Remote Desktop Connection Information

Remote Desktop with VPN

To connect to a computer on campus from off-campus, you must first create a VPN (Virtual Private Network) connection. After establishing a VPN connection, you will then need to review the four sections below to be able to successfully use remote desktop.  

Using a VPN connection is required to access Mac OS, and Linux computers. 

Grant Access Rights

  1. Right-click the Start button (Image or Image)
  2. Click Settings (look for a gear icon).
  3. Click the System category in the settings window.
  4. Click Remote Desktop from the menu at the left, towards the bottom of the menu list.
  5. Make sure the Enable Remote Desktop slider is in the On position.  (For S&T standard computers this is on by default)
  6. Take note of the full name displayed for the computer. (e.g. r01joeminer.managed.mst.edu)
  7. Below the PC's name, you can add any user that needs to have remote access to this computer. 
  8. Left click Select users that can remotely access this PC
  9. Click the Add button on the new window that displays.
  10. Type <username>@umsystem.edu in the object names box.
  11. Please use the Check Names button to verify you entered the user's email correctly.
  12. Click the OK button to close the Select Users or Groups window.
  13. Then click the OK button to close the Remote Desktop Users window.
  14. Finally, close out of the Settings window.

Connecting to another Computer with Remote Desktop

Before you can establish a remote desktop connection, you need to have been granted access rights to that system.

  1. The remote system will need to be turned on (powered up) in order to establish a Remote Desktop Connection. It is not necessary to be logged out of the remote system.
  2. Click the Start button.
  3. Type in "Remote Desktop" in the search bar.
  4. Click the Remote Desktop Connection application at the top of the search.
  5. In the Remote app window, type in the full computer name (e.g. r01joeminer.managed.mst.edu) in the computer field.
  6. Click Connect.
  7. Log in to the Remote System using your university username (<username>@umsystem.edu>) and password.
  8. Click OK.

NOTE: The remote machine you are attempting to login to must NOT have anyone else (besides you) logged into it or you may not successfully establish a Remote Desktop connection.

Pin remote desktop to your taskbar

  1. Left click Start button
  2. Left click Windows Accessories from the Windows menu list.
  3. Right click Remote Desktop Connection
  4. A new pop-up menu is displayed
  5. Left click More from the displayed menu list 
  6. Left click Pin to Taskbar from the menu list.
  7. You may now click the icon in your task bar to initiate the Remote Desktop Connection program

Disconnect a Remote Desktop Session

  1. Click the Close icon in the Remote Desktop Connection bar (or window).
  2. You will be prompted that your Remote Desktop Connection is about to be disconnected and asked if it is OK to continue.
  3. Click OK. This will terminate your Remote Desktop Connection.

CAUTION : Remember to logoff your local machine when you're finished. This is especially important if you use Remote Desktop while teaching a class in a technology-enhanced classroom. If you forget to logoff the local machine, anyone who comes into the classroom after you leave will have access to your university computer account!


Remote Desktop Gateway

You can use Remote Desktop Gateway to connect to a Windows 10 computer on campus from an off-campus location without a VPN connection. 

If you are connected to VPN connection, you must disconnect prior to setting up or using a Remote Desktop Gateway connection.

  1. Go to: https://rdp.mst.edu
  2. Authenticate with you campus username and password.
  3. You will then be provided with a number of systems you are the registered owner of or a frequent user. Click on the system you want to setup a remote desktop connection with, and save to your desktop. Double click it and skip to Step 8 below.
  4. If you do not see a Windows machine you frequent, click on any link and save the file for editing.
  5. Locate the saved file, right-click on it and click 'Edit'.
  6. In the 'Computer:' field, modify the beginning part of the machine name to be the desired machine.
    • Example:  Modify machine name from r01joeminer.managed.mst.edu to r02joeminer.managed.mst.edu 
  7. Click Connect, and you may need to click Connect a second time.
  8. Enter um-ad\username and password.
  9. This may take a little time for the initial set up to complete. 

Install PuTTY

PuTTY is a free implementation of Telnet and SSH for Windows machines to connect to Linux and Unix platforms.