Guide - GV
GO virtual Quick Guide
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Guide - GV
Author DT/ES/MCS/EES
Distribution This document is for U.S. Department of State
Date Version Sections/Pages Changed Comments
February 12, 1.0 First date of
2024 publication to EES
October 15, 2024 1.1 All sections EES reformatting and
rebranding applied
April 24, 2025 1.2 All sections Removed all KB links
and RSA references
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Guide - GV
Contents
1 Overview ....................................................................................................................... 4
2 Install Citrix Workspace App (First Time Login Only) ..................................................... 4
3 Logging into GO virtual .................................................................................................. 4
3.1 PIV/Smartcard Method ............................................................................................. 4
3.1.1 Process Prerequisites & Important Information ............................................ 4
3.1.2 Process Instructions (Windows and Apple/MAC Devices Only) ..................... 5
4 Configuring Outlook and Creating Email Signatures...................................................... 6
4.1 Create New Email Signature ..................................................................................... 6
5 File Saving Policy, Network Drives, and OneDrive ......................................................... 6
5.1 File Saving Policy ....................................................................................................... 6
5.2 Accessing OneDrive................................................................................................... 7
5.3 Network Drives ......................................................................................................... 8
6 Importing and Exporting Internet Browser Favorites .................................................... 9
6.1 Edge Browser ............................................................................................................ 9
6.2 Chrome Browser ....................................................................................................... 9
7 Dual Monitor Usage .................................................................................................... 10
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1 Overview
This document serves as a quick guide for new GO virtual users. Additional information,
such as detailed instructions with screenshots, can be located in the full GO virtual User
Guide. This document is applicable to all PC or MAC operating systems (OS). Visit
[Link] for quick guides applicable to mobile devices (i.e., Androids, iPhones).
2 Install Citrix Workspace App (First Time
Login Only)
Before you can login to GO virtual, you must have the Citrix Workspace app installed on
your device. You can download the latest version by clicking the Download Citrix
Workspace App link at the bottom of the website and following the download
instructions.
3 Logging into GO virtual
In order to utilize any of the following login methods, you must already be enrolled in
the GO virtual program via GO Manager, which requires management and funding
approval.
If you login to GO virtual and there aren’t any apps listed on the Citrix Storefront, it’s an
indication you are not enrolled. Click here for instructions on how to enroll.
COMPATIBLE WEB BROWSERS: It is recommended that you use the latest versions of
either Microsoft Edge, Mozilla Firefox, Google Chrome, or Apple Safari when logging
into GO virtual. If other web browsers are used, you may not be able to login.
3.1 PIV/Smartcard Method
3.1.1 Process Prerequisites & Important Information
• DEVICE RESTRICTIONS: The PIV/Smartcard login feature is not available on
mobile devices (i.e., iPhones, iPads, Androids) or Chromebooks.
• SNAPCARD CONFIGURATION & DRIVERS: If a SNAP card is configured in the
same manner a normal PIV card, GO virtual login should be possible, however,
you must download/install the Gemalto drivers to your device. Refer to the
PIV/Smartcard Cert section below to find the Gemalto drivers.
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• PIV/SMARTCARD CERTS (for Windows or Mac devices only): The PIV/Smartcard
login method may require additional certificates to be download to your device.
Refer to the Department’s PIV Software Downloads site. If you have any
questions regarding your PIV/Smartcard certificates or need additional PKI
support, please contact the PKI team at PKIProgramOffice@[Link].
• Note: PKI does not offer Chromebook compatible PIV cert downloads.
• SMARTCARD READERS: This method requires the use of a card reader, which
does not have to be TRB approved and can be purchased via third party vendors
such as Amazon. DT is not responsible for issues related to these card readers.
3.1.2 Process Instructions (Windows and Apple/MAC Devices Only)
1. Connect a smart card reader to your device and insert your PIV card.
2. Navigate to [Link]
3. Select the check box to acknowledge the monitoring consent notice.
4. Click the PIV Login button.
5. A Select a certificate prompt will appear. Select the second affiliate option listed
and click OK. *If you click Cancel or the X icon in the corner of the prompt
window, you will need to navigate back to [Link] in order to login.
• IMPORTANT NOTE: The certificate selected must be intended for smart card
logon purposes. In most cases, the second certificate listed is the correct option,
however, this is not always the case. To verify you have selected the correct
certificate, click Certificate Information. The certificate purposes will be listed. If
you see Smart Card Logon, you have selected the correct certificate.
6. Enter your PIN and click OK.
7. You will be redirected to the Citrix Receiver website. If you get Detect Receiver
prompt, click Detect Receiver. If you already have Citrix Receiver installed on
your device, click Already installed.
• MAC USERS: If you receive a prompt to unblock the Citrix Plugin, you may
need to configure Safari. To do so, navigate to your browser’s preferences
menu, select Security, select Internet Plug-ins – Web Settings, and
highlight Citrix Receiver. Change the When Visiting other website settings
to Always On or On.
8. You will then be redirected to the Citrix Storefront.
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9. To open a full GO virtual Desktop session, click the GO virtual desktop icon. To
open a single application, click the application icon to launch the application.
10. Double click the downloaded ica file to open the application.
11. Once the login window appears, click on Sign-in options.
12. Select the second PIV Card Icon, enter your PIN, and click enter on your
keyboard. The application will then open.
4 Configuring Outlook and Creating Email
Signatures
The first time you access your GO virtual desktop, you will need to configure Microsoft
Outlook.
To begin your Outlook configuration, click the Outlook icon located on your GO virtual
desktop. Follow the setup prompts by clicking the Next > button.
