Accessing Files on a Virtual Desktop

Summary

Information about storing and accessing files in File Explorer and mapping a NAS share drive.

Body

Regardless of whether you are accessing Remote Services on a PC or a Mac, the software will run files as though you are on a Windows PC.

File Location

File Explorer can be accessed from within a remote app, just as you would on any Windows PC. It is possible to access files from the remote server (individual users have 2 GB of storage). You can also access your NAS Storage Share, but OIT Recommends that you use a cloud data service, such as NevadaBox or Google Drive. 

Remote Services Files 

When launching File Explorer, files stored on the Remote Services server can be saved to, and opened from, the default folders listed. 

Individuals who are members of multiple remote profiles will see multiple File Explorer apps in their list. The files stored on Remote Services server for different profiles are independent of each other. It is not possible to access a file stored in the "DataWorks" profile from the "Engineering" profile. To access files across profiles, it is recommended to save to a different location, such as NevadaBox or Google Drive.  

Home Directory on the Storage NAS

If you have a home directory on the NAS Storage, it will automatically appear as the "U" drive in file explorer.

How to Map a NAS Storage Drive on a Virtual Desktop

To access your network share more easily, it's possible to assign it to a drive letter such as G: or S:

This will allow you to open and save files directly to the NAS from within a program, as well as providing a much easier way to access your network share. 

  1. From your desktop, click on the start menu and select the Computer button. 

    Remote Services start menu with a red box and arrow highlighting the computer button
     
  2. From the This PC window, right click on This PC and select Map Network Drive

    Screenshot of the This PC window with a red box around the Map Network Drive option and a red arrow pointing towards the Map Network Drive option.
     
  3. The Map Network Drive window will appear. Fill in the following information:

    Drive: Windows will automatically assign any unused drive letter. If you have a preference you may change the letter for the drive. 

    Folder: This is where you will enter in the path to the share. If you are on campus it will begin with \\storage\ if you are on the wireless internet it is \\storage.unr.edu\.

    Reconnect at sign-in: If this is your office computer, check Reconnect at sign in. If this is a public computer, leave the option unchecked. 

    Connect using different credentials: If you are signed into the machine with your NetID, leave this unchecked. If you are not logged in with your NetID, check this box and a new credential window will appear. 

    Once all the information has been entered, click on Finish. 

    Screenshot of the Map Network Drive window with a red box around the Finish button and a red arrow pointing towards the Finish button.
     
  4. You will now see a window that will confirm that your computer is connecting to the network drive. 

  5. Once the folder has successfully connected, you will see it listed on the list hand side of the This PC window with (\\storage) next to the drive. You will now have access to all the files in the folder.

    Screenshot of the This PC menu with a red box around the helpdesk (\\storage) (Z:) option and a red arrow pointing towards the helpdesk (\\storage) (Z:) option.

 

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Details

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Article ID: 117564
Created
Mon 10/5/20 2:04 AM
Modified
Wed 5/25/22 7:42 PM