# Access your Lightsail for Research virtual computer's operating system
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Complete the following steps to access the operating system for your Lightsail for Research virtual computer.

1. Sign in to the [Lightsail for Research console](https://lfr.console.aws.amazon.com/ls/research).

1. Choose **Virtual computers** in the navigation pane.

1. Locate the name of your virtual computer and then choose the actions button dropdown under the computer's status.  
![The Actions button.](http://docs.aws.amazon.com/lightsail-for-research/latest/ug/images/actions-dropdown-menu-icon.png)
**Note**  
If the virtual computer is stopped, first choose the **Start** button to turn it on.

1. Choose **Access operating system**. An operating system session will open in a new browser window.
**Important**  
If your web browser has a pop-up blocker installed, you might need to allow pop-ups from the **aws.amazon.com** domain before to opening your session.