You can connect to the University of Southampton Virtual Desktop Infrastructure (VDI) from university-owned laptops / desktops or using your own device.
To do that, we suggest you using the VMware Horizon Client 5.5.3 (build-19201434). This is the most compatible with the version of Horizon we have configured at this time. There may be later clients you can use, however we cannot guarantee the best experience with those.

Using a computer own by the University of Southampton (UoS) with Windows

University-owned laptops and desktops have already been configured. To install it:

1. Select the Additional Software icon on your desktop 
2. Find it into the Applications list
3. Double-click on the icon of the VMware Horizon Client
4. Select the button Agree & Install
   
5. Follow the installation process
6. The client will appear in the list of software available within the Start menu
   
7. Now:
   1. Enter the following server into the Name of the Connection Server field: vdi.soton.ac.uk
   2. Select Connect
      
8. Sign in with your university email in the form of username@soton.ac.uk (for example: ab1c25@soton.ac.uk) and your university password
   
9. The system will notify you that the site http://vdi.soton.ac.uk is trying to open Omissa Horizon Client. Please:
   1.   Tick the box to allow http://vdi.soton.ac.uk to open links of this type in the associate app
   2. Select the Open button 
      
10. Double-click the CLS icon to launch the VDI
    

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Using your own computer with Windows

To use the update University of Southampton Virtual Desktop Infrastructure (VDI), you need to install the VMware Horizon Client and set the Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) configuration to use the SSL Proxy mode.

The SSL is a security protocol that provides privacy, authentication, and integrity to Internet communications.

What you have to do:

1. Open the Omnissa Horizon Client for Windows
2. Select the Download now button
3. Launch the file downloaded
4. Select the button Agree & Install
   
5. Now:
   1. Enter the following server into the Name of the Connection Server field: vdi.soton.ac.uk
   2. Select Connect
      
6. Sign in with your university email in the form of username@soton.ac.uk (for example: ab1c25@soton.ac.uk) and your university password
   
   You might be ask to confirm your identity through Microsoft Authenticator 
7. The system will notify you that the site http://vdi.soton.ac.uk is trying to open Omissa Horizon Client. Please:
   1.   Tick the box to allow http://vdi.soton.ac.uk to open links of this type in the associate app
   2. Select the Open button 
      
8. Double-click the CLS icon to launch the VDI
   

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Using your own computer with Apple macOS or Linux

To connect your macOS or Linux laptop to the University Virtual Desktop Infrastructure (VDI), you will have to use the Horizon client on the Southampton Virtual Environment (SVE).

This is due to issues with Microsoft RDP and those operating systems.

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Related content

Southampton Virtual Environment (SVE)

Using VMWare Fusion to install Windows 10 on macOS hardware

How to set up the University Virtual Private Network (VPN)