How do I access my work computer remotely?

Summary

A step-by-step guide for users to use RDP to remotely access their work computers from home.

Body

Overview

This article will cover prerequisites for Remote Desktop Connections to function as well as steps on how to connect after a computer has been set up for remote desktop connections.

If you are running into issues remoting into your computer, please ensure that you are connected to the VPN and that the computer you are remoting into is powered on.

How to set up RDP

Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP) is a service provided by Microsoft which allows users to access their computer remotely from another location using a different computer.

 IMPORTANT
The computer must be connected to the University of Idaho network via a wired Ethernet connection for RDP to work. If the computer you would like to remote into is not connected to the University of Idaho network via an Ethernet cable, you will not be able to remote in. If you need to get a University of Idaho computer connected to Ethernet, please submit a ticket here:
Network Services Request

Before you can access your Computer remotely, you will need to enable RDP on the computer.

  1. Open the Software Center application. Under the Applications tab, find Enable Remote Desktop. Click on the icon in the Software Center and then click Install. Wait for the installation to complete.
    Uploaded Image (Thumbnail)If you do not see the Enable Remote Desktop application in the Applications tab, it may already be installed. Check the Installation status tab to see applications that are already installed onto the computer.
  2. Validate that Remote Desktop has been enabled by opening your Settings app, then going to System > Remote Desktop.
    Uploaded Image (Thumbnail)If Remote Desktop is enabled, the toggle on the Remote Desktop dropdown will be on. If you would like to disable RDP, uninstall the Enable Remote Desktop application through the Software Center.

You will also need the address of the computer to remote into it. The address of the computer is in the following format:

computer-name.rdp.uidaho.edu (some departments with computers on specialized networks may require a different address, check with your department if the following does not work.)

The name of the computer can be found by opening your Settings application and going to System.

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Adding RDP Users

Once the RDP setting is enabled, any remote users of the computer will need to be granted access to perform RDP connections. This prevents unwanted users from initiating a remote session on your computer.

To grant a user access to RDP, they have to be added to a group on the computer called Remote Desktop Users. Administrator credentials are required to add or remove members from this group, so a TSP will need to make these changes for you either through a remote session or in person.

You can submit a ticket to request modifications to your computer's RDP group here:
Software Services Form

How to connect via RDP on Windows

Firstly, you must be connected to the University of Idaho VPN on the computer you are remote accessing from.

If you have questions on how to connect to the VPN or are unable to connect to the VPN, please follow this guide:
How to use the VPN with Windows?

Once connected to the VPN, there are two applications that can be used to RDP into a computer. First, there is the Remote Desktop Connection app. This application is provided by Microsoft, and should already be installed onto your Windows computer.

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The second application, Microsoft Remote Desktop, is also from Microsoft but needs to be installed through the Microsoft store.

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Microsoft Remote Desktop is a newer application has a more modern interface and may have better compatibility with Windows 11 computers. We will go over the older and built-in Remote Desktop Connection first.

  1. After opening Remote Desktop Connection, enter the address of the computer in the Computer: field.
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  2. Click the Show Options drop-down. If you are connecting to a Windows 11 computer, in the User name: field, type in AzureAD\username@uidaho.edu, replacing the email address with your own. Ensure you are using a backslash (\) instead of a forward slash (/). Click Connect.
    Uploaded Image (Thumbnail)If you are connecting to a Windows 10 computer, enter your email address without the AzureAD\.
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  3. Your computer may ask you to enter more credentials. If it does, click on Use a different account and type in the same user name that you did earlier, then type in your password.
  4. The computer should then begin to connect. It may ask you if you would like to connect despite certificate errors. This error is normal. Click the check-box next to Don't ask me again for connections to this computer then click Yes.
    Uploaded Image (Thumbnail)The remote desktop connection should then successfully open in a new window.

If you would rather use the newer version, open the Microsoft Remote Desktop application that you installed from the Microsoft Store.

  1. Click + Add at the top right, then click PCs.
  2. Under PC name type in the address of the computer. You can add a Display name if you would like as well.
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  3. Click the + sign next to User account. If you are connecting to a Windows 11 computer, type in AzureAD\username@uidaho.edu. otherwise type in just your email address. You can type in a Display name if you would like.
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  4. Click Save, then Save again. The computer should now show up under Saved PCs. Click the computer and the remote session will open in a new window. Type your password into the password field and press Enter on your keyboard. The remote session should now start.
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How to connect via RDP on Mac

Firstly, you must be connected to the University of Idaho VPN on the computer you are remote accessing from.

If you have questions on how to connect to the VPN or are unable to connect to the VPN, please follow this guide:
How to use the VPN with macOS?

Once you are connected to the VPN, download the Windows App from the Apple App Store. (This application was previously listed as Remote Desktop and had a different Icon).

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  1. Open the Windows App on your Mac. Dismiss any dialog boxes you see pop up. Click the + at the top right, then click Add PC.
  2. In the PC name: field, type in the address of the computer.
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  3. Click the drop-down next to Credentials and click Add Credentials. If you are connecting to a Windows 11 computer, in the User name: field, type in AzureAD\username@uidaho.edu, replacing the email address with your own. Ensure you are using a backslash (\) instead of a forward slash (/). Click Add, then Add again.
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  4. The computer should now show up under Saved PCs. Double-click the computer to initiate the remote session. It should now ask for a password. Type in your password, then click Continue.
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  5. It may present a message saying that it couldn't verify the certificate of the computer. This is expected and can be ignored by clicking Show Certificate then clicking the check-box next to Always trust "computer-name" when connecting to "computer-name.rdp.uidaho.edu". Click Continue.
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  6. The remote session should now open in a new window.

Still running into issues? Request assistance by submitting a ticket here:
Software Problem Request

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