1. Ensure your common access card (CAC) is inserted in the reader prior to accessing the URLs below. Note: If this is the first time using your CAC, you will need to pair it with your card reader. 

2. Select Pair when you see a pop up asking you to pair your SmartCard with the current user. Note: It will request your operating system (OS) password. Please enter your password and your PIN, if needed.

3.Navigate to:
• https://mydesktop.nga.mil/  (in the East) or
• https://mydesktopwest.nga.mil/  (in the West)

4. Select your personal identity verification (PIV) cert and enter your PIN. 
 

Note: If you obtain any error messages in the browser, refresh the page until the error message is gone and you are logged into the website. In some cases, it may be necessary to “Clear Browsing Data” or to relaunch Safari or Google Chrome, close the browser completely, re-open it, and navigate back to one of the Step 3 URLs. Restart your computer, if these steps do not work.

5. Select the WIN10 Desktop icon and allow downloads from mydesktop.nga.mil when the storefront appears with a white background. 

Note: If you’re using Safari, the “TkRFVK…” file will be in your downloads folder. Select “TkRFVK…” one time. If you’re using Google Chrome, a file that resembles “TkRFVK…” will appear at the bottom on the left side of your browser. Be sure to select that file one time. 

6. Select Install when you see a popup about installing Rosetta and are asked, “Do you to install it now?” 

Note: This may require you to select your desktop and download the .ica file again.

7. Once the sensitive but unclassified (SBU) OS loads you, will have to choose between the SmartCard options. Select the PIV cert to log in to the OS. 

8. To ensure your session ends properly and you can log in without issue in the future, please use the dropdown to select Ctrl+Alt+Del and then select Disconnect.

The recommended CAC reader hardware is SCR3310v2.0.