Connect to a VM using Remote Desktop Protocol on a Chromebook

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Important

Azure Lab Services will be retired on June 28, 2027. For more information, see the retirement guide.

In this article, you learn how to connect to a lab virtual machine (VM) in Azure Lab Services from a Chromebook by using Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP).

Install Microsoft Remote Desktop on a Chromebook

To connect to the lab VM by using RDP, use the Microsoft Remote Desktop app.

To install the Microsoft Remote Desktop app:

  1. In the Google Play store, open the Microsoft Remote Desktop page, or search for Microsoft Remote Desktop.

    Screenshot of the Microsoft Remote Desktop app in the app store.

  2. Verify that the app is available for your device.

    Screenshot of the Microsoft Remote Desktop app in the app store with the app availability message highlighted.

  3. Select Install to install the app. If prompted, select the device on which to install the app.

    Screenshot of the Microsoft Remote Desktop app select device dialog.

Access the VM from your Chromebook using RDP

Connect to the lab VM by using the remote desktop application. You can retrieve the connection information for the lab VM from the Azure Lab Services website.

  1. Navigate to the Azure Lab Services website, and sign in with your credentials.

  2. On the tile for your VM, ensure the VM is running and select the Connect icon.

    Screenshot of My virtual machines page for Azure Lab Services with the connect icon button on the VM tile highlighted.

  3. When you connect to a Linux VM, you see two options to connect to the VM: SSH and RDP. Select the Connect via RDP option. If you're connecting to a Windows VM, you don't need to choose a connection option. The RDP file downloads.

    Screenshot that shows VM tile for student with the RDP and SSH connection options highlighted.

  4. Open the RDP file on your computer with Microsoft Remote Desktop installed. It should start connecting to the VM.

    Screenshot of the Microsoft Remote Desktop app connecting to VM.

  5. When prompted, enter your user name and password.

    Screenshot that shows the sign-in screen where you enter your username and password.

  6. If you receive a certificate warning, you can select Continue.

    Screenshot that shows certificate warning when connecting to lab VM.

  7. After the connection is established, you see the desktop of your lab VM.

Note

The Microsoft Remote Desktop app is the recommended client for connecting to Azure Lab Services VMs. While you can connect to a lab VM from a Chromebook using RDP clients like Chrome Remote Desktop, third-party apps often need software installation and configuration on the VM. Coordinate with your lab administrator to confirm third-party app usage is permitted.

For more information about Microsoft Remote Desktop app, see:

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