Logging into OneDrive on Horizon VDI (Virtual Desktop Infrastructure)

Owned by Jon Cunningham (Deactivated)
Last updated: Aug 07, 2024 by Aeoleon Bryant
3 min read

Introduction

For the security and safety of the students and the College, each Horizon VDI desktop is immediately deleted when students sign out. However, exceptions such as being dropped from the internet or losing power are considered disconnects and will not immediately sign the student out. A disconnect is different from a sign-out and will allow a student to reconnect to the same desktop for up to 30 minutes. A sign-off is instant, and any data not saved is unrecoverable.

All students have free access to Microsoft OneDrive storage provided by the College, and it is important that students learn to properly save their data to Microsoft OneDrive to limit accidental data loss and access their files from anywhere. Whether on a Horizon VDI, a desktop in the classroom, or a personal device, it is best practice to connect to Microsoft OneDrive using a browser.

Logging into OneDrive via Browser

Follow these steps to log into OneDrive using a browser:

  1. Navigate to OneDrive:

  2. Sign in with your student account:

    • Enter your student email in the format <student account>@students.fscj.edu.

  3. Select Account Type:

    • Choose “Work or School account”.

  4. Account Type Confirmation:

    • You might need to select “Work or School account” again. If not, proceed to step 5.

  5. Authenticate with Single Sign-On (SSO):

    • Enter your account password and click “Continue”.

    And you’re in!

Using OneDrive

Once logged in, you can perform the following actions in OneDrive:

  • Drag and Drop:

    • Students can drag and drop items from their desktop into the Microsoft OneDrive storage.

  • Edit Directly from Browser:

    • Open and edit items directly from the browser by double-clicking them. Changes are automatically saved. You will see a notification at the top of the document indicating the saving status.

  • Download and Upload Files:

    • To download a file to your desktop, select the circle next to an item and click download. This is useful if you need to use the file with another application.

    • After completing any assignments, move the edited file back to Microsoft OneDrive by either overwriting the old file or renaming the new file.

    Note: Always move the file back to OneDrive after completing your work to ensure it is saved.

Additional Information

  • Data Loss Prevention: Always ensure your work is saved to Microsoft OneDrive before signing out of the Horizon VDI desktop to prevent data loss.

  • Access Anywhere: Files saved to OneDrive can be accessed from any device with an internet connection.

  • Storage Limitations: Be mindful of your storage space in OneDrive to avoid issues with uploading and saving files.

  • If you encounter any issues or need further assistance, please contact the Technical Service Desk by submitting a ticket at help.fscj.edu.