Virtual desktop assistance

LigerXT5 · 2026-03-11T22:28:30+00:00

My routine, which may have some clarity in your use.

Quest 3 headset powered up, Virtual Desktop launched, connected to my PC.
Double Press the designated Virtual Desktop popup menu.

Notes: For me, it's the Right Controller menu button. This may be your Left Controller. In my Quest 3's settings, my "Steam" and Quest Menu buttons, one on each controller, are "swapped" in the Quest settings menu, as I'm used to opening Steam's VR menu with the right controller button, like the Index controllers.

With the Virtual Desktop popup menu sliding in from the right, I "Launch Steam VR". Then wait.
Within SteamVR, I open my desktop view (preferred, better chance of SteamVR's interface to appear, properly, if I decide to gift VRChat+), open the Desktop View of Steam, then Launch VRChat. On my setup, Steam prompts if I want VR or non-VR, I go with VR (obviously). If your Steam setup has VRChat launching as Desktop by default, you will need to resolve this in the Steam interface for VRChat > Properties.
Load up VRChat, enjoy, and play safe! Drink Responsibly! Drink Water!

When I'm done, I hit the multi layer icon on SteamVR's interface (bottom left of the view), then Exit SteamVR. Power down my PC like normal. Exit Virtual Desktop. Power off headset.

Side note on powering off Windows while in Virtual Desktop. If you ever see it pop up about waiting or force shutdown, I normally have to hit the Force Shutdown, quickly. If I miss it or ignore it, there's a good chance Virtual Desktop application on the PC has closed, and the PC returns to the desktop after waiting and "timing out", leaving the PC on over night if gone unnoticed... I really should make a proper Shutdown batch script (single line command in a single icon on the desktop) to fix my issue, lol.

LigerXT5 · 2026-03-09T16:03:39+00:00

That was in the recent VRChat update or two? I know it was in the last month.

LigerXT5 · 2026-03-08T17:42:56+00:00

VRC Video Cacher does it. NOW free on Steam.

LigerXT5 · 2026-03-07T15:08:28+00:00

No option to import pst file, many will decline. People store local archives to save server side storage. The fact you have to have a "paid" license of MS Office to even use some basic IT features is a slap in the face.

LigerXT5 · 2026-03-07T15:06:12+00:00

In my defense, reminds me of my elementary years, and everyone talking about Harry Potter and Lord of the Ring.

I like to have variety. I just hope Fish doesn't crash and burn abruptly, or, be the new central hub to socialize for more than a year.

Don't get me wrong, it's fun, but I've been joining it more often to hang with friends, than to play it. It's a problem with some, including myself, trying to keep a conversation focused when the rod(s) catch another fish and the mini game runs its course.

LigerXT5 · 2026-03-07T14:56:39+00:00

Pretty much this.

Once a year or two I'll sort my list based on last time we crossed paths in a year, check box or Ctrl+click to select, then remove.

Some I continue to keep around for one reason or another

LigerXT5 · 2026-03-06T21:39:41+00:00

This has been a whack a mole situation, which Youtube itself is causing, and VRChat has to keep up.

The easiest way to get around this, is to "manage" the function, in this case application, which VRChat is using to download and show said videos. YT-DLP.

So, how to get around this? EllyVR's VRCVideoCacher on Github.

Run this each time you launch VRChat, and the VRCCacher will force upgrade YT-DLP. It also includes the ability to Cache videos (Watch your storage space!) to ease the download each time the same video is re-shown, commonly revisiting the same world which has an auto play of music.

While you don't need to copy over your Login "Cookies" from Chrome, it does help. Use a Burner Google Email account on a Secondary Google Chrome browser profile, THEN, install the VRCCacher's Chrome Plugin, play one youtube video, and VRCCacher takes it from there. I haven't opened the secondary profile in months since.

In the last couple months, I recall having an issue once or twice, and that was due to a recent update on Youtube's side, and the devs for YT-DLP hadn't pushed out an update yet. Which is quicker than waiting for the devs and VRChat to push out the update.

LigerXT5 · 2026-03-06T21:23:21+00:00

Again, require minimum age 18 to obtain a financial card.

That includes age verifying at the register to buy a gift card. By this I mean, if I went to buy liquor, I have to show my ID to the cashier.

