Open and log in to Desktop Assistant

task australia Updated Sep 10, 2026 1 min read open-desktop-exp.md

Open and log in to Desktop Assistant to get quick access to self-service tools, network tests, important notifications, and support resources.

Before you begin

DEX Desktop Assistant [sn_dex_desktop] application must be installed. For more information, see Install Application and Device Health and Download and install Desktop Assistant.
The OAuth registry record for Desktop Assistant must be active.

Role required: sn_dex_desktop.user or sn_dex_desktop.admin

Procedure

From your system tray, select and hold (or right-click) the Desktop Assistant icon [Omitted image "icon-desktop-exp.png"] Alt text:, and then select Open.
Update the instance URL.
1. On the login page, select the Change URL link.
2. In the Instance URL field on the Change instance URL page, enter the ServiceNow instance URL.
3. Select the Go back to login link.
On the login page, select Sign in.
Log in to Desktop Assistant.
- When single sign-on (SSO) is not enabled:
  1. Enter the user name and password for the instance in the User name and Password field.
  2. If you can't remember your login details, select Forgot password to reset your password.
  3. Select Log in.
  4. Select Allow to grant Desktop Assistant permission to connect to your ServiceNow account. Note: To enable SSO login, set up the SSO provider and configure SSO in the instance. For more information, see Configure Open Authorization details.
- When SSO is enabled:
  1. Select the Login with SSO link.
  2. Enter your user ID in the User ID field.
  3. Select Submit.
    
    You’re redirected to the SSO login screen.
  4. Enter your login credentials and log in.
  5. Select Allow to grant Desktop Assistant permission to connect to your ServiceNow account.

If you see an application version incompatibility error when opening Desktop Assistant, contact your administrator.
If you get an unintended page when logging in, quit the application and reopen it.

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---
title: Open and log in to Desktop Assistant
description: Open and log in to Desktop Assistant to get quick access to self-service tools, network tests, important notifications, and support resources.
locale: en-US
canonical_url: https://www.servicenow.com/docs/r/australia/it-operations-management/digital-end-user-experience-dex/open-desktop-exp.html
release: australia
product: Digital End-User Experience \(DEX\)
classification: digital-end-user-experience-dex
topic_type: task
last_updated: "2026-09-10"
reading_time_minutes: 1
breadcrumb: [Desktop Assistant, Solve issues, Digital End-User Experience, IT Operations Management]
---

# Open and log in to Desktop Assistant

Open and log in to Desktop Assistant to get quick access to self-service tools, network tests, important notifications, and support resources.

## Before you begin

-   DEX Desktop Assistant \[sn\_dex\_desktop\] application must be installed. For more information, see [Install Application and Device Health](https://raw.githubusercontent.com/ServiceNow/ServiceNowDocs/australia/markdown/australia/it-operations-management/digital-end-user-experience-dex/install-app-device-health.md) and [Download and install Desktop Assistant](https://raw.githubusercontent.com/ServiceNow/ServiceNowDocs/australia/markdown/australia/it-operations-management/digital-end-user-experience-dex/download-desktop-experience.md).

-   The OAuth registry record for Desktop Assistant must be active.

Role required: sn\_dex\_desktop.user or sn\_dex\_desktop.admin

## Procedure

1.  From your system tray, select and hold \(or right-click\) the Desktop Assistant icon \[Omitted image "icon-desktop-exp.png"\] Alt text:, and then select **Open**.

2.  Update the instance URL.

    1.  On the login page, select the **Change URL** link.

    2.  In the **Instance URL** field on the Change instance URL page, enter the ServiceNow instance URL.

    3.  Select the **Go back to login** link.

3.  On the login page, select **Sign in**.

4.  Log in to Desktop Assistant.

    -   When single sign-on \(SSO\) is not enabled:

        1.  Enter the user name and password for the instance in the **User name** and **Password** field.
        2.  If you can't remember your login details, select **Forgot password** to reset your password.
        3.  Select **Log in**.
        4.  Select **Allow** to grant Desktop Assistant permission to connect to your ServiceNow account.
        **Note:** To enable SSO login, set up the SSO provider and configure SSO in the instance. For more information, see [Configure Open Authorization details](https://raw.githubusercontent.com/ServiceNow/ServiceNowDocs/australia/markdown/australia/it-operations-management/digital-end-user-experience-dex/configure-oauth-details.md).

    -   When SSO is enabled:
        1.  Select the **Login with SSO** link.
        2.  Enter your user ID in the **User ID** field.
        3.  Select **Submit**.

            You’re redirected to the SSO login screen.

        4.  Enter your login credentials and log in.
        5.  Select **Allow** to grant Desktop Assistant permission to connect to your ServiceNow account.

-   If you see an application version incompatibility error when opening Desktop Assistant, contact your administrator.
-   If you get an unintended page when logging in, quit the application and reopen it.

**Related topics**  


[Resolve Desktop Assistant screen loading issue](https://raw.githubusercontent.com/ServiceNow/ServiceNowDocs/australia/markdown/australia/it-operations-management/digital-end-user-experience-dex/resolve-loading-da-screen.md)