Overview

This document will guide you to access your DaaS desktop on both a Mac and/or a PC, using either the VMware Horizon Client or via a web browser.

This guide assumes that the VMware Horizon client has been installed on your desktop. If the client has not been installed, please consult your IT administrator.

The VMware Horizon Client can be downloaded and installed from VMware.

Once connected to your desktop, you are free to use Windows as you normally would whether it’s a PC or Mac.

You will be able to use any local printers directly attached to your machine and also access files residing on local USB drives and your network drives.

Accessing DaaS desktop with the VMware Horizon Client on Windows or Mac

1 - Locate the VMware Horizon client icon on your desktop or under Application and double click on it.

This is how the VMware Horizon client icon appears:  

2 - You will be taken to a list of the connection servers that are used to launch your desktop.  If a connection server is not already populated for you, click the New Server button and enter the name of your connection server.  Your connection server address will be unique to your organization and will be provided to your by your IT Administrator.  

For example: examplecompany.evolvedaas.com:

4 - Click Connect.

5 - Click the server to login and you will be prompted to enter your credentials.

Note: your username does not require your organization’s domain name. For example, a username is: jsmith and is not: jsmith@abcwidgetco.com.

6 - Once you enter your credentials, you will be directed to your desktop.

7 - Right-click the Horizon icon to access the Launch button or simply double click the icon to launch your desktop.

When you double click or right and select "Launch" you will be taken to your desktop. 

Logging On with HTML5/Blast (web interface) on Windows or Mac

1 - Open your preferred web browser and enter the URL the IT administrator provided to access your DaaS Desktop. Enter the credentials your IT administrator has provided for you.

2 - When logged in, Horizon will display any desktops you are mapped to. Select your desktop and you will be logged in to your desktop.

3 - To disconnect your session, close out of the browser. Your desktop will be in the exact state you left it when you log back on.

4 - To completely log, click the ellipses next to your desktop name.  You can either:

• Log Off - Logs Off and disconnects the Horizon Client. 
• Reset -  Resets the virtual machine without a graceful operating system restart.  Quits the applications without saving any unsaved data.
• Restart - Restarts the virtual machine with a graceful operating system restart.
• Close - Disconnects from the Horizon Client but does not log off.

Keyboard Limitations

Regardless of using a Mac or Windows device, some key combinations may not work when the desktop environment is accessed through HTML (web browser).   

The Windows key combination Ctrl+Alt+Del is not supported in remote desktops. To use the equivalent of pressing Ctrl+Alt+Del, select Connection > Send Ctrl-Alt-Del from the menu bar.

Alternatively, you can press Fn-Control-Option-Delete on an Apple keyboard.

Below are some key and keyboard combinations that may not work:  

• Ctrl+T
• Ctrl+Alt+Delete *You are able to send Ctrl+Alt+Del through your drop-down menu options located on your client menu bar. 

Web Ctrl+Alt+Delete location highlighted below:

• Ctrl+W
• CtrlN
• Windows Key
• Command
• Alt+Enter
• Ctrl+Alt+any key
• Caps Lock+modifier key (such as Alt or Shift)