ITS has been preparing a successor to Citrix for remote access to desktops and applications called Azure Virtual Desktops (AVD). This solution provides a more modern client and desktop experience. The desktop is the latest version of Windows 11, and all applications are the most up-to-date versions.  

Several months have been spent setting up the environment and testing to ensure AVD will meet the needs of the University. This included day-to-day use of AVD by a pilot group of students, faculty, and staff. The feedback provided has been very positive and was extremely helpful for identifying, preventing, and fixing issues before rolling AVD out to the entire campus community.   

If you currently use Citrix to access applications or desktops, you should have access to the same resources in AVD. Please begin switching to AVD at your leisure. Below are instructions for installing the Remote Desktop client used to access AVD on Drake and personally owned computers. 

Installing Remote Desktop on a Drake-Owned Windows Computer (How-to) 

Installing Remote Desktop on a Personally-Owned Windows Computer (How-to) 

Installing Remote Desktop on a Drake-Owned Mac (How-to) 

Installing Remote Desktop on a Personally-Owned Mac (How-to) 

Additional instructions are available and linked below. These provide guidance on using the Remote Desktop client,  including client, including ways to adjust display settings.  

Using Azure Virtual Desktops (How-to) 

Citrix will remain available until the end of J-term. Please transition to AVD before the start of the spring semester on January 29, 2024.

If you have any issues using or would like assistance setting up AVD, please contact the Support Center online at service.drake.edu/its or by phone at 515-271-3001.  

— Chris Mielke, ITS