recommend setting the Enable high DPI setting to On to provide the best experience

Troubleshooting

New Way of Transferring files

To transfer files between your local device and your remote session USING WINDOWS DESKTOP APP:

• The copy and paste functionality will continue to work between your local device and the remote session.
  
• You will also be able to view your local device drives within the remote session, and if your administrator allows transferring files directly into those drives you can use the copy and paste functionality within the remote session as well. 

Copy and paste of files and documents between this remote session and my local device no longer works – What’s the alternative?

To transfer files between your local device and your remote session IN WEB BROWSER:

• Sign in to the Remote Desktop Web client and launch a remote session.
• For the prompt Access local resources, check the box for File transfer, then select Allow.
• Once you're remote session has started, open File Explorer, then select This PC.
• You'll see a redirected drive called Remote Desktop Virtual Drive on RDWebClient. Inside this drive are two folders: Uploads and Downloads
• Downloads prompts your local browser to download any files you copy to this folder.
• Uploads contains the files you uploaded through the Remote Desktop Web client.
• To download from your remote session to your local device, copy and paste files to the Downloads folder. Before the paste can complete, the Remote Desktop Web client will prompt you Are you sure you want to download N file(s)?. Select Confirm. Your browser will download the files in its normal way.

·        If you don't want to see this prompt every time you download files from the current browser, check the box for Don’t ask me again on this browser before confirming.

• To upload files from your local device to your remote session, use the button in the Remote Desktop Web client taskbar for Upload new file (the upwards arrow icon). Selecting this will open a file explorer window on your local device.

Browse to and select files you want to upload to the remote session. You can select multiple files by holding down the CTRL key on your keyboard for Windows, or the Command key for macOS, then select Open. There is a file size limit of 255MB.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

How is my data secured?

• AVD uses enterprise-grade encryption and multi-factor authentication (MFA) for secure access.
• Your session is isolated, and data is never stored on your local device.
• Our VMs are only accessible within a private network - no direct exposure to the internet

What if I forget my password?

• Use the password reset option on the Entra ID sign-in page
• If you still have trouble, contact Support

What should I do if I get an error when logging in?

• "Username or password incorrect" → Ensure you're using your Entra ID credentials, not your old local VM login
• "You don’t have access to this resource" → Your Entra ID account might not be assigned to the AVD workspace, please contact Support.
• "Session disconnects frequently" → Check your internet connection or switch to a wired network
• Other errors? Reach out to Support 

Why are you recommending Windows App? 

• Microsoft is discontinuing support for the Remote Desktop app from May, 2025. The Windows App is the recommended way forward.

Can I still use my old local VM login?

• No. As part of the transition, we have moved all authentication to Entra ID
• If you haven't logged in yet, refer to the How to Log In section above
  

1. This usually means your computer is missing an important Windows component called WebView2. You can fix it by following these steps:
   
1. Download the WebView2 Runtime (x64)
   
2. Run the installer as Administrator and follow the prompts
   
3. Restart your computer
   
4. Try opening the Windows App again 

Need Help?

If you have any issues, don’t hesitate to contact Support. We’re here to ensure a smooth transition.