Student Virtual Computer Labs

Edmonds College students and instructors can access specialized academic software previously available only in on-campus labs via a web browser. You can find a list of available Software per department and class, accessible via your Triton ID.

You may find an accessible photo-guide of this tutorial at: Virtual Computer Labs for Students

Below are the text-only instructions:

Before You Begin

To access, you will need:

  • To be enrolled in classes in the current Quarter 
  • Have access to your TritonID to log in

Virtual Computer Lab sessions does disconnect after 30-60 minutes of no activity/interaction/idle (no keyboard/mouse activity) with applications. For example:

60-minute timeout - If the AWS screen is left idle, it'll take about 30 minutes to disconnect the session and about 30 minutes to completely shut down the session, and all unsaved work will be lost.

30-minute timeout - If the AWS screen is closed (e.g., browse window/tab is closed), it'll take about 30 minutes to completely shut down the session, and all unsaved work will be lost.

If the browser window/tab is accidentally closed, they can return to the current existing session without starting over if they return within the 30-minute window.

We highly encourage students to frequently save their work to Google Drive, even if they step out of AWS for a short period of time. Be sure to save your work often and always copy your work from temporary storage to Google Drive before leaving your computer or doing other things on your computer.

Related Guides

Log in to your TritonID

Select the Apps you want to access

  1. Once signed in, click the "General Virtual Computer Lab" to access apps available to all enrolled students. You may also see additional software depending on the classes you are enrolled in.
  2. You can see a list of apps on the Virtual Computer Lab Software Page
  3. Once you click on a Virtual Computer Lab, you will see a list of apps available to access
  4. AppStream will prepare your session. It should take about 2 minutes or more to prepare your session. If you are using Google Chrome, click Allow to “Show Notifications” or “see text and images copied to clipboard.”
  5. You will see the Appstream Desktop
  6. To avoid losing your information, please follow the next step.

Set Up Google Drive on Amazon AppStream

  1. In the AppStream web view session, at the top left of your browser, click the My Files icon.
  2. Select My Files, then Add Storage and then Google Drive
  3. Login Accounts> @student.edmonds.edu
  4. You may encounter the following sign-in options: 
    1. If you are not yet signed in to your student account, sign in 
    2. If already signed in to your student account, select your Google Account
  5. After your Google Drive account is added to AppStream, your Google Drive folder displays in “My Files.”
  6. Once connected, you can access your files under File Explorer on AppStream 
  7. Make sure to save any homework/assignments/progress in the Google Drive Folder/subfolders to ensure your data is saved and not lost when the session is terminated.

Navigate Bar Icons

  • Catalog - You can have multiple applications running at the same time. Select an application from the list displayed here. Your current application(s) will remain open.
  • Windows - If you have more than one application running, click this icon to display each of their windows. Click a window to bring that application to the front.
  • My Files - Access your Google Drive and Temporary Files. Be sure to store your work on your Google Drive. (Work stored in Temporary Files will disappear when you end your session.)
  • Clipboard - Only when not using Chrome. With other browsers, this is how you copy from an application in AppStream to your local clipboard for pasting into a local application, or from local to remote. Chrome does this automatically. 
  • Microphone - Enable microphone
  • Camera - Enable camera
  • Settings - Modify General Settings (Theme/Streaming mode) / Display (Screen resolution) / Regional settings / Audio & Video. Most people never alter these settings.
  • Full screen - Enter full-screen mode. ESC to exit.
  • Dual monitor - If you have a second monitor, you can extend the screen of your AppStream session.
  • FN Keys - You can use keyboard shortcuts during AppStream 2.0 streaming sessions to enter special keystrokes or key combinations. To display a row of Windows-specific keys and keyboard shortcuts during your streaming session, choose the Fn icon (or the FN Keys on AppStream 2.0 web browser access v2). The Fn icon is displayed in the AppStream 2.0 toolbar in the top right of your session window.
  • Profile - To select End Session or other links.

End Your AppStream Session

Important: Please make sure to save any homework assignments on your Google Drive to avoid losing data.

  • On the right of your appstream navigation bar, click the User icon, then select End Session.
  •  You will be prompted to confirm the End of Session. Disconnected sessions (closing the web browser) and idle sessions (no keyboard/mouse activity) will stay active for 60 minutes and then be automatically logged off. If you fail to reconnect or actively use your session before the 60-minute timeout ends, all your unsaved work will be lost, and you will need to start over.