Virtual Desktop FAQs
- What is myVirtualDEN?
- How do I access the VirtualDEN?
- What is a Citrix Receiver?
- Which browser should I use (IE, FireFox, Safari, Chrome, etc) to access the
VirtualDEN? - Can I access my files on my laptop while in the Virtual Desktop or a virtual
application? - If I save my file on the virtual computer and not on my own, what happens to
it? - How do I save a file while in the Virtual Desktop?
- What is the difference between the Applications tab and the Desktop tab after
I log into apps.uky.edu? - Can I use theVirtualDEN on any internet ready computer, anywhere?
- Who do I contact if it does not work, or if I need help using it?
- What software is available in the Virtual Desktop?
- Microsoft Office Suite
- Audacity
- B2Spice
- CamStudio
- CyberDuck
- Echo 360 personal Capture
- EndNote
- Excel Solver and Analysis Toolpack (in Microsoft Excel)
- Browsers ( IE, Firefox, Chrome)
- Filezilla
- OIV Artstor Viewer
- SSH Secure Shell
- VLC Media Player
- Windows Live Movie Maker
- Winzip
- Putty
- Addins to the browsers (Adobe SVG Viewer, Authorware, Chime, Flash, Java, Math ML fonts,
Math Player, MathXL Fonts, Myeconlab, Office Macro Settings, PDF addins for Word, Quicktime
and Shockwave, Pearson Education Plugins) - Links to websites: Blackboard, Reaxys, Scifinder Scholar, Sigiplus and eTraining, myUK
- AutoCAD
- Adobe CS5 Design Premium Suite
- Adobe CS5 Web Premium Suite
- What software is available in the Virtual Applications?
- SAS
- R
- JMP
- Aperio Viewer (testing for College of Medicine)
- QS1 (testing for College of Pharmacy)
- myUK link (makes SAPGui available to you on any device)
- How do I print?
- What devices can I use (laptop, tablet, desktop, etc)?
- Why does my friend see more applications than I do when using the
VirtualDEN?
My VirtualDEN is a virtual environment created by University of Kentucky Information
Technology. It encompasses a virtual desktop that delivers a Windows 7 environment with
several software packages installed AND virtual applications that can be accessed
independently.
When you go to the VirtualDEN (apps.uky.edu) through a webpage or Citrix Client on a mobile
device, you will see two tabs on the screen after logging on. One tab says “Desktops” and the
other says “Applications”. If you choose Desktops you will then be shown all the desktops that
you are allowed to access (for now most people will only see one desktop). When you click on
one of these desktops, you will see a window open up with a virtual desktop running. Maneuver
around in this desktop just as you would on your own computer or laptop.
If you choose the Applications tab, you will see software applications listed by name. Click
on the application you want to use and then an instance of that application only will be
launched in a window. You can operate that software as though you were on a computer in one of
the labs on campus.
Using a desktop or laptop computer: From any web browser simply go to apps.uky.edu. If it is
your first visit to this site from your device, your browser should inform you that you need to
install a Citrix Receiver and provide you with a link to install. Please do this before
proceeding any further. (NOTE: it has been noticed that using Safari may not detect the
absence of a Citrix Receiver. We recommend for now that you initially launch apps.uky.edu
from another browser. Once the receiver has been installed then using Safari will work
correctly from then on.)
Using a mobile device (such as a tablet, iPhone or android): Please visit your devices “store”
or “market” to download the Citrix Receiver before going to apps.uky.edu. Once this has been
done you can either use a browser to access apps.uky.edu or configure the settings of the
Citrix Receiver to automatically launch apps.uky.edu.
The Citrix Receiver is a piece of client software that resides on your computer, laptop or
mobile device and is used to communicate with the virtual environment (VirtualDEN). Citrix is
the virtualization software used for the VirtualDEN project.
The receiver enables you to securely access the desktop and applications.
You can install it on a laptop or desktop computer by simply accessing the VirtualDEN webpage
at apps.uky.edu. There you will be presented with information that you need to install and
where to get it. Or you can go to the Citrix.com website and download from there. For a
mobile device you will need to go to the appropriate market, store, etc.
Receivers are currently available for Windows, Mac OS X, Linux, Chromebook, Android,
Blackberry, Blackberry Playbook, iPhone, iPad and Windows Mobile.
Currently all browsers appear to work, Internet Explorer, Firefox, Safari, Chrome. With the
exception that Safari has been seen to not recognize when the Citrix Receiver is absent and
will not prompt you to install it, however once installed it seems to work fine. Please report
any odd occurrences with browser to the UKIT Service Desk.
Yes. The virtual desktop and applications will see the hard drives and attached drives of
the device that is accessing the virtual environment. Simply select to save your file as usual
and you will see not only the drives in the virtual environment but the ones you normally have
available on your computer or device.
It goes the way of the virtual world. Once you close the virtual desktop or application
anything left in that environment goes away. You are encouraged to make sure you are saving
your files to your own hard drive on your device or to cloud based storage such as Googledocs,
Microsoft Live or Dropbox.
Just like normal. But be sure to select your own local hard drive or cloud based storage
and not the local drive of the virtual desktop or application. The virtual environment goes
away and loses anything stored there when you log out.
The Applications tab contains only standalone applications that you are allowed to access, and
only that application will run when you launch it. The Desktop tab contains all the desktops
you are allowed to access and will launch a window that is a complete desktop. You will
maneuver around it just like you would your own laptop or desktop. You have a Start Menu and a
list of programs that are available in a Windows 7 desktop. Think of it as a computer within
your own computer screen.
Yes, anywhere that you can gain access to the internet you can get to our virtual desktops and
applications. Remember that your internet provider speeds will have a determining factor on
your experience.
Please contact the UKIT Service Desk at (859) 218-4357 or helpdesk@uky.edu.
We are also working on obtaining permission and licensing to add the following:
We will be adding more over time as licensing permits.
We will be adding more over time as licensing permits.
Just select Print as usual from within an application. You should see the printers that are
set up on your own computer or laptop and the campus computer lab/library printers. Just
select which one you want to print to.
You can use any device using Windows, Mac OS X, Linux, Chromebook, Android, Blackberry,
Blackberry PlayBook, iPhone, iPad and Windows Mobile. Be aware that you will have a different
experience depending on the device due to size and input capabilities. If you are just
accessing simple applications any device may work for you. If you are trying chapter4 design a
skyscraper on a 3D application you may want a device with a larger screen and a mouse
interface. Experiment around and see what fits your needs.
Depending on which college and major you are in, you may or may not have access to some
software applications. Due to funding and software licensing there may be limits on who can
have access.
helpdesk@uky.edu