Unsure on which Work From Home product to choose? Use this guide to help decide.
In an effort to maintain productivity and maximize flexibility as the University responds to COVID-19, OU IT has extended the VMware Horizon Virtual Desktop service (VDI) to tri-campus Faculty and Staff.
Please note, you will need to install PingID and then authenticate to get access to this program, please see this page for more.
VDI delivers a CLEAN desktop with secure, encrypted access to network services. VDI does NOT duplicate your on-campus desktop computer. Files stored locally on your on-campus computer are not accessible via VDI.
Accessing VDI via the Client:
- To begin, navigate to https://mydesknor.ou.edu/.
- You should have two options, a standalone installer and an option for HTML access. Select the option for “Install VMWare Horizon Client”.

- You will now be linked to the VMWare download website. Select the “Go to Downloads” link for your operating system.
- Next click the Download button for your download. Once downloaded, click to launch the installer.
Mac Install
- When the installer file launches, you will be prompted to agree to the privacy agreement and license terms. Select to Agree.

- The installer will now load the installer package. Click to drag the application to the Applications folder.

- When the install completes, you may now find the application “VMWare Horizon Client” in the Applications folder.
- Upon launching the application, you may be prompted for your Admin username and password. Hit Continue and enter your computer’s admin credentials, then hit Ok.

- You may receive an alert prompt that the Security Extension has been blocked. Click Open Security Preferences.

- At the bottom of the Security & Privacy window, click the Allow option.

- At the “Enter the name of the Connection Server” prompt, enter mydesknor.ou.edu
- If you already have an existing connection, click the New Server option and then enter the server address above.
- You will now be prompted to enter your OUNet username and password. Enter this in and then click Login.
- You should also now be promoted to accept the authentication in PingID.
- The desktop window will now load for your instance.
If you have problems connecting to Horizon VDI (mydesknor.ou.edu), please contact your local service desk. Norman IT Service Desk | Tulsa IT Service Desk.