A Virtual Desktop is a computer that exists in the cloud, which you access remotely. It works like a desktop or laptop computer except there is no physical hardware. Instead, the virtual desktop is made available “virtually” in Madison College’s datacenter; which you can access anytime, from almost any device, from anywhere with reliable Internet access.
Connect to a virtual desktop on your own device
Choose the Omnissa Horizon Client or the HTML option
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Omnissa Horizon Client (formerly VMware Horizon Client)
Choose "Install Omnissa Horizon Client". Server = mydesktop.madisoncollege.edu
- Install on your device to access a virtual desktop
- College-loaned laptops will already have the Horizon Client installed
- Best user experience with all features
- Works with most operating systems and many mobile devices
- USB drives can be connected
Server = mydesktop.madisoncollege.edu
- Quick and easy access
- Displays right in your browser
- Use this when you can't add the Client app (ex. someone else's computer...)
Install the Omnissa Horizon Client: Windows Computers
You must have the proper permissions (admin access) to install applications on your computer
- Using Firefox or Chrome, go to https://mydesktop.madisoncollege.edu
- Select Install Omnissa Horizon Client
- After the Omnissa... .exe file finishes downloading, click the downloaded file to begin installation
- If you are asked if you want to allow the app to make changes to your device, choose Yes
- When the splash screen appears, click Customize Installation
- Uncheck the "Log in as current user" checkbox
- In the Default connection server field, type mydesktop.madisoncollege.edu
- Select Agree & Install
- Click Launch
- Option: Hide the selector after launching an item (3 dot menu icon)
- Option: Autoconnect to this server (right-click the server cloud icon)
Use a virtual desktop: Windows
- Double-click the Omnissa Horizon Client icon on the desktop or Start Menu
- Click the box that says mydesktop.madisoncollege.edu. If you need to add a server, type mydesktop.madisoncollege.edu as the Connection Server Name
- Log in with your college username (do not add @madisoncollege.edu) and password
Off-Campus - You will be prompted to use Multi-Factor Authentication.
- You should be connected to your virtual desktop
Sign Out / Log Off and Disconnect
- When you’re finished, and you sign out / log off and disconnect from the virtual desktop, you will be returned to your computer’s normal desktop.
- Save to a USB drive, your H: drive or other cloud storage (ex. OneDrive).
- Don't save anything to the desktop or to local storage (ex.C drive) of the virtual desktop! It is likely to be deleted when you sign out.
USB Devices (i.e. USB drives, headsets, etc.)
- Plug the device into one of the computer’s USB ports
- Click to Connect the USB Device using the Toolbar options
- It may take a minute or two for Windows to recognize the USB Device before it can be used. If your device does not appear in the menu, or you see an error message, try plugging into a different port
- To disconnect USB Devices, use the USB link in the Toolbar.
You can connect to a Windows virtual desktop using your mac
Install the Omnissa Horizon Client: Mac Computers
You must have proper permissions to install apps on your mac (your mac admin username/password)
- Using Firefox or Chrome, go to https://mydesktop.madisoncollege.edu
- Click on Install Omnissa Horizon Client and choose the correct download for macOS.
- After the Omnissa-Horizon... .dmg file finishes downloading, click the downloaded file to begin the installation
- In the Omnissa Horizon Client window that appears, double-click Omnissa Horizon Client.pkg to start the installer
- Click through the installer and enter your mac admin username and password when prompted
- You should receive an indication that the installation was successful
Use a virtual desktop: MAC
- Select the Omnissa Horizon Client icon - or open from your Applications folder. Tip: drag it to your dock for easy access
- If prompted for the connection server enter mydesktop.madisoncollege.edu
- Proceed to log in with your Madison College username and password
Off-Campus - you will be prompted for multi-factor authentication. If you try to connect to a virtual desktop off-campus without successfully completing multi-factor authentication you will receive an "Access Denied" error message.
- A Windows desktop should appear
Sign Out / Log Off and Disconnect
- When you’re finished, and you sign out / log off and disconnect from the virtual desktop, you will be returned to your computer’s normal desktop.
- Save to a USB drive, your H: drive or other cloud storage (ex. OneDrive).
- Don't save anything to the desktop or to local storage (ex.C drive) of the virtual desktop! Everything on the virtual desktop is deleted when you sign out.
USB Devices (i.e. USB drives, headsets, etc.)
Note: Virtual desktops run Windows, so USB devices must be formatted for Windows in order to work properly. Mac-formatted USB devices will not work on College virtual desktops.
- Plug the device into one of the computer’s USB ports.
- To connect your device to the Virtual Desktop, click on the USB symbol icon in the Toolbar.