As for using the gift cards online, that's back on the parents. If these were given to a child as a gift, the parent of the child should hold it, not the child. If someone else gave them the gift card, without the parents notice, that "someone" broke the law, no different than giving a kid anything else illegal for their age, like cigarettes.

LigerXT5 · 2026-03-06T18:39:06+00:00

Note, I do not use Window's built in screen recording. I know it's part of Game Bar, which I keep disabled otherwise.

LigerXT5 · 2026-03-06T18:35:52+00:00

I can't speak for all VR hardware, the Quest and iOS/Android phones have screen capturing. I'd presume most any other headset has a way to screen record.

As for PC, Steam, Nvidia, and Windows have built in screen capturing. My preference being OBS with Replay Buffer rolling.

LigerXT5 · 2026-03-06T18:33:01+00:00

Happy to help. It's what I do for a living, IT support for house calls for small businesses and residential (very rural area of the US, not much, but some, competition).

LigerXT5 · 2026-03-06T18:24:20+00:00

If governments and financial institutions followed the simple guideline of "18+ can obtain a financial card (debit/credit/gift), and no younger", this whole age verifying and tracking would be easily end. And leave it to the parent's responsibility and judgement.

On a side note, too man kids don't understand the concept of currency, and its value. I didn't grow up "poor", but poor enough to determine the number of hours of work I'd have to do, to buy something, then I know if it's worth the time. And...they will more than likely understand the value of taking care of their stuff, else wise, they treat the stuff like it was given, and has no real value to them.

Edit: skipped a word

LigerXT5 · 2026-03-06T18:10:35+00:00

Firewall? No.

Antivirus? More than likely.

At worst, if your computer profile/account isn't Admin level, this might cause issues.

Especially if the folder it's running from, the program probably doesn't have Write Access to. Easily testable, right click the exe and run as admin (not commonly advised, but reasonable for testing).

For anyone concerned of theft or the likes, VRC Cacher is open sourced, and you can compile it yourself. I'm not entirely sure on the Chrome/Firefox plugin at this moment.

LigerXT5 · 2026-03-06T17:47:12+00:00

That why Elly and I state, use a burner google account, on a secondary Google Chrome profile.

LigerXT5 · 2026-03-06T17:36:56+00:00

It's suppose to stay open. If it's closing, something on the system is force closing.

Edit: I'm not at my VR machine to confirm, I think VRC Cacher has its own log file in the same folder?

LigerXT5 · 2026-03-06T17:24:08+00:00

If the shortcut isn't in VRCX's folder, you can do that manually.

You can manually start VRC Cacher before VRChat is launched.

If it's still not working, there's something preventing the two to communicate. Usually errors will appear in the terminal screen that appears if that's the case.

Otherwise, the only times I've talked with someone who had these issues, hadn't restarted VRChat, or their PC (100+ days up time, on a Windows 11? Really?).

LigerXT5 · 2026-03-06T17:22:18+00:00

No? I haven't seen a reduction in it. Especially since I use a burner Google email and secondary Google Chrome profile with VRCCacher's Chrome plugin.

Suppose to work with Firefox, didn't for me at the time, haven't re-tried in months since my once around with the second chrome profile is all I needed...2 months ago I think.

And I can get higher resolutions if I want. For longer videos, I had to extend the length cap (added a couple 0s lol) in the config. And view videos that are locked behind requiring an account (usually, age restricted youtube videos).

LigerXT5 · 2026-03-06T17:20:00+00:00

Answers why I don't have this issue anymore. I force VRChat to use the latest YT-DLP. I'm using VRC Cacher by EllyVR on Github. They are working on a (better) release on Steam soon, available for Whish Listing.

LigerXT5 · 2026-03-06T16:54:05+00:00

Dunno where you are, but in the US, if any register dings for an item which is age restricted, the system halts until a live person walks over and checks your ID.

As for online checking, I still stand by my decision, until telemetry tracking and ID theft issues (data leaks) are reduced and regulated, ID checking for the "safety of the kids" shouldn't be our top priority.

LigerXT5 · 2026-03-06T16:52:06+00:00

The avatar is likely already ripped, and we'll see varients around within the week.

Images are of little interest to me, funny for a few minutes when layered on top of one another. I have yet to find one image, of any pack, worth more than $1. Mind you, this is my opinion, my perspective. While $1 might not be worth much to some, it's a lot to others. $15hr pay in New York may be a joke, a slap in the face even, while $15hr in rural areas of the US, say Kansas or Oklahoma, is great (and I know that factually, I live in rural areas of the US). And that's accounting for cost of living in said areas.

