How do I access my work computer remotely?

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Overview:

Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP) is a service provided by Microsoft which enables users to access their computer from another location. Using RDP, you can access files saved locally to your workstation and run applications.

This Tutorial applies to the following operating system(s):

Windows

MacOS

Setup:

Before you can access your workstation remotely, you'll need to make sure it's set up to work with RDP.

Step 1: Enable RDP

Go into Windows settings by searching "Settings" in Windows

This picture shows the settings app in windows.

Navigate to the "System" section.

This is a photo of the main menuof settings

Expand the "Remote Desktop" tab on the left, and make sure that "Enable Remote Desktop" is on, and that the two boxes below are checked.

This is an image of the system settings menu.

Step 2: Ethernet

You'll want to make sure that the computer you plan to connect to is plugged into ethernet. If you're unsure whether or not you're on ethernet, you can check by looking at your available networks as if you were going to connect to a new WiFi. If you're connected to an "ad.uidaho.edu", then you're on the University ethernet.

Step 3: Computer name

Your computer is now ready to be accessed remotely. Before you're able to do so however, you'll need to gather your computer's full network name. Steps for doing so are detailed here.

Start by launching Command Prompt from Windows. You can find Command Prompt by searching "cmd"

This image shows how to find the command prompt.

Type "ipconfig" and press Enter. Find the IP address listed adjacent to "IPv4 address" under the "Ethernet adapter Ethernet:" section. Please note that the images provided for guidance below have been censored since they contain sensitive information.

This image demonstrates how to find the IPv4 address of your computer in the command prompt.

Type the command; "nslookup (IP address)" as shown in the image below. You'll find your computer name listed next to "Name:" You'll need to substitute the "NAME.XYZ.uidaho.edu" in what's listed, with "NAME.rdp.uidaho.edu". Make sure you save this information, as it will be necessary when attempting to use RDP to access your workstation.

This picture depicts the use of the n s lookup command.

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Using RDP:

The remainder of this article will be split between a guide for Windows 10 and MacOS. Please follow the appropriate guide based on which computer you'll be using RDP from.

Windows 10
MacOS

Windows 10/11:

Step 1:

You'll need to be connected to the University of Idaho VPN in order to connect to your workstation. Please consult the article linked below for help with the VPN.

How do I set up a VPN for Windows?

Step 2:

Launch the Remote Desktop Connection app from Windows. You can find it by searching "RDP" in Windows.

This photo shows how to find the remote desktop connection app.

Step 3:

Enter your workstations full name in the field next to "computer" and press "Connect"

This picture depicts name entry.

Once prompted, enter your University of Idaho username and Password. Make sure that you're using the entry with the "AD\" in front of your user name. Please note that some information has been censored due to it's personal/sensitive nature. If you are on Windows 11 you will need to use "AzureAD\jvandal@uidaho.edu".

This is a picture of the enter your credentials window.

You may get a notice that the certificate is not validated. This is fine, and you can safely select "Yes" to continue the connection.

This is an image of the remote desktop connection window.

At this point, you should be connecting to your workstation.

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