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Windows Virtual Desktop - Access and Sign In

Instructions for UWL students to access and use the Windows Virtual Desktop, including how to launch Microsoft Access on macOS or MATLAB, and how to sign out properly to avoid session issues.

Windows Virtual Desktop (WVD) allows students to connect to a remote desktop and access applications without installing them locally. Available applications include MATLAB, Microsoft Access, Visio, and more.

Note:

  • For the best experience, install applications on your personal computer when possible instead of using the Virtual Desktop.
  • Applications available in the Virtual Desktop are also available on Library General Access computers.

IBM SPSS

Follow the steps in SPSS — Installation for Students. No Virtual Desktop needed.

Microsoft Access

Windows

Install the Microsoft Office suite (which includes Access) on your computer — see Office 365 — Accessing Office 365 Applications (and Installing Office). There is no need to use the Virtual Desktop on Windows.

macOS

Access is not available to install locally on a Mac. Use the Virtual Desktop by following the steps below.

Accessing the Virtual Desktop

These steps apply to both Microsoft Access (macOS) and MATLAB.

Important — read before proceeding:

  • Do not select anything other than General Desktop.
  • Do not plan to store files in the Virtual Desktop permanently — files are deleted at the end of your session.
  • Make sure to sign out properly when finished — failure to do so will cause issues the next time you use the General Desktop.

  1. Go to the Windows Virtual Desktop web client (opens in new tab) and sign in with your UWL account.

  2. Select General Desktop.

    Windows Virtual Desktop web client showing the General Desktop tile as the only option to select

  3. Sign in with your full UWL email address (@uwlax.edu).

    Microsoft sign-in screen with a field for entering your UWL email address

  4. If prompted about OneDrive Sync, click Close.

    OneDrive sync prompt dialog that appears on first launch, with a Close button

  5. For Microsoft Access: Open a Microsoft Office application such as Access or Word. When prompted, click Sign In.

    Microsoft Office application with a Sign In prompt to activate your Office license

    Enter your UWL email address and click Next.

    Microsoft account sign-in screen with a field for entering your UWL email address

    Enter your password and click Sign In.

    UWL sign-in screen with a password field and Sign In button

    Complete your Okta verification by selecting Get a push notification or Enter a code.

    Okta verification screen with options to receive a push notification or enter a code

    You can now use the application.

    Microsoft Access open and ready to use inside the Virtual Desktop environment

  6. For MATLAB: Open MATLAB from the desktop or Start menu.

Important: Files are deleted from the Virtual Desktop at the end of your session. Save your work to your personal OneDrive before signing out. See Office 365 — OneDrive — Accessing via the Web.

Signing Out Properly

Always sign out using the steps below. Closing the browser tab without signing out will cause issues the next time you use the General Desktop.

  1. Click the Windows Menu, click your User Name, then click Sign out.

    Windows Start menu with the user account name and Sign out option highlighted

  2. Click your Initials, then click Sign Out.

    Account menu showing user initials with a Sign Out option

  3. Click your Account to complete the sign-out.

    Final sign-out confirmation screen showing the user account

  4. When you see the confirmation screen, you have successfully signed out. Close all browser windows.

    Windows Virtual Desktop confirmation screen showing the session has ended and the user is signed out

Need Help? Contact the Eagle Help Desk.


Keywords:
Windows Virtual Desktop, WVD, virtual desktop, MATLAB, Microsoft Access, macOS, SPSS, Visio, remote desktop, virtual environment, sign out, OneDrive, UWL, student software, Office 365, Eagle Help Desk 
Doc ID:
107263
Owned by:
David H. in UW-La Crosse
Created:
2020-11-18
Updated:
2026-03-05
Sites:
UW-La Crosse