VMWare VDI Setup
VMware VDI Setup
West Valley - Mission Network
General Information
Before you begin: You cannot access the Remote Desktop without first setting up Multi-Factor Authentication. Please click *HERE* if you have not already set up your MFA.
Think of using VMware as remotely logging on to a secure PC that’s located on campus—it has access to campus network resources that your home computer/laptop doesn’t (shared drives, Banner/INB, BDM, Argos).
It’s not logging on to your office computer directly. You won’t have access to files/folders located only on your office computer. (Files/folders should be uploaded to OneDrive for cloud accessibility.)
Getting Started
1. Click “Install VMware Horizon Client”
*If you have issues downloading VMware or installing it, select “HTML Access” on this screen and skip down to "HTML Access Instructions" in this guide.
2. If you’ve elected to install the client software, find your operating system (this will generally be either Windows or Mac), click Go to Downloads, and proceed to download and install the software.
3. Once the installation finishes, you should see a VMware icon on your desktop. Double-click it to run the program.
4. You may be greeted with a screen that only has a button to add a new server.
Double click this button, and in the box that pops up labelled "Name of the Connection Server," put mycomputer.wvm.edu (the same link that you downloaded VMware from).
5. Once your server has been added, or if it was already on by default, you can double click it to log in.
When you enter your credentials and press Login, you may get an MFA notification on your phone that you will need to tap Approve on. If VMware is taking longer than usual to finish logging you in, check your phone.
6. If your credentials are accepted, you’ll see My Desktop (2D) available as a button. Double-click it to launch your Windows session.
You’ll see your Windows session booting up. If you need to get back to your computer, place your mouse over the very top of the screen right at the middle to bring down the white bar. You can go out of fullscreen or press the X to exit your VMware desktop at any time.
Once it finishes loading, you'll be greeted with a Windows desktop where you can do your work. This desktop is securely connected to our internal network and can access all sorts of things that are usually only accessible on-campus, such as Banner.
HTML Access Instructions
If you were unable to install VMware, you can select HTML access instead at https://mycomputer.wvm.edu. This has notably not worked for some users and can be slower than the installable version, so if you have the choice, you should use the installable version.
1. Enter your credentials at the login screen, and check your phone after you press Login in case it sends you an MFA notification.
2. If your credentials are accepted, you’ll see My Desktop (2D); double-click the icon to launch your Windows session.
You’ll see your Windows session booting up. After a short time you’ll arrive at your VDI Windows 10 desktop.
FAQ
Why does VMware say I don't have access when I try to log in?
VMware access is granted by the IS department. If you were never granted access, you won't be able to use it by default. Please put in a ticket if you need to request access.
VMware lets me log in, but then gets stuck on the Connecting screen and eventually fails. Why?
You are probably getting an MFA notification on your phone during the Connecting screen. Go to your Authenticator app and tap Approve, then VMware will proceed to the next screen.
I know I have access and I know my MFA is set up right, but VMware still won't work. Why?
The most common cause of this issue is that your installation of VMware is too old and requires an update. You can update through the app, or you can simply install it from the web by following this guide from the top. Installing over an existing installation works the same as updating it. If that still doesn't work, contact IS by putting in a ticket.
I saved files in my VMware desktop, but they're gone!
Most VMware desktops are temporary, meaning that after they reboot they will lose files saved to them. When working in VMware, always save your files on the cloud, either with OneDrive or a network drive. In some cases where it may be necessary to save files in VMware itself, you'll need to request special access by putting in a ticket.
Can I get to my office desktop from VMware?
This requires some additional setup by the IS department and can be done, but you'll have to put in a ticket to request remote access to your office desktop.