Network: Virtual Desktop for Macs running Windows applications

Warning: When on campus, you must use the DePauwSecure wireless connection to install and use the virtual desktop client.

  1. Browse to http://desktops.depauw.edu
  2. Click Install VMware Horizon Client
  3. In the next window, scroll down to the VMware Horizon Client for Mac, and then click Go to Downloads
  4. In the next window, click Download
  5. After the VMware Horizon View Client . . .dmg downloads to your Downloads folder, double-click on it
  6. In the license agreement window, click Agree after reading or printing the agreement
  7. If the VMware Horizon View Client icon displays, double-click on it. If it does not display, it opened automatically.             
    Image of VMWare Horizon View Client icon
  8. Drag the VMware Horizon Client.app to the Applications folder
  9. Browse to the Applications folder, double-click VMware Horizon View Client.app (Note: You may also want to drag the application icon onto your dock.)
  10. If the message “VMware Horizon Client.app is an application downloaded from the Internet. Are you sure you want to open it?” displays, click Open
  11. If the window Start remote desktop USB and Printing services” displays, click Continue, and then enter the username and password you use to login to your computer
    Image of Remote Desktop USB and Printing Services Query
  12. If a window to add the connection server does not open in the VMware Horizon Client window, click + (i.e., Plus), which is found in the upper left corner
  13. In the Add Connection Server window, for Server name type in “desktops.depauw.edu” (without the quotes), and then click Continue (Warning: Make sure the checkbox next to Always Connect at Launch is unchecked or you may have problems later on trying to login.)
    Virtual Desktop Mac Connection Server
  14. Log in with your DePauw Account (i.e. e-Services) username and password
    VMWare Login
  15.  Start the desktop by clicking on the image of a computer monitor (Note: You may first need to click on the desktops.depauw.edu icon in the VMware Horizon Client window and login.)
    VMWare Connect
  16. Windows will open (NOTE: Be Patient! It may take several seconds (or as even as long as 2-3 minutes) for the desktop to load. Once it is loaded and you see a Windows Desktop, it will run much faster and you can use Chrome to access Google, e-Services, Moodle, and other online resources. You can also run other applications available in the system (e.g., Word, PowerPoint, etc.).
  17. Important: You should save your work on a flash drive, University network drive, or in the Cloud; otherwise, all work saved to the desktop will be erased upon reboot.
    Image of Warning to Not Save on Flash or Cloud
  18. Either go to the task bar and click on the icon of the program you would like to use or click Start to open the All Programs window for a list of other options. When you are finished using the virtual desktop, click Start → Log off.
    Image of VMware Program Access
  19. Due to a limited number of seats for accessing the virtual desktop, please log off if you will not be using the application after 15-30 minutes.
  20. When you want to use the program, repeat step #9 above to log in.

Updated: 3/5/2021