Connecting remotely


How to Remotely Connect to a Managed Workstation (MWS) Computer

You can connect to your Managed Workstation computer remotely using Microsoft Remote Desktop. The remote computer must remain powered on, awake (not set to sleep), and connected to the network for the connection to work.

If your computer is set to go to sleep, update its power settings before trying to connect remotely. If you cannot connect, it may be because the computer has been powered off, has gone to sleep due to default power settings, has lost its network connection, or is in some other unreachable state. 

Before you start

The following requirements are necessary to have a successful Remote Desktop connection:

  1. Your NetID has administrator privileges on the remote computer that you need to connect to
  2. The remote computer must be turned on, not asleep, and have an active network connection when you try to connect to it
  3. You have the computer name of the remote computer that you need to connect to
  4. A VPN connection on the local computer at your location (if working off-campus)
  5. The Microsoft Remote Desktop client (Windows) or the Microsoft Windows app (Mac) installed on your local computer

Connecting Remotely to Your Managed Workstation

You need to have administrator privileges on the computer you wish to connect to remotely. If you are unsure if you are an administrator on your machine, follow these steps to check:

Checking if You Have Administrator Privileges

  1. Open Settings by using the Windows Key + I keyboard shortcut OR right-click on the Start Button and select Settings
  2. In Settings, click on Accounts in the left side list > click on Your info on the right section
  3. If you are an administrator on the computer, you will see the word "Administrator" under your NetID username. If you do not see the word "Administrator", you're not an administrator and should send a request to help@uw.edu, along with your computer name, to request that you be added.
Screenshot of Settings pane showing "Your info" with "Administrator" circled.

Make sure that the computer you wish to connect to remotely is not set to automatically go to sleep. To do so, follow these steps:

Checking Your Power Settings

  1. Open Settings by using the Windows Key + I keyboard shortcut OR right-click on the Start Button and select Settings
  2. In Settings, click on System in the left side list > click on Power & battery on the right section
  3. Click on Screen, sleep, & hibernate timeouts to expand that section
  4. Under "Plugged in" set the "Make my device sleep after" setting to Never
  5. When you leave for the day, make sure to leave your computer powered on.
To be able to connect to your Managed Workstation computer with Remote Desktop, you need to know the fully qualified name of the computer.

Finding the Computer Name

  1. Open Settings by using the Windows Key + I keyboard shortcut OR right-click on the Start Button and select Settings
  2. In Settings, click on System in the left side list > click on Remote Desktop on the right section
  3. In the "PC name" section you will see your computer name in this format: computername.clients.uw.edu
  4. Make a note of this name, you'll use it when connecting to your machine later.
On the local computer you are remoting FROM, you will need to use a VPN connection. There are 2 VPN options available to you: More information about how to setup and connect using those services can be found by clicking the links above.
Once you have established a VPN connection on your local computer, follow these instructions below on how to initiate a Remote Desktop session to your remote computer. To open the Remote Desktop Connection application on the Windows computer you are connecting FROM:

  1. Click on the Start button and type "Remote Desktop Connection". Click Remote Desktop Connection in the search results. The Remote Desktop Connection application window will display.

  2. In the Computer: box, type the name of the computer that you want to connect TO, and then click Connect. The computer should appear as: computername.clients.uw.edu  

    Screenshot of "Remote Desktop Connection" app.
  3. Enter your UW NetID credentials.
  • User name: netid\yourNetID
  • Password: Your NetID password
Screenshot of "Enter your credentials" panel with login information entered.

Remote desktop software is available for other operating systems:

Using the Microsoft Windows App for Mac

To establish a Remote Desktop session, use the following steps:
  1. Open the Microsoft Windows App (available for download from the Mac App Store for free)
  2. Click  + New icon to create a new connection
  3. Connection Name: (Choose a name that's meaningful to you)
  4. PC Name: computername.clients.uw.edu
  5. Gateway: No gateway configured
  6. User name: NETID\yourNetID
  7. Password: Your NetID Password
  8. Recommended settings:
    • Resolution: Native
    • Colors:  High Color 16 bit.
    • Full screen mode: OS X Native
    • Other settings as you prefer. Under Session you can connect to your printers and choose how sound is played from your remote computer
  9. Click the red X to close and save.
Screenshot of Microsoft Remote Desktop App with "My Desktops" option expanded.

To Start a Remote Desktop Connection:

  1. Highlight the connection you just made.
  2. Click the -> Start button to connect.
  3. If you should see the certificate warning below, click Continue.
    • Note: You can permanently remember the certificate by clicking "Show Certificate" and then checking the box for "Always trust…"
Screenshot of pop-up window titled "Verify Certificate".