- Click on the name of your device in the menu.
- It may take a minute or two for Windows to recognize and install the USB Device before it can be used.
- Disconnect your USB Devices by using the Toolbar.
MAC Keyboard layouts and functions - differ between MAC and Windows.
Install the VMware Horizon Client: Android
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Google Play Store - Omnissa Horizon Client
Download and install (or upgrade) the free Omnissa Horizon Client for Android from the Google Play Store.
Use a virtual desktop: Android
- Open the Horizon app on your device
- Accept these options, if prompted: Allow Horizon to make and manage phone calls. Allow Horizon to access photos, media and files on your device
- Server Name or Address: enter mydesktop.madisoncollege.edu, and tap Connect
- Log in with your Madison College username and password, then tap Connect
- After selecting the correct desktop, you should be connected to the virtual desktop
Off-Campus - You will be prompted to use Multi-Factor Authentication.
Use the menu options across the top and the tab on the left to access options
- Help
- Settings
- Full screen
- Disconnect
- Navigation Keys
- Virtual Touchpad - Toggles setting to move mouse cursor by sliding your finger
- Keyboard - Show or hide the onscreen keyboard
- Application menu
Log Off
When you’re finished, and you disconnect from the virtual desktop, you will be returned to your Android's normal screen
Save your Work
- Don't save anything to the desktop or to local storage (ex.C drive) of the virtual desktop
- Most desktops are non-persistent, meaning that when you log off, everything on the virtual desktop is discarded
- Save to cloud or network storage such as your College OneDrive or H drive
Android Considerations
- USB Devices – not supported on Android devices. To access working documents from a virtual desktop, copy them to network or cloud storage
- Printing – not supported
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Using the Unity Touch Sidebar with a Remote Desktopopen files and applications, switch between running applications, and minimize, maximize, restore, or close windows and applications.
Install the VMware Horizon Client: Chrome Devices
- Log in to the Chrome device
- Download and install VMware Horizon Client for Chrome from the Chrome Web Store
- Server Name or Address: enter mydesktop.madisoncollege.edu
- Log in with your College username and password
Note: If you get a certificate invalid prompt and have an older VMware Horizon Client for Chrome App, uninstall the older client and find the current one in the Chrome Web Store.
Off-Campus - use Multi-Factor Authentication. If you try to connect to a virtual desktop off-campus before activating your MFA Account, you will receive an "Access Denied" error message.
Sign Out / Log Off and Disconnect
- When you’re finished, and you sign out / log off and disconnect from the virtual desktop, you will be returned to your computer’s normal desktop
- Save to a USB drive, your H: drive or other cloud storage (ex. OneDrive)
- Don't save anything to the desktop or to local storage (ex.C drive) of the virtual desktop! Everything on the virtual desktop is deleted when you sign out
USB Devices (i.e. USB drives, headsets, etc.)
- Plug the device into one of the computer’s USB ports
- Click to Connect the USB Device using the Toolbar options
- It may take a minute or two for Windows to recognize the USB Device before it can be used. If your device does not appear in the menu, or you see an error message, try plugging into a different port
- To disconnect USB Devices, use the USB link in the Toolbar
Install the VMware Horizon Client: iOS
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App Store - Omnissa Horizon Client
Download and install (or upgrade) the free Omnissa Horizon Client for iOS from the App Store
Use a virtual desktop: iOS / iPhone
- After installing the app, open Omnissa Horizon Client icon on your iOS device
- Enter mydesktop.madisoncollege.edu as the Server Address, then select Connect
- Select the cloud icon with mydesktop.madisoncollege.edu beneath it
- Log in with your College username and password
- Choose Login. Off-Campus - You will be prompted to use Multi-Factor Authentication.
- You should be connected to your virtual desktop
Radial Menu - Tools
- Settings/Options
- Virtual Touchpad
- Keyboard
- Navigation Keys
- Disconnect
- Help
Log Off
When you’re finished, disconnect / log off from the Virtual Desktop
Save your work
- Don't save anything to the desktop or to local storage (ex.C drive) of the virtual desktop
- Most desktops are non-persistent, meaning that when you log off, everything on the virtual desktop is discarded
- Save to your H drive or other cloud or network storage
IOS Considerations
- USB Devices - not supported. To access working documents from a virtual desktop, copy them to network or cloud storage like OneDrive or your H drive
- Printing - not supported
- Shift Key – The Shift key in the top row of the onscreen keyboard or in the navigation keyboard is for entering key combinations, such as Ctrl+Shift. If you need to capitalize a letter or generate keyboard symbols, use the Up Arrow in the standard onscreen keyboard as you normally would