Virtual Computer Labs

You can access the following campus-licensed software on VSU virtual Microsoft Windows computers:

• Web Browsers: Chrome, Firefox, Microsoft Edge
• Microsoft Office: Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Publisher, Access
• Adobe Acrobat Reader DC
• Notepad++
• IBM SPSS Statistics
• SAP Predictive Analytics
• SAP Logon
• SAP Lumira Discovery
• R for Windows
• jGrasp

Access to VSU Mac computers are not available.

VSU virtual computers are available on a first-come; first-served basis, Monday-Sunday, 24 hours a day:

• Each user is allotted 3 hours per log-in session.
• The virtual computer automatically restarts after 30 minutes of inactivity.
• You must restart the virtual computer when finished.
• Computers automatically restart at 3am EST each day.

 You will need the following to technologies to connect to and access VSU virtual computers:

• An internet-connected device that has a minimum 10 Mbps connection speed, a mouse and keyboard.
  
  
• Microsoft OneDrive or a similar cloud storage solution, or a location designated by your instructor. You cannot save your work directly to the remote computer.     
  
  
• Microsoft Authenticator App for Two-Factor Authentication(2FA) to securely log in using your VSU credentials.
  
  
• Citrix Workspace app to access the virtual portal to connect to VSU's remote computer.

1. Install the Citrix Workspace Agent application: https://www.citrix.com/downloads/workspace-app/ 
   
   
2. Log in to the virtual portal at https://workspace.valdosta.edu/ using your VSU Username ONLY and Password. Use the Microsoft Authenticator mobile app to verify your identity. 
   
   
3. Select a virtual lab and log in to your VSU virtual computer like normal.
   
   
4. When finished, restart the virtual computer so it will be ready for the next user. 

Read the detailed instructions below for your specific device.

Step 1. Install the Citrix Workspace Application for your device.

https://www.citrix.com/downloads/workspace-app/

Mac Users: Not sure which macOS your computer is using? Find out

Agree to the License Agreement, click Next, and then Install. Do not check to Enable App Protection. When the installation finishes, click Finish. 

Step 2. Add the VSU Workspace Account

Enter web address: https://workspace.valdosta.edu/ > click Add.
Tip: Bookmark this link for quick access!  

Enter your VSU Username only - not email address (ex: jsmith) and Password. Use the Microsoft Authenticator App to verify your login.    

Step 3. Select a lab that is running the software you need.

Click Details to view options.

If you receive the launcher pop-up, click Open Citrix Workspace Launcher. 

Important! If all the computers in the lab you are accessing are currently in use, a ‘Cannot start desktop’ notice will display. Access is limited. Please try again later.   

Step 4. Once connected, click the OK button when the blue Valdosta State University banner displays.

If it does not automatically log you in, enter your VSU username only and password as normal.   

Congrats! You can now utilize the software included within this computer lab. 

Important! You cannot save your work directly to the remote computer. You MUST save to Microsoft OneDrive or a similar cloud storage solution, or a location designated by your instructor.      

Tip: If you maximize the Remote PC window and want to return to your personal desktop, click the small black banner at the top that should expand into multiple options. On the far left, click Home.   When Finished… Restart the Remote Computer. Click the Windows Start icon > click the Power icon > select Restart.

Search for Citrix Workspace App for Chrome. Open the first link that directs you to chrome.google.com. It should take you to the Google Chrome Web Store.

 Click Add to Chrome. If you see a pop-up such as the one below, click Add app. It is now installed in your Google Chrome browser.

 2. Log on to the Remote Web Portal After the one-time installation, you will be redirected to your Google Chrome apps page.

Note: To access the apps page after the initial installation, click the Apps shortcut within the bookmarks bar at the top left of your browser window. It will be underneath the forward and back buttons.

Note: If you do not see the apps shortcut, right-click anywhere on your bookmarks bar and select Show apps shortcut. When on your Google Apps page, click the Citrix Workspace app.   

Type in the address for VSU’s workspace (https://workspace.valdosta.edu) then click Connect. When on the Citrix login screen, enter your VSU Username and Password and click Log On.

Important! Check your phone for the 2FA Approval Notification, Text or Phone Call (Tip: Authenticate using the Microsoft Authenticator App, the easiest method to verify your identity.) Note: You cannot authenticate this log-on using your 2FA security questions.  Once successfully logged in, proceed to the next step

3. Choose a Lab Once the portal opens, select the computer lab that is running the software needed for your class. You may click Details to view additional options.

Important! If all the computers in the lab you are accessing are currently in use, a ‘Cannot start desktop’ notice will display. Access is limited. Please try again later.  

Log on to the Remote Computer Once connected, click the OK button when the blue Valdosta State University banner notice displays.

If it does not automatically log you in, enter your VSU username and password as normal.

Congrats! You can now utilize the software included in this computer lab. 

Important! You cannot save your work directly to the remote computer. You MUST save to Microsoft OneDrive or a similar cloud storage solution, or a location designated by your instructor.       

4. When Finished… Restart the Remote Computer.
To Restart: Click the Windows Start icon > click the Power icon > select Restart.

While the use of an iPad or iPhone is not recommended, the procedures below will explain how to use these devices to connect to the VSU Remote Labs environment. These examples are with Citrix Workspace App version 23.3.0.

1. Go to the App Store, search for Citrix Workspace, download and install to your device.
2. Open the Workspace App and select Get Started.
3. At the Welcome screen enter the web address for the Citrix Workspace as: workspace.valdosta.edu
4. Workspace will verify internet access to the workspace.valdosta.edu site.
5. Enter your VSU login with your username and your password.
   Note: You must check your phone for the 2FA approval via MS Authenticator.
6. Your credentials will be verified and you must check your phone for your 2FA approval via MS Authenticator.
7. Depending on your preference choose either of the choices below to advance to the Citrix Workspace environment.
8. In the VSU Store, choose the lab that you have been assigned by your professor. On an iPad you may have to click the blue plus box to show your apps as displayed below.
   Note: Your list of available computers and applications will be unique based on your course section.
9. When you click on your remote lab, a progression bar will show the connection is being made just like the example below. The desktop computer loading time can vary.
10. At the banner page click OK to open the computer desktop.
11. When the Windows Desktop is presented, you may need to change the orientation of your screen to horizontal for the best view, as seen below.
    Note: The desktop will open in the full resolution size which is much larger than your iPhone or iPad screens and you may only see the black section of the screen until you change the screen orientation or resize the viewing area so that you can see the whole desktop on your phone.
12. When finished with your lab computer, please use the power button and choose restart before disconnecting. This will help your fellow students have access to this computer much quicker than just closing the session.
13. To reconnect in the future, you will only need to provide your login credentials and 2FA approval.