How do I use Securly Classroom with Windows devices?

With Securly Classroom, teachers in schools with Windows student devices can view the whole Windows desktop, as well as remotely close Windows apps like they can with Chrome tabs.

To accomplish this, Classroom uses a native Windows MSI file and is not dependent on the use of the Chrome browser or Google logins. Students can use their Active Directory credentials (Microsoft Entra or Local AD) and show up in class.

What does running a class with Windows devices look like?

This is what a teacher will see when teaching a class with a student using a Windows device with Securly Classroom.

As you can see, the entire Windows desktop is visible, including Chrome, the taskbar, and any other apps the student has open. On the right-hand side, you'll see the open tabs sidebar has been split in two, allowing the teacher to see both open Chrome tabs and open Windows apps.

When viewing Windows apps, click on an app and click Close to close the app.

To find your custom MSI file, login to Classroom and go to Settings > Deployment > Windows

Teachers and other faculty members access Securly Classroom (deviceconsole.securly.com/classroom) on any type of device via the following supported browsers:

• Chrome

• Microsoft Edge

• Firefox

For details on supported devices and other system requirements, please refer to this section of the guide.

FAQs

1. What features does Securly Classroom provide on Windows devices?
   Teachers using Securly Classroom in schools with Windows student devices have the functionality to view the whole desktop, as well as remotely close Windows programs like they can with Chrome tabs. This works with no browser extensions and works with the Edge, Chrome, and Firefox browsers.

2. How does Classroom capture the entire Windows desktop on student devices?
   Classroom uses a native Windows agent installable with a single MSI file.

3. How can schools/districts deploy the Windows agent to student devices?
   The Securly Windows agent can be deployed using Group Policy Manager (GPO) from Windows Server. Alternatively, you can use an MDM such as Microsoft InTune or Microsoft Endpoint Configuration Manager (MECM). Instructions on how to do this can be found in our Knowledge Base. Note that a custom MSI will be provided to you. If you have not received it, please contact your account manager.  

1. Does this mean that schools can use this without Google Chrome?
   Yes! Classroom supports Windows without relying on any Chrome extension or Google logins. Students can use their Active Directory credentials (Microsoft Entra or Local AD) and show up in class.

2. Can Classroom be used in a classroom with both Chrome OS and Windows devices together?
   Yes. Students can be in mixed device settings on Chromebooks, Windows, or macOS.

3. When closing a Windows app with Classroom that has a file open with unsaved changes, will changes be saved?
   No, the app will close immediately without prompting the student to save. It’s important to keep this in mind when closing Windows apps. If a student is working on a file and you need them to pay attention, you may want to direct them to save their work rather than immediately closing the app.

4. Can Securly Classroom be used in a virtual desktop environment?
   Yes.  If you are deploying the Securly Classroom chrome extension, any web browser with a profile signed in that loads the extension will be monitored.  A virtual environment can technically have several students signed in and monitored as long as they're all using different chrome profiles.  If it is the MSI for Windows, that is only possible to be used on one virtual machine at a time, since it takes over the entire machine, not just the browser.