• Note: Outlook will automatically detect your email address and we do not
recommend manually configuring your account.
4.1 Create New Email Signature
Click File in the top left corner of Outlook > click Options > click Mail > click Signatures >
click New > enter the name of your signature and click OK > enter your signature in the
text box and click Save.
5 File Saving Policy, Network Drives, and
OneDrive
5.1 File Saving Policy
You must save your files to your home drive and/or OneDrive before logging off from GO
virtual (i.e., do not save them to your virtual desktop). For security purposes, any files
saved to your virtual desktop will be deleted when you log off. Saving files to your home
drive and/or OneDrive also ensures your files will remain available to you whether you're
working from your standard OpenNet workstation or logged into GO virtual.
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5.2 Accessing OneDrive
OneDrive is now accessible via GO virtual as a desktop app. To access OneDrive, follow
the instructions below.
• Note: You must open a full desktop session in order to access OneDrive (i.e., the
app is not listed on the Citrix Storefront and cannot be opened as an individual
application session).
1. Click the Windows icon (located in bottom left corner of your screen) and click
OneDrive. A pop-up notification will appear that says you are syncing to your
OneDrive account.
2. Click the OneDrive icon located in the bottom right corner of the taskbar.
• Note: If you don’t see the OneDrive icon, click the up-arrow icon first, then the
OneDrive icon.
3. A pop-up display of your OneDrive will appear. Click Open folder to view your
OneDrive in Windows File Explorer.
• Note: Clicking View Online will open the web version of your OneDrive.
To learn more about OneDrive, such as moving files to OneDrive or status icons for files
within OneDrive, visit the Department’s M365 Information Hub: OneDrive
([Link]) website.
OneDrive and Adobe Pro Limitation: If you are working within Adobe Pro, you will be
unable to open PDF files saved within your OneDrive. A recommended workaround is to
save the PDF file to your home drive so you can open it with Adobe Pro. Save any updates
needed to the PDF and move the updated file from your home drive to OneDrive.
OneDrive Sync: Once you’re logged into your virtual desktop, it may take up to 20
minutes or more for your OneDrive to sync automatically. To manually sync your
OneDrive, click the OneDrive icon located on your taskbar > select the settings icon >
click Quit OneDrive > click Close OneDrive when the ‘Are you sure…?’ prompt appears >
re-open OneDrive via your desktop’s start menu > you may be automatically signed in
but if not, click Sign in, enter your DoS email address, click Sign in > your OneDrive will
begin to sync.
File Sync Limitation: OneDrive within GO virtual is limited to 1 TB, therefore, please do
not sync any files that you are not actively working on during your GO virtual session.
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5.3 Network Drives
To view the network drives you are already mapped to or to manually map to an existing
network drive, follow the instructions below:
A. From the Citrix Storefront, double-click the Explorer icon .
OR
B. From your GO virtual desktop, click the Windows icon located in the bottom
left corner of your GO virtual desktop. Click the This PC icon.
Your network drive will be listed under the Network locations section. Below is a sample
of what your personal home drive path may look like:
Figure 1 A sample network home drive path.
• Note: If you do not see your network drive under Network Locations, you will need
to map it manually.
[Link] Manual Mapping Process
Prior to logging into GO virtual, you will need to identify your network path from a
standard OpenNet workstation or GO desktop device. Follow the steps above to find
your network path. Record the network path name (i.e., write it down, email it to
yourself, etc.).
• Note: If you are an existing GO virtual user and need to identify your network
path prior to a GO virtual upgrade, you may do so from GO virtual if you are
already mapped to your network drive.
Once you have your correct network path, follow the steps below to manually map to it.
1. Click the folder icon located on your taskbar or search for ‘This PC’ in the search
bar located in the bottom left corner of your screen.
2. Right click This PC and then select Map network drive…
3. Click the Drive drop down menu and select a letter that is not already being used
(i.e., H:).
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• Note: Drive letters already being used will have a network path name listed next
to them.
4. Enter the path to your network drive in the Folder text box.
5. Select the Reconnect at sign-in check box and then click Finish.
6 Importing and Exporting Internet Browser
Favorites
6.1 Edge Browser
• Click the star icon (favorites menu) located in the top right corner of Edge.
• Select the three horizontal dots icon.
• Export Favorites
o Select Export Favorites.
o The Save As dialogue box will appear. Select the location where you’d like
to save your exported favorites list and click Save.
• Note: This will save your favorites as an HTML file.
• Import Favorites
o Select Import Favorites.
o Select Favorites or bookmarks HTML file from the Import from drop-
down menu. Click Choose file.
o Navigate to where you stored your favorites HTML file, select the file, and
click Open. Your browser favorites will then be imported and accessible
via the favorites menu. Click Done.
6.2 Chrome Browser
• Click the three vertical dot icon located in the top right corner of Chrome.
• Select Bookmarks > Bookmarks manager.
• Select the three vertical dot icon located in the right corner the blue banner.
• Export bookmarks
o Select Export bookmarks.
o The Save As dialogue box will appear. Select the location where you’d like
to save your exported favorites list and click Save.
• Note: This will save your favorites as an HTML file.
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• Import bookmarks
o Select Import bookmarks.
o Navigate to where you stored your favorites HTML file, select the file, and
click Open. Your browser favorites will then be imported and accessible
via the favorites menu.
7 Dual Monitor Usage
Since GO virtual utilizes a virtual client to access OpenNet resources, changing the
configuration of the display is not possible. However, if you have a dual monitor setup
with your personal device, you can extend the view of the virtual desktop or individual
GO virtual application, so it is visible on both of your monitors, by dragging the edge of
the app/virtual desktop towards the 2nd monitor screen.
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