Setting Up Remote Desktop on Windows as a Local Machine

Owned by Colin McNeil
Last updated: May 24, 2023 by Griffin Freiberg
3 min read

This article will provide a guide on getting your local Windows machine (the one you are physically interacting with) ready to connect back to your office/remote computer.

Installing the Supported Client

Windows 10 and 11 Professional, Education, and Enterprise all have Remote Desktop installed by default, simply search for it using the start menu.

If you do not see it, you can manually download it.

Configuring the Gateway

The remote gateway should only be used if you are not using the AnyConnect VPN or you do not have access to the software.

  1. Click on the Start button and open the Remote Desktop Connection software by typing “remote desktop connection” into the search bar and then selecting it.

  2. Click the Options drop-down arrow.

  3. Click the Advanced tab.

    Remote desktop connection advanced tab.

  4. Click Settings.

  5. If you use the AnyConnect VPN it is recommended that you skip this step.

  6. Verify that the second radio button next to "Use these RD Gateway server settings" is selected. If not, select it. Enter "remote.uconn.edu" in the "Server name" field.

  7. Uncheck "Bypass RD Gateway server for local addresses."

  8. Verify the box next to "Use my RD Gateway credentials for the remote computer" is selected. (If you want to log into your remote computer using a different account, do not select this box).

    gateway settings

  9. Click OK.

  10. Go back to the General tab.

Creating the Connection

When connecting from an Intune bound device, you need to enter your username in the form NetID@ad.uconn.edu, where NetID is your NetID. If you are unsure if you are connecting from an Intune Bound or Traditional AD Bound device refer to this article: Is my Computer Intune Enrolled

  1. Under General, Enter into the Computer text box the full name of the computer followed by “.grove.ad.uconn.edu” (i.e., 6VXX412.grove.ad.uconn.edu).

  2. Instead of clicking "Connect," click Save As... to save the connection settings as a shortcut file.

  3. Browse to your desktop and save the shortcut file.

  4. Double-click on this shortcut to quickly launch Remote Desktop Connection in the future.

For security purposes, two-factor authentication (DUO) has been implemented for remote desktop service.

Below is a general description of the experience using 2FA with the remote desktop service through the remote desktop gateway.

  1. Launch Remote Desktop Connection. Press Connect and enter your credentials.

  2. You will not see the DUO prompt on your screen. Instead, you will receive either a push notification in the DUO app or a phone call.

Note: DUO on remote desktop does not support the SMS/text code option or hardware token. You can update how you respond to prompts on the 2FA portal at netid.uconn.edu or use VPN to connect remotely instead.

You can learn more about two-factor authentication at Two-Factor Authentication.