Some students may be granted rights to a remote desktop service. This will provide access to either a generic desktop or to connect directly to a specialist lab PC, which will allow them access to specific applications related to their course.

The studentdesktop service is available to:

Students enrolled on programmes of study which require access to software titles as part of their course curriculum, and is permitted under licencing agreements to be provided via a virtualised environment.

Accessing the generic studentdesktop service

The studentdesktop.gre.ac.uk platform provides access to a remote (or virtual) desktop session. This can be accessed via the recommended client (available for Windows, MacOS, Android and iOS) or directly from a browser.  The virtual desktop provided via the client, or browser, has its own start menu and other features of a normal university Managed Desktop environment, including most of the software you would find on desktop PCs on campus.  You can access your G: drive and any shared areas that are connected from your workplace computer. You can open and save files from these drives as you would in a computing lab.

To connect to the generic student desktop service, you will need to have been granted access:

Please follow the instructions below (for Direct Access) for your Operating System, and look out for an icon for a student desktop rather than a specific lab once logged into VMware.

Example of generic student desktop icon

Remember to logout and end your remote session when you have finished!

About the Direct Access studentdesktop service

Designated students will have remote access to either a specific PC or a pool of PC's located in specialist Teaching Labs.  This service is described as Direct Access.

These sessions will be hosted by the student's tutor who will be physically present in the specialist lab along with a select number of students.  Other students, within the same group, will be able to join the session from home/remotely by accessing a Direct Access PC in the same lab.

  • Direct Access PC's operates on a first come first served basis.
  • Students should stay in contact with their tutors and inform them of an intention to use a Direct Access PC for a given class.
  • When a class finishes, students should logoff their Direct Access PC, so it is available for any following classes to use, just as if the student were physically present in the lab.
  • In order to facilitate a smooth transition to the next class, Direct Access sessions may be automatically ended without notice outside allocated times.

How to connect to the Direct Access studentdesktop service

Listed below are a set of videos and step-by-steps, created to help guide you through the download (where applicable) and installation of the remote desktop client software (VMware) onto various different operating systems and the final video showing how the interface may appear, especially if you are using a small screen iOS or Android device.

Windows

Windows PC or Laptop / Tablet

The video below demonstrate how to download, install and configure the remote desktop client software (VMware) on the Windows Operating systems

Step-by-Step

  • To install the client on your Windows device, go to studentdesktop.gre.ac.uk
  • Click on Install VMware Horizon Client
  • Find the client for Windows and select Go to Downloads
  • Select Download Now
  • The client software will be downloaded to your computer
  • Once it has finished downloading, run the installer
  • Read the terms and conditions and, press Agree & Install
  • Click Finish
  • Your computer will need to reboot. When appropriate, click Restart Now
  • Once your computer has rebooted and you have logged back in,
  • From the Start menu, select VMware Horizon Client
  • Initially it will appear at the top of the menu, in the Recently added section
  • Click on Add Server and enter studentdesktop.gre.ac.uk into the popup window before clicking Connect
  • Read the disclaimer and press Accept
  • Enter your username followed by @gre.ac.uk and your password
  • Select Login
  • Select your faculty / computer lab from the list of options

Once you have finished

  • Logout of the PC as you would if you were in the lab
  • Logout of the studentdesktop (VMware) Windows client

MacOS

Large screen Mac computers or laptops

The video below demonstrate how to download, install and configure the remote desktop client software (VMware) on the Mac Operating systems

Step-by-Step

  • To install the client on your Mac, go to studentdesktop.gre.ac.uk
  • Click on Install VMware Horizon Client
  • Find the client for Mac and select Go to Downloads
  • Select Download
  • The client software will be downloaded to your computer
  • Run the installer, once it has downloaded
  • Read the terms and conditions and, select Agree
  • The Horizon client installer will open
  • Drag the VMware Horizon Client icon to the Applications folder shortcut
  • You can now close the installer
  • Open the software and accept any messages
  • Enter the Connection Server name, which is studentdesktop.gre.ac.uk
  • Click Connect
  • Read and accept the disclaimer
  • Enter your username followed by @gre.ac.uk and your password
  • Select Login
  • Select your faculty / computer lab from the list of options

