On This Page

• Purpose and Audience
• Important Note
• Downloading the Windows App
• Adding the Workspace
• Signing in
• Authenticator
• Installing the Workspace
• Next Steps

Purpose and Audience

This guide provides instructions on how to get your Government Community Cloud High (GCCH) Azure Virtual Desktop (AVD) onto your Windows machine. This guide is intended for UW staff who have already completed the GCC High intake form and have received the initial email from Planet Tech with account information. If you have a Mac OS use the Mac guide.

Important Note

The GCCH environment is for University of Washington employees who are working with Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI) or National Institutes of Health (NIH) data; Both being sensitive data with strict data handling requirements. Please refer to Computing for Restricted Access Data for more information on these data types and the GCCH environment.

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Downloading the Remote Desktop (RDP)

• In the email from Planet Tech you will go to the link that is sent and it will take you here. Most likely you will download the 64 bit MSI.  

 

• You will receive a temporary password for initial account access. Once logged in, you will be prompted to create a new password.  

• This is what it will look like when you open the MSI after you download. Click next through everything.

• Install the Remote Desktop to your account.

 

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Adding the Workspace

• In the top right, select the three dots and hit Subscribe with URL and enter the URL workspace and account information provided by Planet.

   

 

• Paste the URL that was provided by Planet Tech into the workspace URL and add it.

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Signing in

•  Login with the email that was provided by Planet Tech. It will be you NetID@gcc.uw.edu along with the temporary password PT provides. You will also be prompted to change that password.

  

 

• Select next.                                                                                                                                                                                   

                                                                                        

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Authenticator

• Install Microsoft Authenticator on your phone using your GCC credentials.  

                              

 

• Scan the QR code and test out the authenticator as it prompts you to.

  

 

• Enter your phone number for a second method of authentication. 

                                   

 

• Select done.

   

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Installing the Workspace

• Read through the terms of use and accept.

        

 

• It will then begin setting up your workspace. If it stalls on this screen. Just cancel it and restart it. It should boot up right away.

 

 

• Fire up the virtual desktop. Yours will be your project names Azure virtual desktop.

• Open Microsoft edge
  • In the search bar enter  https://www.office365.us 

  

  • From here you will be able to access OneDrive and SharePoint

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Next Steps

• Upon completion of account setup, reach out to help@uw.edu with the GCC consulting group subject line for initial data transfers into the enclave. We will work closely with the Planet Tech group to ensure complete data access. 

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