AppsAnywhere

Software on-campus and at home.

AppsAnywhere logo

AppsAnywhere is an app store-style platform that gives you access to the software you need for your studies.

Available on all campus computers and any Windows PC on or off campus.

AppsAnywhere does not currently support Chromebooks, Windows 10 and Windows 11 in S mode, mobile or tablet devices.

Getting started

  1. Open AppsAnywhere by going to https://appsanywhere.uwe.ac.uk
  2. Log in using your UWE Bristol email and password.
    • Using your own device - you may be prompted to install the 'AppsAnywhere Client'. This is needed to launch the applications.
  3. Use the search bar to find the software you need - click the app icon to see a description and availability information.
    • Some software won't be available until you have a UWE VPN connection, which you will also need each time you access that software.
    • Some specialist software may take longer to download when launching for the first time. Depending on your network connection, you may find it faster to do this on-campus whilst connected to eduroam.

Further guidance for Windows and Mac users can be found below.

AppsAnywhere FAQs

Here are some of the common questions we get asked about AppsAnywhere from other students.

User FAQs

Using a VPN

Some software is only licenced for use on campus computers.
If you're using your own device on or off campus, or a UWE Bristol device off-campus, you'll need to use a specific UWE VPN (virtual private network) connection to obtain a license for these packages.

Please note: other VPNs won't work with AppsAnywhere.

A VPN extends a private network (in this case UWE Bristol) across a public network (your broadband or other internet connection). It allows your computer or laptop to communicate securely with licence servers on the UWE Bristol network.

Starting a UWE VPN connection

When you first launch an app in AppsAnywhere that required a VPN connection, you will be prompted to install UWE VPN. Alternatively, you can create a UWE VPN connection first using the steps below:

  1. Open AppsAnywhere by going to https://appsanywhere.uwe.ac.uk/ and log in using your UWE Bristol email and password
  2. Search VPN in the search apps bar
  3. Select *UWE VPN*
  4. Click Download
  5. Follow the instructions in the Setup Wizard window:
    Screenshot of the 'Setup Wizard' window
  6. Once the setup is complete, open Ivanti Secure Access Client and click the + button to add a new connection:
    Screenshot of the 'Ivanti Secure Access Client' window
  7. In the 'Add Connections' window, enter the following details:
    Name: AppsAnywhere
    Server URL: xa.uwe.ac.uk/licence (must be lowercase)
    Screenshot of the 'Add Connections' window
  8. Click Connect - you may need to authenticate your connection using MFA.
  9. In the 'Connect to: AppsAnywhere' window, enter your UWE Bristol password as the secondary password, then click Connect:
    Screenshot of the 'Connect to: AppsAnywhere' window
  10. Once you are connected you can launch the required software from AppsAnywhere.

Connection time limit

UWE VPN connections last for two days and you'll receive a warning notification three hours before the session is due to end.

If you require more time, you will need to reopen Ivanti Secure Access Client, login, connect and go through the authentication process again.

Software requiring a VPN connection

In AppsAnywhere, you will see Campus PC or UWE VPN required under or next to the title of the software.

Please note: some software will not be available in AppsAnywhere until you have a UWE VPN connection, so make sure you have set this up first.

Software requiring a UWE VPN connection

  • Abaqus
  • Ansys
  • CLion
  • EViews
  • Keyshot
  • MATLAB
  • Minitab
  • PyCharm
  • Ricardo
  • Solidworks
  • SPSS Amos
  • STK Systems Tool Kit
  • V-Ray for Revit
  • V- Ray for Rhino
  • V-Ray for SketchUp

UWE VPN

Watch this short video on how to set up a UWE VPN for AppsAnywhere. (Please note, Pulse Secure has been rebranded to Ivanti Secure Access Client.)

Using a VPN for AppsAnywhere (PDF)

Using AppsAnywhere on Windows

From your own device, on or off campus

  1. Go to https://appsanywhere.uwe.ac.uk.
  2. Login with your UWE Bristol email address and password.
  3. You will see a pop-up asking "Is AppsAnywhere installed on your device?". If you haven't yet installed the AppsAnywhere client, click Install now.
  4. Once the download has finished, open the downloaded file and follow the steps to install AppsAnywhere client.
  5. Select Done once complete.
    Wait for validation to complete. Once complete, you will see all applications available for your course.
  6. Now you can choose from the list or use the search box to Launch an application.

