How do I Use Horizon and Manage my Files?

Questions Answered in this Article

Answers

All faculty, staff and students have the ability to use Horizon.

*Please note: Horizon is a cloud-based virtual software repository that allows you to use common software without installing it on your computer. For more information, including the software currently available, please visit the ITS website and/or the Campus Software List.

Enrollment in Two-Factor Authentication (2FA) is required to use Horizon. Using the Duo Mobile app is highly recommended. For information, follow the article How do I Set up Two-Factor Authentication (2FA) with Duo Mobile on my UNCW Account?

If you are currently connected to the VPN (Virtual Private Network), you must disconnect before using Horizon.


Install Horizon

TECH TIP: Horizon is available for Windows, macOS, Linux, Chrome OS (Chromebook), Android, IOS (iPhone, iPad, iPod Touch) and Fire OS (Kindle Fire).

UNCW-Owned Windows and Mac Computers

Install "VMware Horizon" from the Software Center (Windows) or Self-Service (Mac). For more information, follow the article How do I Use Software Center (Windows) and Self Service (Mac) on my UNCW-owned Computer?
 

Personally-Owned Computer and All Mobile Devices

  1. Go to the Horizon download website.
     
  2. Find the appropriate installer for your operating system, and select “Go to Downloads” on the right.

    A screenshot of the Horizon download page with Windows / Mac operating systems highlighted and "Go to downloads."
     
  3. Select "Download now" on the right.
     
  4. Follow the on-screen instructions to install Horizon. A restart may be required.

Log in and Configure Horizon

  1. Open "VMware Horizon Client" from the Start menu (Windows), Applications folder (Mac) or the "Horizon" app on your mobile device.
     
  2. If the "horizon.uncw.edu" server is not pre-added, select "Add Server" (Windows) or "New Server" (Mac) > Enter "horizon.uncw.edu" > "Connect."

    Going forward, select the "horizon.uncw.edu" server after opening Horizon.
     
    A picture of the horizon.uncw.edu server, represented by an orange cloud on a white background, available after opening Horizon.
     
  3. Your web browser will open. If prompted, enter your UNCW email address (e.g., abc1234@uncw.edu) and password. If prompted, authenticate with Duo Two-Factor Authentication.
     
  4. Your web browser will confirm that you want to open the link in Horizon. If prompted, select "VMware Horizon Client" > "Open link" or "Open VMware Horizon Client."
     

Configure Drive Sharing

(Not applicable to Chromebooks or mobile devices)
 

Windows
  1. Press Alt + S on your keyboard to open "Settings" > Select "Drive Sharing" on the left sidebar.
     
  2. Check "Share your local files, Allow access to removable storage, Do not show dialog when connecting to a desktop or application, Open local files in hosted applications." Select "OK."

    An image of the drive sharing settings window with all of the check boxes selected and the "OK" button.
     
Mac
 
  1. Click "VMware Horizon Client" in the top left menu bar, and select "Preferences."

    An image of "VMware Horizon Client" in the Mac menu bar with an arrow pointing to "Preferences."
     
  2. In the "Drive Sharing" panel, check "Allow access to [your user folder], Allow access to removable storage, [and] Do not show dialog when connecting to a desktop or application." If you are prompted to allow sharing your home folder and removable storage, select "Allow" and enter your Mac username and password.

    An image of the Horizon "Drive sharing" preferences panel with all boxes checked and highlighted.

Open and Save Files

*Please note:

Windows, macOS, and Linux: Within a program open in Horizon or the UNCW Desktop, you will open from and save to your Network Drive or OneDrive. To avoid data loss, do not save anywhere else. The Network Drive mirrors your physical computer hard drive.

Chromebooks and mobile devices: The Network Drive is not available. Instead, you must open and save through OneDrive using the instructions below. To avoid data loss, do not save anywhere else.

Open From and Save to the Network Drive from the Windows File Explorer in "UNCW-Desktop" An image of the Windows File Explorer icon.

An image showing the Network Drive location in the sidebar of Windows File Explorer. There is a note to only save there to prevent data loss.
 

Open From and Save to OneDrive from Windows File Explorer in "UNCW-Desktop"


If you use OneDrive on your physical computer [Windows instructions, macOS instructions] you may open from and save to the “OneDrive – UNC-Wilmington” folder within your Network Drive. Do not open from and save to the folder labeled only "OneDrive."

An image showing "OneDrive - UNC-Wilmington" selected in the Windows File Explorer sidebar. Above it there is another folder labeled only "OneDrive" with an arrow indicating to not save there.

TECH TIP: After adding your file to OneDrive, verify it is synced by going to the OneDrive app (the blue cloud) in the bottom right of the taskbar. The file added should be first in the list with "Your files are synced" visible. If the file is not there, your file has not been added to OneDrive, and you should not yet close Horizon. Follow the on-screen instructions to resolve the syncing issue.

For additional help, follow the Microsoft knowledge article "Fix OneDrive sync problems."

The OneDrive taskbar menu with the blue cloud icon, "Your files are synced," and "You should see the last file copied here" circled in red.

Open From and Save to the Network Drive from a Program

This example shows SPSS, but the information applies to all programs.

If you open any folder here, it will mirror what is saved to your physical computer. If you use OneDrive on your physical computer [Windows instructions, macOS instructions] you may open from and save to the “OneDrive – UNC-Wilmington” folder within your Network Drive. Do not open from and save to the folder labeled only "OneDrive."

An image showing the Network Drive within the "Open" and "Save" menus in SPSS. "OneDrive - UNC-Wilmington is selected indicating that the user should open from and save there. The folder labeled only "OneDrive" is crossed out indicating to not open from or save there.

If you need further assistance, please submit a service request or CHAT with TAC.

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