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Virtual Computer Labs

Get access to Windows desktops and apps from any device and location.

Connect to virtual labs with Windows App

Windows App is now available for Windows, macOS, iOS, iPadOS, and web browsers. If you have an Android or Chrome OS device, see how to connect to virtual labs with the Microsoft Remote Desktop app.

Windows

  1. Download and install Windows App from the Microsoft Store.
  2. Open Windows App and select Sign in.
  3. Sign in with your Drexel email address and password, and verify your sign-in with multifactor authentication. If you're signed in on a Drexel-managed PC with your Drexel account, you're signed in automatically.
  4. If it's your first time using Windows App, navigate through the tour to learn more or select Skip.
  5. After you sign in, select the Devices tab to show the list of available virtual desktops you have access to. Tabs are hidden if you don't have that type of resource assigned to you.
  6. Find the virtual desktop you want to connect to. You can use the search box and filters to help you.
  7. Select Connect on a virtual desktop, and sign in with your Drexel account.
  8. Once the connection to your virtual desktop is complete, you're ready to start using it.

macOS

  1. Download and install Windows App from the Mac App Store.
  2. Open Windows App. If it's your first time using Windows App, navigate through the tour to learn more or select Skip.
  3. Windows App opens on the Devices tab. Select the plus (+) icon, and then select Add Work or School Account.
  4. Sign in with your Drexel email address and password, and verify your sign-in with multifactor authentication.
  5. After you sign in, the Devices tab shows the list of available virtual desktops you have access to.
  6. Find the virtual desktop you want to connect to. You can use the search box to help you.
  7. Double-click the virtual desktop, and sign in with your Drexel account.
  8. Once the connection to your virtual desktop is complete, you're ready to start using it.

iOS/iPadOS

  1. Download and install Windows App from the App Store.
  2. Open Windows App. You might be prompted to allow Windows App to use bluetooth and connect to devices on your local network. Select Allow for both of these prompts if you want to use bluetooth devices and connect to local PCs on your network. If you don't want to allow access to these, select Don't Allow for both of these prompts.
  3. If it's your first time using Windows App, navigate through the tour to learn more or select Skip.
  4. If it's your first time using Windows App, you're automatically prompted to add a new connection. Alternatively, tap the plus (+) icon from any of the tabs to add a new connection.
  5. Tap Work or School Account
  6. Sign in with your Drexel email address and password, and verify your sign-in with multifactor authentication.
  7. After you sign in, the Devices tab shows the list of available virtual desktops you have access to.
  8. Find the virtual desktop you want to connect to. You can use the search box to help you.
  9. Tap the virtual desktop, and sign in with your Drexel account.
  10. Once the connection to your virtual desktop is complete, you're ready to start using it.

Web browser

  1. Open your web browser and go to windows.cloud.microsoft.
  2. Sign in with your Drexel email address and password, and verify your sign-in with multifactor authentication.
  3. If it's your first time using Windows App, navigate through the tour to learn more or select Skip.
  4. After you sign in, select the Devices tab to show the list of available virtual desktops you have access to. Tabs are hidden if you don't have that type of resource assigned to you.
  5. Find the virtual desktop you want to connect to. You can use the search box and filters to help you.
  6. Select Connect on a virtual desktop. A new tab or browser window opens for that virtual desktop.
  7. A prompt for In Session Settings asks you to confirm which local devices or features to use in the remote session. Make your selection, then select Connect. If you don't want to see this prompt each time you connect, select Don't show again.
  8. Once the connection to your virtual desktop is complete, you're ready to start using it.

Connect to virtual labs with the Microsoft Remote Desktop app

Windows App on Android and Chrome OS is currently in preview. In the meantime, we recommend you use Microsoft Remote Desktop to connect to our virtual labs from an Android or Chrome OS device.

  1. Download and install the Microsoft Remote Desktop app for your Android or ChromeOS device from Google Play.
  2. Open Microsoft Remote Desktop, and then select + Add > Add Workspace.
  3. Enter your Drexel email address, it looks like abc123@drexel.edu, and then select Next.
  4. Sign in with your Drexel email address and password, and verify your sign-in with multifactor authentication.
  5. After you've signed in, a list shows the available virtual desktops you have access to. Select the virtual desktop you want to use, and sign in with your Drexel account.
  6. Once the connection to your virtual desktop is complete, you're ready to start using it.

Sync files with OneDrive

For the best experience, we recommend you sync files between your computer and your virtual desktop with OneDrive.

  1. Select Start  > OneDrive.
  2. When OneDrive Setup starts, enter your Drexel email address, and select Sign in. Verify your sign-in with multifactor authentication.
  3. On the Your OneDrive folder screen, select Next to accept the default folder location for your OneDrive files.
  4. On the Back up folders on the PC screen, select Start backup. Your Desktop, Documents, and Pictures folders will back up to OneDrive and be available across all your devices and the web.
  5. When your files finish syncing to OneDrive, close the Your OneDrive is ready for you screen.

Your OneDrive files will appear in File Explorer in the OneDrive ‐ Drexel University folder.

Session time limits

To ensure resource availability for as many students as possible, the following time limits are applied:

Connection status Class labs time limit Beta/testing labs time limit
Active No limit No limit
Idle Disconnect after 15 minutes Disconnect after 1 hour
Disconnected Log off after 1 hour Log off after 3 hour

Help and support

If you have questions or need help with Virtual Computer Labs, contact artech@drexel.edu.