UChicago Virtual Lab (vLab)

The UChicago Virtual Lab (vLab) is an online equivalent to a computer lab. You can use it to access certain course software from your own computer. If you need assistance connecting to vLab, stop by the IT Services TechBar or send an email to academictech@uchicago.edu.

Step 1: Connect to UChicago VPN

Connect to UChicago’s Virtual Private Network (cVPN) in order to access the UChicago vLab from your own computer.

Step 2: Connect to Microsoft RemoteApp (Preferred Method)

For Windows

If you regularly use the same computer to connect to your RemoteApp sessions, you can add a direct connection from your operating system’s Control Panel.

  1. Go to Control Panel, switch to Icon View, and open RemoteApp and Desktop Connections.
  2. Click Acess RemoteApp and Desktops.
  3. Fill in the address https://vlabapps.uchicago.edu and click Next.
  4. When you see the Ready to set up the connection dialog, click Next.
  5. A Windows Security dialog will appear. Login with your cNetID and password, using “ADLOCAL\YourCNetID” and password.
  6. Return to the “Setup Connection” dialog and click Finish.

This will add a folder to your Windows Start Menu (VLAB Remote Apps). When you want to launch a RemoteApp, you can use these shortcuts.

For macOS

  1. Download or open the Microsoft Remote Desktop application.
  2. Click the + button and Add Workspace.
  3. Enter https://vlabapps.uchicago.edu in the Add Workspace dialog box.
  4. Click Add and authenticate.
  5. Microsoft Remote Desktop will now present you the list of available apps in the Workspace tab.
  6. When starting an app, you will be asked for a username and password. Login with your cNetID credentials, using “ADLOCAL\YourCNetID” and your password.

Step 3: Sync Your Local Data to vLab with OneDrive

In order to get your local data into the vLab environment, you have to use Microsoft OneDrive.

  1. Download and install OneDrive if you don’t have it already.
  2. Login to OneDrive with your cNET credentials.
  3. Place the files you want to use in the vLabApp environment in your Microsoft OneDrive folder on your local computer.
  4. Allow time for your local files to sync with OneDrive. Once done, you’ll be able to access them in the VlabApps workspace in OneDrive.

Alternative Connection Method via Web

If you are connecting from a computer that you do not use regularly, a connection via the web will be a better choice for you. Connect to UChicago’s Virtual Private Network (cVPN) prior to following these steps:  

  1. Go to https://vlabapps.uchicago.edu and click HTML Web Client (For Mac and Linux Users)
  2. Log in with “ADLOCAL\YourCNetID” username and password.
  3. Once authenticated, you will see the RemoteApps for which you are eligible.
  4. Double-click the application you’d like to use. (You may see a security warning when the app launches. Click the checkbox to opt out of future security warnings.)
  5. Depending on your browser, you will either download, or immediately launch an application-specific RDP file.
  6. You may be asked to log in with your cNetID username and password again.
  7. This service is now 2FA enabled, you will now have to complete the appropriate DUO authentication.
  8. Open the file, and your RemoteApp application will launch.
  9. Your application will start, and you can use it in a similar fashion as if was installed locally on your own computer.

We recommend you use the Recommended Method for optimal results. This is a shared service for all students — backups and storage are your responsibility. Please save all your files on your own device. If you need assistance connecting to vLab, email academictech@uchicago.edu.

Further Resources