Virtual Desktop Infrastructure (VDI) gives our campus community access to a full campus computer at any time and anywhere. Instead of needing to be in a computer lab or office, VDI allows you to log into a virtual desktop with the same software, systems, and tools you’d use on campus.

At Montclair, VDI is powered by Omnissa Horizon (formerly VMware Horizon), a virtual desktop and software delivery platform that lets you access applications without installing them on your personal device.

What is Omnissa Horizon?

Omnissa Horizon is a virtual environment that provides access to campus desktop and applications through the internet. This means:

• No need to download or install software locally
• Access to Montclair applications from any device
• A secure, centralized desktop experience

A full list of available applications can be found in the Deployed Software section within the platform.

Why Use VDI?

VDI is useful for Montclair users who need:

• Access to Montclair software from off-campus
• A consistent desktop experience across devices
• A secure environment for sensitive data and work
• Flexibility to teach, learn, or work from anywhere

How to Access VDI (Omnissa Horizon)

Getting started is simple:

• Go to
• Enter your NetID (example: smithj/smithj1) and password
• Complete Duo MFA request
• Once logged in, you’ll see the Omnissa Horizon dashboard
• Select “Apps” section to view available virtual desktops
• Click on corresponding desktop icon (Student/Faculty/Staff)

• Wait for desktop to launch and fully load

Once launched, your virtual desktop will function just like a campus computer.

Accessing VDI on Different Devices

Desktop or Laptop

You can access VDI through your web browser.

Best for:

• Teaching, administrative work, and coursework
• Running specialized or high-performance software
• Multitasking with multiple applications

Mobile Devices (Phone or Tablet)

VDI is also accessible on mobile devices using a compatible app or browser.

What to expect:

• Touch-based navigation (tap, zoom, scroll)
• Best for quick access or reviewing files
• Not ideal for long sessions or complex workflows

Tips for a Smooth Experience

• Use a strong and stable internet connection
• Keep your Duo Mobile app updated
• Use a modern browser (Chrome, Edge, or Safari)
• Log out when finished, especially on shared devices

Need Help?

If you experience issues accessing VDI (Omnissa Horizon), contact the IT Service Desk.

As part of this transition, the Division of Information Technology recommends planning for device upgrades or replacements during the current fiscal year. For department-purchased secondary, grant-funded, or start-up-funded devices capable of running Windows 11, contact your department’s IT support to upgrade them. For older hardware purchased outside of the Computer Lifecycle Replacement Program that does not meet Windows 11 requirements, replacement will be the most secure and sustainable option. Departments are encouraged to review their device inventories and budget for new hardware to ensure compliance. Early planning will help avoid last-minute disruptions and ensure continued access to supported, secure technology across campus.

As of June 14, 2022, Internet Explorer has reached its “End of Life” (EOL) and will no longer receive any security updates. Microsoft has replaced Internet Explorer with Microsoft Edge. If you are still utilizing Internet Explorer we ask that you begin using other supported browsers – Edge, Chrome, Firefox, and more.

To prevent any potential security risks associated with outdated browsers, we are planning to remove and/or deactivate Internet Explorer from all University-owned and managed devices on Monday, January 29th. If you would like to take your favorites into your new browser, you can find directions .

What this means for Windows users:  updates will be automatically installed on your machine after the second Tuesday of each month.  No action is required on your part to make this happen, but you will be required to reboot your computer within 7 days of each update.

We recommend that you restart your device within 24-48 hours of the update. Again, you will have up to 7 days to reboot before the system reboots automatically as per the pop-up notification shown in the screenshot below.

Please keep in mind that if you forget to reboot your workstation within approximately 7 days, it will automatically reboot without your ability to stop it. Therefore, please make sure that all your work is saved and reboot the system when you have control to do so. You will receive pop-up messages, similar to the one shown in the image above, reminding you to reboot before the system does so automatically.

Please Note: We have implemented a similar process with Mac OS X workstations using Nudge.

