# Create a virtual desktop (Linux/Windows)

To access the Virtual Desktop section, click "**Virtual Desktops**" on the left sidebar:

<figure><img src="https://4178558898-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2Ff38qThSa0Aa40txosxbS%2Fuploads%2Frwa2ZgvZSqJPlB3oA6Xx%2Fmods_vdi_user_create_menu.webp?alt=media&#x26;token=01bd0cfa-2592-4907-bff0-d3550b7c2dca" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

To launch your virtual desktop click "**Launch new Virtual Desktop"** button. You will be prompted with a new modal asking you a couple of questions:

* **Session Name**: A name for your desktop
* **Project**: The project your session will get created. Refer to "Projects Management" section under [cluster-manager](https://docs.idea-hpc.com/modules/cluster-manager "mention") to learn more about projects.
* **Operating System**: The operating system you want to use from:
  * **Linux**:
    * Amazon Linux 2
    * Amazon Linux 2023
    * Red Hat Enterprise Linux 8
    * Red Hat Enterprise Linux 9
    * Rocky Linux 8
    * Rocky Linux 9
    * Ubuntu 22.04
    * Ubuntu 24.04
  * **Windows**:
    * Windows Server 2019
    * Windows Server 2022
    * Windows Server 2025
* **Software Stack**: A software stack is an EC2 AMI with pre-installed and pre-configured applications defined by your cluster administrator. Refer to [virtual-desktop-images-software-stacks](https://docs.idea-hpc.com/modules/virtual-desktop-interfaces/admin-documentation/virtual-desktop-images-software-stacks "mention") to learn how to create custom software stack for your team.
* **Hibernation**: Select whether or not you want to enable hibernation for your session. You must be verify if your EC2 instance supports hibernation first
* **Virtual Desktop Size:** Instance type to provision. Select of EC2 instance types is based on the list of instances safe-listed by your cluster administrator and the project selected. You can change this value later without having to re-create a new desktop (see [modify-a-virtual-desktop](https://docs.idea-hpc.com/modules/virtual-desktop-interfaces/user-documentation/modify-a-virtual-desktop "mention"))
* **Storage Size**: Size of the main EBS partition
* **Advanced Options**: Advanced option such as enforcing a subnet ID or choose the DCV sessions type

<figure><img src="https://4178558898-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2Ff38qThSa0Aa40txosxbS%2Fuploads%2FdKxaCk8zpEg3oKUUVax4%2Fmods_vdi_user_create_launch.webp?alt=media&#x26;token=8b71d58c-a72e-49a7-b54d-4819937757a4" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

{% hint style="info" %}
The Create Session form has been improved to dynamically show only the options you have permission to use based on your project membership and administrator-defined settings. This makes it easier to select compatible options without encountering permission errors.
{% endhint %}

Click "**Submit**" button to launch your virtual desktop creation. You will instantly see a new card with your desktop information. Your virtual desktop will be ready within 10-15 minutes. Startup time is based on the image selected, the operating system as well as the instance type.

<figure><img src="https://4178558898-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2Ff38qThSa0Aa40txosxbS%2Fuploads%2FFTYx6Opmo9vgXjNXGiYg%2Fmods_vdi_user_create_starting.webp?alt=media&#x26;token=b9644f3b-c9cb-44d9-b296-84ed2c412a0c" alt=""><figcaption><p>Desktop being started</p></figcaption></figure>

Wait a couple of minutes until your desktop is ready.

{% hint style="success" %}
IDEA automatically detects GPU instances and install the relevant drivers (NVIDIA GRID, NVIDIA Tesla, AMD) automatically
{% endhint %}

## How to access your Windows or Linux desktop

Once your virtual desktop is up and running, you can click the card and connect it either via web or DCV client.

<details>

<summary>Easiest: Access your desktop from within your web browser</summary>

Click "**Connect**" button or click the thumbnail to access your Windows or Linux desktop directly via your browser.

</details>

<details>

<summary>Best Performance: Use DCV Client</summary>

Click "**DCV Session File**" button to download your `.dcv` file. To open this file, you will need to have the DCV Client installed on your system. Click the "**?**" icon to access to the download link and installation instructions.

</details>

<figure><img src="https://4178558898-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2Ff38qThSa0Aa40txosxbS%2Fuploads%2FuMmC20liz63MOyFyroe8%2Fmods_vdi_user_create_ready.webp?alt=media&#x26;token=8911fd4a-2983-435a-89d3-e1ede47d2971" alt=""><figcaption><p>Virtual Desktop ready to be used</p></figcaption></figure>

## Retrieve Session Information

Click **Actions** then **Show Infos** to retrieve your session information such as instance type, subnet id, operating system etc ...

<figure><img src="https://4178558898-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2Ff38qThSa0Aa40txosxbS%2Fuploads%2Fw0H271siKeRemdCtmegj%2Fmods_vdi_user_create_info.webp?alt=media&#x26;token=3976ce87-6621-43d9-ad6e-8fab88544c56" alt=""><figcaption><p>Get detailed information about your virtual desktop</p></figcaption></figure>


---

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