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Academic Technology Launchpad: Virtual Desktop

Student Technology Help Desk

Horizon iconVirtual Desktops

 Access a cloud computer, either on or off campus, from your device or ours

This may give you access to course-specific software. It may also offer a more full-featured environment to work in (ex. Chromebooks)

On- Campus College VDI Computers

Virtual Desktops in our Computer Labs

You’ll find thin client, VDI or Cloud computers in our Libraries, Student Achievement Centers, hallways, and labs. 

They look like a typical monitor, keyboard and mouse, but there is no tower or mini-PC attached.

You're connected to your virtual desktop using the Madison College network and servers. 

Easy to use:

  • Log in using your college username and password. 
  • USB devices and headphones connect on the side of the monitor. 
  • You will automatically be connected to our college printers and your PrintSmart account. 
  • Remember to Log Off /Sign Out to protect your personal information! 

vdi computer lab truax library photo

On-Campus College Desktop Computers and Laptops

On-campus computers and College-loaned laptopsOmnissa Horizon Client icon

Omnissa Horizon Client (formerly VMware Horizon Client) is already installed

Select the desktop icon to connect to the virtual desktop

Sign Out, Disconnect and Log Off

Protect your personal information

Remember to log off of the computer when you are finished

Connect to your virtual desktop on your own device

Connect to a virtual desktop on your own device

Choose the VMware Horizon Client or the HTML option

  • 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

 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

customize installation link

  • Uncheck the "Log in as current user" checkbox 
  • In the Default connection server field, type mydesktop.madisoncollege.edu
  • Select Agree & Install

Horizon customization options

  • 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

Omnissa horizon client desktop icon

  • 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

mydesktop.madisoncollege.edu cloud icon

  • 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

desktop screenshot vdi

Sign Out / Log Off and Disconnect

How do I save my work? 

  • 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)

 Install omnissa horizon client

  • 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

 Omnissa mac 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

Omnissa installer 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

Horizon client authentication prompt

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

Windows desktop

Sign Out / Log Off and Disconnect

How do I save my work? 

  • 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 

Use a virtual desktop: AndroidHorizon android login screen

  • 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
Virtual desktop 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

Install the VMware Horizon Client: Chrome Devices

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.​

vmware horizon login screen chromebook

Sign Out / Log Off and Disconnect

How do I save my work? 

  • 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

Use a virtual desktop: iOS / iPhonevmware horizon server address

  • 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 - Toolsradial menu ios

  • 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

Install the VMware Horizon Client: Kindle Fire 

Download and install the free VMware Horizon Client for Kindle Fire from the Amazon Appstore

Use a virtual desktop: Kindle Fire

  • Tap the VMware Horizon icon on your device
  • On the Server Name or Address line enter mydesktop.madisoncollege.edu and click Connect kindle fire screenshot with login box
  • Log in with your College username (do not add @madisoncollege.edu) and password
  • Tap Connect 

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.​

  • You should be connected to your virtual desktop

kindle fire screenshot of toolbar

Toolbar

The toolbar is usually at the top of the screen. If you are in Full screen mode, tap the circular icon at the right side of the screen to show the toolbar icons. You may tap on any of the following toolbar icons for different effects. 

  • Help 
  • Settings 
  • Fullscreen  
  • Disconnect
  • Navigation Keys 
  • Keyboard
  • Virtual Touchpad

Log Off

When you’re finished, log off 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.

Kindle Fire Considerations

  • USB devices and Printing - not supported on Kindle Fire devices. 

Virtual Desktops on your computer

Off-Campus or On-Campus: your Virtual Desktop 

caution image

Virtual Desktops Maintenance: Nightly rolling outage window 1:00 am - 5:00 am & Monthly outage window every third Saturday 5pm - 2am