From a Windows PC on campus

  1. Access the app store through a web browser at https://appsanywhere.uwe.ac.uk.
    There may also be a shortcut icon on the desktop to open AppsAnywhere.
  2. You will see a pop-up asking "Is AppsAnywhere installed on your device?". Click I have it already to validate your session.
  3. You will see a menu of applications available for your course.
  4. Choose an application from the menu, or use the search box.
  5. Select Launch. Cloudpaging Player will then stream and open your application.

Please note: launching some applications may take longer, especially when launched for the first time. Please launch any apps when you first arrive and log in, before the lesson begins.

View more information on applications

Select any application to view:

  • an overview of the application
  • system compatibility, and any license restrictions.

You can favourite your most used applications for quick access and copy a link to share the application with other users.

Uninstall an application

To uninstall an application:

  1. Open the Cloudpaging Player from the Start menu.
  2. Find the application in the list.
  3. Select Remove.

Using AppsAnywhere on a Mac

AppsAnywhere works by using a streaming technology called Cloudpaging which relies on the Windows operating system. While AppsAnywhere is primarily Windows-based, there is support for Mac users for all applications which have a Mac version.

If you have a Mac and need to use Windows-only software, you may choose to install Windows on your Mac.

Please note: some software may not be compatible with Apple's ARM processor, such as the M1 chip.

From your own device, on or off campus

  1. Go to https://appsanywhere.uwe.ac.uk.
  2. Login with your UWE Bristol email address and password.
  3. Select ‘It's my first time using AppsAnywhere on this device’, to start the installation process.
    Once complete, you will see all applications available for your course.
  4. Choose an application or use the search box.
  5. To run the software, please use the relevant guidance below.

Download – via secure download

This method is where we have provided Mac installers for certain software to provide a consistent experience to Windows users.

However, this method will mean that your Mac won't recognise UWE Bristol as the developer.

Apple provides guidance to open a Mac app from an unidentified developer and from this we have added our recommended way below.

  1. Find the software in the AppsAnywhere portal and select download.
  2. Once downloaded open the .pkg file and you will see an error message like the one below.
    Screenshot of the .pkg error message
  3. Click OK.
  4. Right/control click the .pkg file and choose Open.
  5. Choose Apple menu Apple logo > System Preferences > click Security & Privacy, then select the General tab.
  6. Another warning message will appear (this is part of Apple's inbuilt security processes). Click Open.
  7. Follow the on-screen installation steps.
  8. You can access it via the Launchpad or the Applications menu in Finder.

Launch via OSX install

  1. This method will add the app directly to your Mac.
  2. You can access it via the Launchpad or the Applications menu in Finder.

External website

  1. This will take you directly to the developers site so you can install from there. (e.g. Chrome)
  2. You may need to log in to your existing account or set one up.

Please note: launching some applications may take longer, especially when launched for the first time. Please launch any apps when you first arrive and log in, before the lesson begins.

From a Mac on campus

  1. Access the app store through a web browser at https://appsanywhere.uwe.ac.uk.
    There may also be a shortcut icon on the desktop to open AppsAnywhere.
  2. Once logged in, select Open AppsAnywhere Launcher to validate your session.
  3. You will see a menu of applications available for your course.
  4. Choose an application from the menu, or use the search box.
  5. Select to Launch your application.

Please note: launching some applications may take longer, especially when launched for the first time. Please launch any apps when you first arrive and log in, before the lesson begins.

View more information on applications

Select any application to view:

  • an overview of the application
  • system compatibility, and any license restrictions.

You can favourite your most used applications for quick access and copy a link to share the application with other users.

Uninstall an application

To uninstall an application:

  1. Go to Finder > Applications.
  2. Select your app and drag it to the Bin.

AppsAnywhere further support and feedback

Common questions asked by other students can be found in the AppsAnywhere FAQs.

For further support, please call the IT Service Desk.

Feedback on AppsAnywhere or the guidance above can be emailed to AppsAnywhere@uwe.ac.uk.

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