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Virtual desktop service (VDS)

The virtual desktop service (VDS) provides secure access to commonly used Windows applications and University filestores.

For the best experience in terms of speed and functionality, we recommend downloading and installing the client on a Windows or Mac computer.

Key features

  • Connect from most devices, including managed University computers, personal Windows, Mac and Linux computers, Chromebooks, tablets and phones.
  • Access commonly used software, including ABBYY Finereader, ArcGIS Pro, EndNote, MATLAB, Microsoft 365, NVivo, and SPSS.
  • Staff can access University business applications, including Agresso, Kinetics and SITS.

Access instructions


Available to staff and students

You can use this service on University-managed and personal devices.

App and web-based

Compatible with Windows, Mac, Linux, Android and iOS. This service also works in your web browser.

Funded by the University

There isn’t a cost to you for standard use.

Additional information

When you connect to the VDS, you will have access to the UniDesktop collection of commonly used software. 

Staff also have access to a separate collection of specialised business applications.

UniDesktop (available to staff and students)

  • ABBYY Finereader
  • ACD/ Labs
  • Anaconda (Python)
  • ArcGIS Pro
  • BioEdit
  • BlueJ
  • ChemDraw
  • Chromas
  • CLAN
  • ClustalX2
  • Corel PaintShop Pro
  • CorelDraw
  • enCIFer
  • EndNote
  • Equatio
  • Eviews
  • Firefox
  • Gauss
  • Gaussian 16w
  • GaussView
  • GNUPlot
  • Google Chrome
  • Google Drive
  • GPower
  • IGV
  • ImageJ
  • Inkscape
  • LyX
  • Maple
  • Mathematica
  • MathType
  • Matlab
  • Mega11
  • Mercury
  • MestReNova
  • Microfit
  • Microsoft 365 (Word, Excel, PowerPoint etc)
  • Microsoft Edge
  • Notepad++
  • Nvivo
  • Origin
  • OxMetrics
  • Panoply
  • PS Power
  • PuTTY
  • PyMol
  • QGIS Desktop
  • R
  • Read & Write
  • Reaper
  • Refinitive Workspace
  • RStudio
  • Rtools
  • Sibelius
  • SigmaPlot
  • Snapgene viewer
  • SPSS Amos Graphics
  • SPSS Statistics
  • Staden Package
  • StataMP
  • Texmaker
  • TeXworks
  • Tinn-R
  • Visual Studio Code
  • Vu-Bar
  • WinEdt
  • WinSCP
  • WITNESS Horizon
  • X2Go
  • Zotero

Business applications (only available to staff)

  • Active Directory Users & Computers
  • Agresso
  • Agresso Report Engine
  • Microsoft Excel
  • HYMS Student Support (specific users only)
  • Kinetics
  • Sage
  • SITS

Access instructions

Contact for support

If you're experiencing technical issues and need advice, please contact IT Services.

Service commitments

The following policies apply to all IT services provided by the University.

Availability

Support

  • This service is managed by IT Services.
  • We are responsible for monitoring, identifying and fixing faults.
  • Support is available during our opening hours.

Standards

  • Our service performance and standards have been produced in consultation with our customers, and we monitor the delivery, performance and availability of facilities and services.

We appreciate feedback as it helps us review and continually improve our service.

Page last reviewed: 9 September 2024