{"id":13231,"date":"2026-04-03T16:03:53","date_gmt":"2026-04-03T20:03:53","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.virginiawestern.edu\/iet-services\/?page_id=13231&preview_id=13231"},"modified":"2026-04-03T16:03:55","modified_gmt":"2026-04-03T20:03:55","slug":"virtual-tips","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.virginiawestern.edu\/iet-services\/services\/desktop-support\/virtual-tips\/","title":{"rendered":"Operating Instructions and Tips"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Click on question to read the answer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How do I shut down my computer at the end of the day?<\/h2>
\n

You do not<\/strong> need to shut down your computer or thin client each day and in fact this is not recommended. Thin clients and monitors enter sleep mode and use little power.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

What is the recommended way to end a virtual session?<\/h2>
\n

You may just lock the screen. Hold down the Windows Flag Key on the lower left of the keyboard and press the L key simultaneously to lock your session. If you are going to use the virtual desktop at home in the evening, simply lock the session. It will be ready to go when you sign back in from home at the same point you left it. If you are going to be away from the desktop more than 24 hours or over the weekend, log out.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Note: <\/strong>Closing all documents at the end of the day is best practice or all least save your changes. Leaving the computer logged in with a screen lock makes getting back in simple. Just hit CRTL Alt Delete to unlock.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Does a thin client ever need to be restarted?<\/h2>
\n

Occasionally there may be an issue with the thin client. To cycle power on the thin client, hold the front power button.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Note: <\/strong>This does not restart\/reboot the virtual desktop! Remember it is only being accessed by the thin client.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Does a virtual desktop need to be restarted?<\/h2>
\n

There are 2 times when this is needed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \n
  1. You are not using your virtual desktop for 24 hours.<\/strong>
    When you are not going to use the machine for 24 hours or over the weekend, log out of Windows. This will give you a new virtual desktop. The power button is disabled. <\/strong>Logging out does this for you.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  2. You are having problems with the virtual desktop or do not get a printer.<\/strong>
    Sign out of Windows and wait a few minutes <\/strong>to log back in.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

    Note: <\/strong>The desktop needs about 3 minutes to restart. If you sign back in immediately, you will get an error indicating that the desktop is not available.\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

    If I have an issue with my desktop configuration, what should I do?<\/h2>
    \n

    Sign out of the desktop, wait and sign back in. If this does not resolve the issue, open a work request with IET through the Help Desk. An analyst will work with you to obtain a solution.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Note: <\/strong>If you cannot open a request due to access issues, call the Help Desk. Please report any concerns promptly to the Help Desk for further analysis. In certain circumstances, the virtual desktop may require additional resources to better support the applications used by the system user.  <\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

    On Monday, my virtual desktop takes longer to be ready. Why?<\/h2>
    \n

    Each weekend, all virtual desktops are shut down and restarted. This sets them up to get security updates and forces a complete login process which is often used to deliver configuration changes.\u00a0 On Monday all users get a new virtual machine. Provisioning all these users takes more resources which makes the setup on Monday take a little longer than a normal day.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

    When I do a CTRL-ALT-DEL while in the virtual desktop via a PC or laptop, it prompts me to use CTRL-ALT-INS instead. Why is this and what should I do?<\/h2>
    \n

    When CTRL-ALT-DEL is pressed within the Hosted Desktop from a PC or laptop, users are prompted to use CTRL-ALT-INS instead, as CTRL-ALT-DEL does not function identically to its behavior on a physical PC.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    This distinction occurs when accessing a virtual desktop via the Omnissa Horizon Client on a PC, whereas it does not arise on thin clients. The virtual desktop utilizes CTRL-ALT-INS to differentiate its functionality from that of the local machine. When the incorrect key sequence is used, the system provides a prompt clarifying the required combination. While this process can appear cumbersome or confusing, the guidance ensures correct operation without causing issues if the wrong key sequence is initially entered.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

    Can I use a USB stick on a virtual desktop?<\/h2>
    \n

    Yes, you can. Thin clients natively support USB devices like any PC, allowing virtual desktops to connect to USB sticks. Sometimes a scan for errors is suggested due to software compatibility, but it’s usually unnecessary.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

    Are the drive mappings the same on a virtual PD, laptop, or full desktop?<\/h2>
    \n

    Drives are assigned according to your user ID, department, and participation in collaboration groups. When you open Windows Explorer or My Computer, you’ll notice your usual drives as well as extra ones labeled with numbers–these numbers represent the ID of your campus workstation or may differ if you’re accessing your virtual desktop from a home PC. The drive description includes the local computer name, indicating where each drive is located. As you check these drives and browse their contents, you’ll discover additional resources available to you.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

    Can I use my thin client to charge my phone?<\/h2>
    \n

    Although it is technically feasible to use a thin client for device charging, this practice is not recommended from an operational perspective. Thin clients are designed with low power consumption in mind and are not optimized to function as charging stations for mobile devices. Attempting to charge high-power devices or multiple devices via a USB hub may lead to undervoltage problems and potentially impact the performance of the thin client.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

    I like dual monitors. Can I use 2 monitors on a thin client or add one to my laptop when I access from home?<\/h2>
    \n

    Yes you can. Most thin clients on campus have dual monitors. \u00a0A laptop can connect to an external monitor with an HDMI port and cable.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

    <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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