Army Virtual Desktop (AVD): register and connect

Get onboarded, install the right app, and log in with your CAC.

Army Enterprise AVD is a Windows 11 virtual desktop you reach with your Army 365 account and CAC, from government or personal computers on NIPR or home networks.

Before you start

• An active Army 365 (@army.mil) account, current Cyber Awareness training and IT User Agreement (confirm with your unit).
• A computer with a working CAC reader (see the CAC reader guide).

1. Register (one time)

1. On a NIPR computer or a CAC-enabled personal computer, open the AVD onboarding access package linked in the official Army instructions below (CAC required).
2. Read the User Acknowledgment, select Yes, click Save, and close the browser.
3. Wait for the onboarding email from the Army 365 AVD Onboarding Team (official guidance says you can also just wait about 15–20 minutes and try).

2a. Connect with the app (recommended)

1. Install Microsoft's Remote Desktop / Windows App from the download links in the official instructions (Windows: aka.ms/AVDWindows; Mac: App Store "Microsoft Remote Desktop"/Windows App). Don't install it on a government computer if your AUP forbids it.
2. Open the app and choose Add workspace (Windows: "Subscribe with URL").
3. Enter rdweb.wvd.azure.us.
4. Sign in with your @army.mil address, pick your CAC certificate and enter your PIN.
5. Choose the server closest to you (East or West) and click OK on the two final prompts.

2b. Connect from a browser

1. Go to https://client.wvd.azure.us/arm/webclient/index.html.
2. Sign in with your @army.mil address, choose your CAC certificate, enter your PIN, then pick East or West.

Still stuck?

• No workspace showing: the onboarding probably hasn't finished; wait and retry.
• No certificate prompt: fix your reader and DoD certificates first (certificate guide).