How do I Access the Virtual Lab?

Some courses and activities at ACU require software that ACU has licensed and provided for your use through our Virtual Lab. Your professor or activity leader will inform you if you can access the Virtual Lab for this purpose. If you have access to multiple virtual labs, most courses use the General Lab, unless the department or specific application is listed in the name.

IMPORTANT: Virtual lab machines are periodically wiped and reset, deleting all saved files. These are not backed up and cannot be recovered under any circumstances. Save your work to Google Drive or other external media to avoid data loss.

There are two ways to access the Virtual Labs:

Using a Web Browser

  1. Open a web browser and go to vlab.acu.edu
  2. Log in with your ACU email and password.
  3. You will see a list of virtual desktops and/or software you you have access to. Select the appropriate one.

Windows App

Windows

  1. Add Windows App to the MS Store Library (note: this is different from the Remote Desktop Connection client that comes pre-installed with Windows).
    • You can use a web browser to go to https://apps.microsoft.com/store/apps, search for Windows App, select it, click View in Store, click Open Link, click Get
    • Or you can launch the MS Store app, search for Windows App, click the search result, click Get.
  2. Click Open, or launch Windows App from the Start menu.
  3. Sign-In with your ACU credentials.
    • If prompted with a first-time setup, select Skip.
  4. You should now see any virtual desktops you have access to.

Mac

Start by getting and setting up the Windows App (formerly Microsoft Remote Desktop) if you don't already have it:

  1. Open the App Store application and search for Windows App (you can also find it by searching for Remote Desktop).
  2. Click Get, or if you've had any version on your computer at any time in the past, click the download icon (cloud with a down-arrow).
  3. If you get a splash screen explaining that Remote Desktop is now the Windows app, either click Next through the slides or Skip.
  4. Click Install if available.
  5. If you aren't already signed into an Apple ID, do that now.
  6. Click OPEN, or launch Windows App from the Applications folder or a shortcut if you created one.
  7. Agree or don't agree to additional data collection.
  8. Grant or don't grant access to your microphone and camera. If you don't grant access, your virtual machines won't be able to use your mic and camera.
  9. Verify that you are logged in to your acu.edu account in the bottom-left.
  10. Your available virtual desktops will be displayed under Devices in the left navigation.
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