This change is aimed at enhancing the security of your system.

Top 3 Recurring Issues

• Do not scan the QR code with your camera app. Doing so will lock you out of the system. Instead, use the Google Authenticator App to scan the QR code.
• Enter your code without spaces.
• Do not delete the Google Authenticator App as it is necessary to access SSO applications.

On Tuesday, October 3, 2023, at 3 p.m., all students and alumni with an active NetID will have to use Multi-Factor Authentication to access applications that are enabled with SSO (Single Sign On).

Using Multi-Factor Authentication will enhance the security of your account credentials when accessing ����vlog’s systems and better ensure that only properly authorized users are allowed access.

This includes systems you probably use quite frequently such as Nest, Canvas, and Workday. Here’s a full .

Please note: If you do not set up Multi-Factor Authentication on your mobile device, you will not be able to access these applications.

Follow the that will walk you through the necessary steps. The process is quite simple and should only take 2-3 minutes to complete.

If you are using an Apple ID with your  email address, you will need to change your credentials. For more information, click here.

Anti Virus software migration (no action required)

As a reminder to all Mac Users, the Sophos antivirus software will be replaced with Defender AV on all University-owned Macs on Tuesday, September 12.   All Windows Users have already been migrated.  For more information, click here.

Changes to Google storage limits (please review carefully)

Due to a change in their policy, Google is no longer offering us “free and unlimited” cloud storage.  The impact on users is expected to be minimal, but please refer to this link for more information and what to expect if your Google account (Gmail, Google Drive, Google Calendar, etc.) is affected.

Thank you for your attention to these important changes.

In our continuing efforts to improve the security of our client machines, and to streamline our processes, Information Technology will be discontinuing the use of Sophos Anti-Virus on all University-owned machines. Instead, we will be adopting Microsoft Defender AV, which will automatically be distributed across all University-owned Windows, Macs, and Servers throughout the campus. The migration from Sophos to Microsoft Defender AV will take place on two separate days, depending on the operating systems. Upgrades to servers are being done on a separate schedule.

For computers running on Windows, the migration will take place on Monday, August 11th – Complete
For computers running on Mac OSX, the migration will take place on Tuesday, September 12th.

You do not need to take any action as this migration will be performed automatically and should not disrupt your work. However, we encourage you to reboot your computers daily, and we kindly ask that you perform a reboot at the end of the day.

Thank you for your cooperation.

Please Note: This upgrade will be distributed via a software update so there is no need for an IT technician to visit your office. This update will be distributed to your machine whether you are on campus or remotely. On the scheduled date, the update will run in the background.

What Do I Need to Know?

• This will be an unattended installation that will run in the background and will require you to enter your email and password once it is completed.
• The update can be done whether you are on campus or remotely, as long as your machine is turned on and connected to the network (either the campus network or your home Internet service.)
• We will be scheduling upgrades by department so you should check our to confirm your date (schedule is subject to change)
• Jamf Connect will be a standard moving forward on any newly imaged Apple computer.

About Jamf Connect

Jamf Connect creates a better sync process between your NetID and your computer, eliminating keychain and log-in issues when you change your password.

What Do I Need To Know?

• The migration process will not affect your login credentials and you will continue using your existing NetID and password.

• After the migration process is completed all of the SSO-enabled services will require Multi Factor Authentication (MFA) through DUO. Starting Thursday evening September 29th, the Google applications suite will also be SSO-enabled and will require faculty and staff to use  MFA through DUO.

• Assuming you are already using DUO with Workday, you will not need to re-enroll in DUO.  You have the option to enable the “remember me” checkbox on the DUO profile when logging into an application in order to remember your login for up to 12 hours for each application.

For more information on setting up DUO and available options please refer to the DUO MFA Enrollment & Usage Guide.

Please note that after the migration the SSO login page will have a slightly different look as presented in the image below:

If you have any questions regarding the improved SSO service, please contact the IT Service Desk at 973-655-7971, option 1 or your local academic technology team.