Once you have finished

  • Logout of the PC as you would if you were in the lab
  • Logout of the studentdesktop (VMware) Mac client

Via a browser

Secure access via most web browsers

This video demonstrates how you can access the studentdesktop service via a web browser. This method is recommended only when you do not have access to the remote desktop client software (VMware). (Some small screen devices may not work with the browser based version.)

Step-by-Step

  • Go to studentdesktop.gre.ac.uk and click on VMware Horizon HTML Access
  • Read the disclaimer and press Accept
  • Enter your university username followed by @gre.ac.uk and your password
  • Select Login
  • Select your faculty / computer lab from the list of options

Once you have finished

  • Logout of the PC as you would if you were in the lab
  • Logout of the studentdesktop web interface

Android

Small screen devices

The instructions below explain how to download, install and configure the remote desktop client software (VMware) onto devices running the Android operating systems

Step-by-Step

  • To install the client on your Android device, open the Google Play Store and search for VMware Horizon Client
  • Select install and wait for it to download
  • Open the app and agree to any permissions requested
  • Enter the server name, which is studentdesktop.gre.ac.uk
  • You can also add a description
  • Press Connect
  • Read and accept the terms and conditions
  • Enter your username followed by @gre.ac.uk and your password
  • Select Done
  • Select your faculty / computer lab from the list of options

Once you have finished

  • Logout of the PC as you would if you were in the lab
  • Logout of the studentdesktop (VMware) Android client

iOS

Small screen devices

The instructions below explain how to download, install and configure the remote desktop client software (VMware) onto devices running the iOS operating systems

Step-by-Step

  • To install the client on your iOS device, open the App Store and search for "VMware Horizon Client"
  • Select and install the client
  • Open the app and agree to any permissions requested
  • Enter the server name, which is studentdesktop.gre.ac.uk
  • You can also add a description
  • Press Connect
  • Read and accept the terms and conditions
  • Enter your username followed by @gre.ac.uk and your password
  • Select Login
  • Select your faculty / computer lab from the list of options

Once you have finished

  • Logout of the PC as you would if you were in the lab
  • Logout of the studentdesktop (VMware) iOS client

Support

Support will be available during when the Specialists Labs are open (generally, 9.00 am to 5.00 pm).  Outside of these hours, support can only be provided on a best-efforts basis.

Support for Direct Access computing will be provided by Microsoft Teams

Please join the support Team by entering the following code: zc1zjgu

1. Select the Teams icon in your app bar, then select Join or create a team.

Join a Team with code 1

2. Go to Join a team with a code, paste the code in the box, and select Join.

Join a Team with a code - enter the code

Rules and Regulations

Regulations: Before connecting to the network, you should familiarise yourself with the regulations for computing use at the University of Greenwich. You are reminded that when using the University of Greenwich computing facilities you are bound by the Regulations for the Use of Computing Facilities at the University of Greenwich. While using the service you are also bound to the JANET Acceptable Use Policy.

Please refer to our full list of policies.

Be sure to save your work regularly, and to log off when you have finish working.

If you have any questions, comments or concerns regarding the process outlined above, please contact the IT Service Desk (itservicedesk@gre.ac.uk) via email with a subject title of "Remote Desktop for students".

Additional security when off campus via MFA

When off-campus, when connecting to the studentdesktop.gre.ac.uk platform, you will be required to enter your usual university credentials and an additional code or approval via the university Multi-Factor Authentication system.

Please ensure that your have your MFA approval method configured and readily available before logging into studentdesktop.gre.ac.uk. MFA is time sensitive and each code or approval lasts for only 30 seconds.

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