Remote Desktop from Windows to Windows

The remote desktop feature in Windows allows you to control your computer from another office or from home. Remote Desktop allows you to use the applications on your office computer, and access your data without being in your office.

There is a risk that technologies that allow you to access your desktop may be exploited by others. Be careful to properly secure your desktop to minimize this risk.

Allowing Remote access on your office PC

In order to connect, your 8-character username (e.g. j25rober) must be on the list of allowed remote desktop users.

  1. Search for This PC on your computer.


    Once opened, right click on This PC and select Properties.

  2. From left-hand menu, select Remote settings.

     

  3. Enter your Administrator credentials.

    1. If you don't have admin rights on your PC, contact your IT administrator or send a request to your IST account rep.

  4. Under Remote Desktop, ensure Allow remote connections to this computer is selected.

     

  5. If your username is not listed, click on Select Users....

     

  6. Click on Add....

     

  7. Enter your 8-character username as nexus\username. (e.g. nexus\j25rober)

  8. Select Check Names, If everything looks correct click OK.

  9. Click OK to close the open settings windows

Remote Desktop Connection Steps

Note: You will need to be connected through the Virtual Private Network (VPN) on your home computer before you can use Remote Desktop.

The remote computer must be powered on.

  1. In the Windows search bar, enter Remote Desktop Connection. Click to open.

     

  2. In the Computer field, enter the computer name of your office computer, click Connect.

If you don't know your computer name: On your office computer, double-click on the System icon in Control Panel, then click on the Computer Name tab. You will see an entry for Full Computer Name.  Note: If you are not able to connect to Remote Desktop using only your machine name (e.g. ist12345), try connecting using the format machinename.nexus.uwaterloo.ca (e.g. ist12345.nexus.uwaterloo.ca)

3. Enter your credentials:
a. User name: nexus\username
b. password: password 

Note: This one time, you will also see a dialog warning that Remote Desktop Connection cannot find a trusted certificate for the remote PC. Select "Don't ask me again for connections to this computer" and then click OK

4. Remote connection will be established.

Need help?

Contact the IST Service Desk online or 519-888-4567 ext. 44357.