A method to obtain a cloud-stored virtual desktop includes a set of user preferences, applications and shortcuts to files that a user desires to access. The method includes (A) transferring from a client device to a cloud broker a virtual desktop request comprising a user identification and a client device type identification; (B) passing the virtual desktop request to a cloud desktop agent responsible for maintenance of virtual desktops and virtual desktop metadata in the cloud storage system; (C) selecting by the cloud desktop agent a list of available virtual desktops for the user and the client device type based on a comparison with the virtual desktop metadata; (D) transferring the list of available virtual desktops to the cloud broker; and (E) forwarding the list of available virtual desktops from the cloud broker to the client device to enable the user to select a virtual desktop to be opened.