Below are some frequently asked questions about VDesk. To get started using vDesk, visit the vDesk Information page.
Need more help? Contact the Technology Service Desk, or Student Technology Support.
Your personal network share is automatically mapped when you launch vDesk. Simply launch File Explorer (click the
icon) and your network share will show up under “Network Locations”. Double-click to view your files.
To map an additional network share, right click on This PC and select Map Network Drive. Type the full path of the network share you are trying to connect to in the “Folder” field, then click Finish. For more details on how to map a network share, see Mapping a Network Drive (PDF).
You must be using the VMware Horizon Client in order to access files on your local computer from vDesk. If you launch File Explorer and click “This PC”, you should see an item labeled “Network Drive (Y:)” under Network Locations. This is where the items on your local hard drive are displayed on vDesk.
If that does not appear, click the VMware icon on your taskbar or dock, click the settings gear icon, click Sharing, check the box next to “Share your local files [your username]” and click OK.
You can use any browser and go to https://webmail.pugetsound.edu. You can also access Google apps including Gmail from a web browser.
To print documents from vDesk, select File and Print from your application’s menu options. In the print menu you will be able to print to your local computer’s default printer, and to lab or classroom printers in your area if you are on campus. You can choose Puget Sound Printer on Printers to print to any student printer with a fast card release device.
We recommend that you always save to your network share. Please note that it may not be the default location for saving files depending on what application you are using.
Please do not save anything to the virtual desktop or documents folder. The “Local Disk (C:)” that shows up will not save to your computer. Anything you “save” to these locations will disappear when your session ends or expires.
Open any browser in vDesk and go to http://printers.pugetsound.edu and sign in to view your PrintGreen balance or to add funds.
If you’re using the VMware Horizon Client, go into the settings and click Student/Faculty Desktops. In the Display dropdown, select Fullscreen.
To copy/paste in the HTML version, you will need to use the Clipboard feature of vDesk. To access this, click the tab on the left side of your vDesk environment, click the “clipboard” icon, and you will see a panel appear. Copy/paste from your local computer to the panel then copy/paste again from the panel to vDesk (and vice versa).
Here is a list (subject to change) of programs on vDesk for fall 2023.
- BlueJ
- Chemdraw 20
- Delta 6.0
- ImageJ
- JASP
- Logger Pro
- Logisim
- Mars (Mips)
- Mathematica
- Matlab 2022
- Microsoft Office Suite
- QGIS
- R
- R Studio
- Spartan Student
- Spectragryph 1.2
- SPSS
- VMD
- Zoom