Virtual desktops let you use University-licensed software from your own device, on or off campus, without buying or installing it yourself.
Which desktop to use
- UniDesk: for students and academic staff, and the one most people need
- Specialist desktops: for some departments and specialist software
- UniApps: includes AdminDesk for Management, Specialist and Administration (MSA) staff, plus some research and teaching software
There are also separate desktops for some departments and specialist software. These are the names you will see in Windows App:
- Architecture and Civil Engineering: ACE AVD Desktop, ACE Affinity Karamba
- Chemical Engineering: ChemEng GPU Lab, Aspen (Project Only)
- Mechanical Engineering: GPU Desktop
- Translation and interpreting: MemoQ
- Cambridge Crystallographic Data Centre (CCDC) software and MATLAB: CCDC MATLAB
You will only see the desktops you have access to, which depends on your course, modules or group.
UniDesk & Specialist Desktops
UniDesk runs Windows and includes familiar software such as Microsoft 365 (Word, Excel and PowerPoint), plus other licensed software such as SPSS, NVivo and Maple.
Some departmental and specialist software is available through additional desktops.
Connecting
You will need multi-factor authentication (MFA) set up on your University account. You do not need to be connected to the VPN.
- Install Windows App, from the Microsoft Store on Windows, the App Store on Mac, iPhone and iPad, or Google Play on Android. It replaces the old Remote Desktop app.
- Open it, sign in with your University email address and password, then approve the MFA prompt.
- Select 'Connect' on the desktop you need.
On Linux, or if you can't install the app, go to windows.cloud.microsoft in your browser and sign in the same way.
UniApps (AdminDesk)
UniApps includes the following remote desktops:
- AdminDesk: for MSA staff using University business software such as Agresso and Crystal Reports
- OrCAD, Gaussian and MassHunter: for particular research and teaching needs
UniApps is also known as Remote Desktop Services (RDS). It connects differently from UniDesk and the specialist desktops, so follow its own steps below.
You'll need the University VPN unless you're on campus using a University-managed computer. You don't need MFA.
Connect to UniApps
Before you start
You'll need to connect to the VPN first, unless you're on campus using a University-managed computer. You don't need MFA.
You'll need this address to set up UniApps on your device: unidesk.campus.bath.ac.uk
On Windows
- Search for 'Access RemoteApp and desktops' in the Start menu.
- Add the address unidesk.campus.bath.ac.uk.
On a Mac, iPhone, iPad or Android device
- Download the Windows App for your device:
- Open the Windows App and add a new workspace using the address unidesk.campus.bath.ac.uk.
On Linux, or if the options above don't work
Go to UniApps in your browser.
If you use Chrome, you'll need to install the XSLT Polyfill extension from the Chrome Web Store before UniApps will load.
Instructions and support
- For instructions for each device, and other ways to connect, see Connect to UniDesk and UniApps in the Self-Service Portal.
- If a desktop you expect is missing, or you still can't connect, contact the IT Service Desk.
Further information
- Your work saves to your University OneDrive: let OneDrive finish syncing before you close a session.
- Sign out using the sign out button in the Start menu, rather than closing the window. A closed window leaves the session running for a while, which ties up resources.
- You can only have one desktop open in Windows App at a time, so sign out properly before opening a different one.