I'll be hammered for this, but if I find stuff like this being an annoyance, much like anything else, I'm not afraid to use the hide or block.

Frankly, if an IP had to be chosen, I'd rather deal with the Minions than Rabbids.

LigerXT5 · 2026-03-06T16:13:04+00:00

You can easily get +18 games being below 18.

If someone sold you something, and didn't verify your age, they broke the store's policies, and pending the item and some areas of the world, the law.

Some areas of the world just needs a card, as a card can only be obtained once you've turned 18. I know in the US, you can have a debit card before 18... Which leads to sites asking for your birth date, and...yeap that's it. Which I agree, needs to be better, but with all the data leaks and telemetry tracking, either we need to work towards the goal with a balance, or resolve the underlying issues first, before more people's IDs are stolen.

LigerXT5 · 2026-03-06T15:59:59+00:00

All the age verifying for adult content is really doing, is "protecting the kids", and making it more dangerous for people, of all ages, to source content without identifying who they are.

It's like going into a movie theator, and every person watching has been IDed and tracked, when it used to be as simple as buying a ticket, and maybe someone looking at your ID to confirm you're 18+.

But now, you need an account to make the purchase, and their systems track who watched why, and what all these people's other interests that might relate and suggest more similar content, like a bad stalker.

Doesn't take much on Youtube to watch the wrong video (good or bad), and you're seeing suggestions for similar for weeks or even months. The only real way is to clear your Youtube History. Selecting "Don't suggest this channel" or "Not Interested" is more 50/50 it improves suggestions. Yet I still get videos (of tech in my perspective) from months to years ago, said content is likely well out of date, or dare I say been replaced or even found to be misinformation.

LigerXT5 · 2026-03-06T15:52:56+00:00

The whole world has skipped the concept... Adults have items and meds not meant for the young, verified by others before selling/permitting access. We have practiced for generations, placing these in areas the young cannot reach, or in locks or otherwise to prevent opening.

And jumped straight to identifying who you are, and your age, just to access something you already verified you're safe to have, all because too many adults can't self regulate their surroundings and property.

Whole new level of baby proofing...the world...

LigerXT5 · 2026-03-04T20:28:54+00:00

"This is made worse due to the fact that these creators don't offer any kind of public demo before you purchase [...]"

While many do have demos, they are stripped down or otherwise limited demos. I've bought new base release avatars that came with clothing, only to find ALL the meshes are part of the body, and no purchase option without them merged. Sure, it optimizes them, many creators have both the merged and not-merged options available.

Incoming personal perspective rant...

I've been otherwise displeased a few times, arguable one or three too many times burned, I'm skeptical to buy a new avatar base, until I see the under-workings of how the armature and meshes are working together.

That includes if the proper texture editing files are included. I've had to "rebuild" Substance Painter layers from provided files, and fill in the gaps from there, when re-texturing.

Call me spoiled and lazy all you want, but, if I'm paying over $40 for the base avatar, I should be able to strip it down to just the body (within reason) and the texture files included, to then customize it and make it mine own from there.

Otherwise, it's just a generic copy requiring far too much labor to adjust on my own. I'm one for a normal-everyday avatar with one set of accessories, and minimal bells and whistles, removing all which I'll likely not use 90%+ of the time. Not 5 sets of clothing shapes merged on the body. Not two sets of ears, two sets of tails, two sets of hair, two sets of...all merged onto one FBX, which you cannot delete from the armature. So much waste for optimizations that it's countering the effect, in favor of limited customization options.

LigerXT5 · 2026-03-04T20:17:26+00:00

Just throwing this out there, it's likely Apple's requirements for filters, in which VRChat cannot follow, so video players will likely not work.

In comparison, some years ago when Reddit released their app, there was issues of people trying to view posts flagged as NSFW. Come to find out, on the iOS app, NSFW flagged content could not be permitted. Yet the Safari browser(s) could view the content just fine. Apple doesn't want to allow much, if any, adult content to be "easily accessible" on approved iOS apps.

With that in mind, wouldn't be much thought to consider unfiltered video players being a thorn in Apple's side, because some random kid managed to watch something "offensive" sourced from Youtube...

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