Penn Libraries Virtual Computer Lab: About vLab

The vLab has moved to Windows 365 Cloud PC and will soon be no longer accessible via the Horizon Client.

You will need to register for the 2025-2026 academic year.

The previous vLab (library.desktop.upenn.edu) has been shut down as of September 8, 2025.

• If you registered prior to August 1, you will need to reregister for access to the new vLab.
• If you registered on or after August 1, you do not need to reregister.

Registration is required to access the vLab. Users need to have an active Penn Student, Staff, or Faculty affiliation.

• Complete the registration form to request access.
• You will receive a confirmation email within 1 business day.
• Registration needs to be completed once every academic calendar year.

When connected, you will be running a Windows 11 virtual computer that works much like an on-campus lab computer.

• You can connect to the vLab via a web browser or by downloading the Windows App.
• Visit this page to learn how to connect to the vLab.

Each time you connect, you will start a new session, which does not pick up from where you left off previously. Any files or settings saved will be deleted once the session is closed.

• Be sure to save your files to your email or to a cloud storage service such as OneDrive, Box, Google Drive, or Canvas.
• If you use the Windows App, you can configure the connection to allow you to redirect folders from your personal device and access them directly in the remote session

Take a look at our FAQ or contact Client Services at libhelpdesk@pobox.upenn.edu for additional assistance.

• Acrobat Reader
• ArcGIS Pro
• Cambridge Structural Database (CSD)
• EndNote
• JMP Pro
• Maple
• Mathematica
• MATLAB
• Microsoft Office 365
• NVivo
• PyMOL
• R
• RStudio
• SAS
• SketchUp
• SPSS
• StataNow SE

Looking for specialized software? Need software for a course? Some Penn schools host their own virtual computer labs for their faculty, staff, and students.