Illinois AnyWare Desktops - Uploading and Downloading Files

For more information about the service itself, please visit Illinois AnyWare Overview. 

There are 3 options available for uploading, downloading and syncing files while using Illinois AnyWare. The recommended option for file management while using Illinois AnyWare is Microsoft OneDrive.

OneDrive (Recommended option for file management)

The Illinois AnyWare service was designed to leverage Microsoft OneDrive cloud storage. Microsoft OneDrive is provided by Illinois to all students and should help bridge the gap for your file management while using AnyWare.

When saving files to OneDrive as mentioned, files will sync and also be accessible from OneDrive on the web and also the OneDrive app, should you choose to install it on your personal device. OneDrive integration works when connecting to Illinois AnyWare with the Windows app and also by browser. 

Best practice is to ensure whatever file you are working with is properly saved and sync'd before exiting your Illinois AnyWare session. You can confirm this by logging into OneDrive via web or the OneDrive app if you have it installed. 

Please see this article for detailed information about using OneDrive with Illinois AnyWare

Open / Save - Upload / Download

The next two options allow you to open and save files between your local computer and your Illinois AnyWare session (upload and download files). Once you are connected to your virtual desktop or application, you can use data from your local computer including any drives, network or cloud storage that are mapped to your local computer. This is because Illinois AnyWare creates a connection back to your local computer. You do not need to copy files to a server or email them to yourself.

Files uploaded to Illinois AnyWare are not retained once your session is finished, so any files that you work with during your session will need to be downloaded back to your local machine. The upload and download method is different depending on how you access Illinois AnyWare: Windows app session vs. Browser session.

Connect to Illinois AnyWare with the following instructions: Connecting to Illinois AnyWare.

Then, depending on your method of connection, follow the appropriate steps below:

Windows app

1. After connecting to an AnyWare desktop, Open Windows File Explorer and Navigate to This PC.
   
   
   
   
   
2. You will see your drives appear as below, where Computer Name will show your local computer name.
   
   
   
   
3. Double-click on the relevant drive and interact with it how you would locally.

Browser

1. After you have opened your desktop in a browser click the File transfer icon in the upper right if the screen.
   
    
   
2. To upload a file in the resulting menu click upload and navigate to the file you want to upload and click open. 
   
   
   • Then on the virtual desktop open file explorer, click on This PC, click Remote virtual drive on RDWebClient, and then Uploads
     
   • You should see the file you uploaded in the Uploads folder. From there move it to Desktop or Documents on the virtual desktop.
3. To download files from the virtual desktop open file explorer, click on This PC, click Remote virtual drive on RDWebClient, and then Downloads.
   • Copy any files into that Downloads directory and they will automatically be downloaded on to your local machine.

Support

Get Help

If you're having trouble with Illinois AnyWare, reach out to the Technology Services IT Service Desk by email at consult@illinois.edu or by phone at 217-244-7000.