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Using Remote Desktop

Using Remote Desktop

Faculty, staff, and students can access on-campus Windows computers from an off-campus computer using Remote Desktop Protocol technology.

Most people do not need to use Remote Desktop.

This is different from a few years ago when more apps, sites, and tools were only accessible from an on-campus computer. Oftentimes, using a remote desktop connection can hinder your work experience if it is not truly needed. If you are working off-campus and have a university-issued computer, you most likely do not need Remote Desktop and should instead use the VPN.

Prerequisites

The on-campus computer that you want to connect to remotely:

  • Must remain powered on.

  • Must remain connected to the internet via Ethernet (hard-wired).

  • Cannot go into hibernation or sleep mode.

  • Must not actively be used by someone else.

If you have been able to connect to a computer remotely, but have lost access, the computer is probably powered off or is offline. ITS is unable to go to your on-campus office to turn it on for you.

Limitations

  • If you are connecting from a personal computer off-campus, this service is still possible and you may follow these guides as they are written. However, ITS cannot offer direct support for personal machines in the event of problems that may arise. Please also be aware of security recommendations and best practices for using a personal device for work.

  • Duo 2FA is required for Remote Desktop. You must have either the Duo app or a landline registered. SMS, hardware tokens, and security keys are not supported.

  • You cannot remotely connect to a computer running macOS or Linux. The Remote Desktop Protocol only supports connecting to Windows, but you can connect from other systems.

  • Only the device admin (primary user) can connect by default. Other users will need to be added manually.

Get started

First, you need to set up your remote (on-campus) computer to allow incoming remote desktop connection requests: Enabling Remote Desktop (On-Campus Computer)
Then, you can set up your local (off-campus) computer to connect to your remote desktop: Connecting to a Remote Computer