The instructions below will help you set up Remote Desktop access to directly use your University Windows computer that is on campus while you are at a personal or other computer that is off campus. Please confirm each group of settings is in place to allow Remote Desktop to work.
This is different from just using VPN to allow access to some other services, such as mapping network drives or some other web applications. Remote Desktop is not necessary for most services.
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Prepare on your University-owned Windows computer
Enable Remote Desktop
If your Windows computer is ITS-managed, Remote Desktop should already be enabled.
If Remote Desktop is not already enabled, set up Remote Desktop on your UAlbany work computer via these steps:
Keep your campus computer on and awake
- Click on the Windows Start button
- Click on the Settings gear
- Click on System
- On the left side of the window that appears, click on Power & Sleep
- In the Sleep section, verify the setting for 'When plugged in, PC goes to sleep after" setting is set to Never
- Do not shut your computer down if you wish to remotely access your computer.
If your computer turns off due to a power outage or other reason, you will need to visit it and turn it back on.
Find your full computer name
Access from your Home computer
Set up VPN
Direct connections (i.e., without the VPN) to Remote Desktop services from outside the University's network (off campus) are blocked.
Install the GlobalProtect VPN client on the computer(s) you will use to connect to your Remote Desktop-enabled work computer.
- The VPN client can be obtained at https://uavpn.albany.edu
- Connect the Global Protect VPN client
Connect to your work computer from Windows
In the search box on the taskbar, type Remote Desktop Connection, and then select Remote Desktop Connection.
Or
Click on the Windows Start button
Navigate to Windows Accessories
Click on Remote Desktop Connection
In the Computer field, enter in either your University computer’s Full computer name or IP address from above
Click Connect
- If prompted to trust the certificate, click to View Certificate, and click Always Trust to prevent seeing this warning again for this PC
If prompted, enter your ualbany\NetID (with your NetID) and password for the security credentials.
- For Username, enter ualbany\NetID (with your NetID)
- For Password, enter your UAlbany password
Connect to your work computer from Mac
- Install the Microsoft Remote Desktop app from the Apple App Store
In the Applications folder or Launchpad, select Microsoft Remote Desktop
- Click the plus-sign "+" icon at the top to add a new connection and choose Add PC
- For PC Name, enter in either your University computer’s Full computer name or IP address from above
In User Account menu, choose "Add User Account..."
Enter the account information and click Add
- For Username, enter ualbany\NetID (with your NetID)
- For Password, enter your UAlbany password
- Review the settings, including the optional settings as you like and click Save
- To connect, double-click on the PC Name tile that you just added
- If prompted to trust the certificate, click to Show Certificate, and click Always Trust to prevent seeing this warning again for this PC again and click Continue
