Connect to a Windows computer or server via RDP (Remote Desktop Protocol)
On this page:
Overview
In Windows, Remote Desktop allows you to access another computer from a different location, as if you were sitting in front of it. Remote Desktop Connection comes pre-installed on Windows 10.
Enable Remote Desktop
To set up the computer to which you would like to connect:
- Enable the Remote Desktop feature on the computer you wish to access (the host):
Note:This requires administrative rights. If you need to add this access on an Indiana University computer and do not have administrative credentials, contact your IT Pro for assistance.
- Select your options for allowing connections from other computers.
- To choose which users will have remote access, click . Typically, all administrators of the computer will have access by default. Each user must have a password before you can allow remote access.
- Click .
- Find your host computer's machine name. To do so, on the machine to which you are connecting, click the Windows search icon (the magnifying glass next to the Windows icon). Enter
PC name
, and then click . The name will be listed next to "Device name."
Connect to your machine
Notes:
- You'll need a VPN connection if you are off campus connecting to a computer on campus, or if you are on campus connecting to your home computer in campus housing. Alternatively, from your web browser, you can use the Remote Desktop application in IUanyWare, located in the "Utilities" section.
- All Student Technology Center (STC) workstations running Windows have the Remote Desktop Connection client installed. You cannot connect to an STC computer using Remote Desktop, but you can connect from an STC computer to your host computer.
On Windows
- Click the Windows search icon (the magnifying glass next to the Windows icon). Enter
mstsc
orRemote Desktop Connection
, and then select in the search results. - To adjust connection settings such as screen size, login information, availability of local hard drives and printers, or keyboard and sound behavior, click . If you need to use audio, be sure to go to and select and .
- In the "Computer:" field, type the entire name or IP address of your host computer (you can find it in your computer or system properties). Click .
- Log into the host computer if needed. The credentials for an IU machine will be
ads\username
(whereusername
is your IU username) and your IU passphrase. - When you are finished, in the "Remote Desktop Connection" window, select , click the person icon on the left, and then click .
On Mac
- On your Mac, go to the App Store and install Microsoft Remote Desktop 10. On an IU-managed machine, you may also be able to open Self Service (click the magnifying glass at the top right of your screen, then type
self service
) and install Microsoft Remote Desktop 10 from there. - Click the (plus sign) at the top of the window and select . (Alternatively, click .)
- In the "PC Name" field, enter your computer name. At the end of the computer name, add
.ads.iu.edu
. - Click .
- Click , and then check the local devices to which you will need access when using your remote computer. You can also click and customize display settings as desired.
- Double-click the newly saved desktop.
- When prompted for your credentials, enter
ads\username
(using your IU username) and your IU passphrase. - If you see a warning about connecting to the RDP host, click .
Related documents
This is document amyp in the Knowledge Base.
Last modified on 2020-03-19 13:00:44.
Contact us
For help or to comment, email the
UITS Support Center.