Remote Desktop Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Note: To install the Microsoft Store version of Remote Desktop, see the question below.

1. Open the Start menu in the bottom left-hand corner.
2. Type "Remote Desktop Connection".
3. Click the application highlighted below.

The application's main window will appear as shown:

Note: Windows comes pre-installed with a Remote Desktop connection application.
The Microsoft Store Remote Desktop application shown below is easier to use but has fewer features.

 1. Go to the Microsoft Store Remote Desktop webpage.

 2. Once the Microsoft Store opens, click Download or Get.

Note: If a window pops up asking you to sign in, click No thanks.

 3. Click Install. If prompted for sign-in, click the red X button. Remote Desktop will begin downloading.

 4. Once installed, click Launch. Remote Desktop will open. Voila!

Remote Desktop is like opening a portal or window into your office computer. Anything that is done via Remote Desktop will happen in real-time, on your office computer.

If you are dealing with sensitive data, Civil and Environmental Engineering Information Technology (CEE IT) recommends not mapping drives to a home computer. Data may be inadvertently saved in a location on the home computer, which can result in the following issues:

1. The data will no longer be secured, as it is now being stored outside of the University of Waterloo campus network; security is jeopardized.
2. It is more difficult to keep track of where files are stored, which may result in files not being available when you need them. For instance, a file saved in the downloads folder on your office computer will not be in the downloads folder of your home computer, and vice versa.

Instead, CEE IT recommends performing work via Remote Desktop where possible, while accessing files through OneDrive or Microsoft Teams.

Note: The multi-monitor feature is currently limited to the built-in Remote Desktop connection application.

1. Open Remote Desktop Connection, then click Show Options.

2. Select the Display tab, then check the Use all my monitors for the remote session option. Click Connect.

1. Open Remote Desktop. On your saved connection, click the "..." and then Edit.

2. Click the Show More option.

3. Scroll down to the bottom. Under Audio Playback, select Play on this device. Under Audio Recording, set the option to On. Click Save.

Note: The Video Capture device feature is currently limited to the built-in Remote Desktop connection application.

1. Open Remote Desktop and select Show Options.

 2. Select the Local Resources tab.
 3. Click More....
 4. Check the box beside Video capture devices.
 5. Check the box beside Other supported Plug and Play (PnP) devices.
 6. Click OK.
 7. Click Connect and test your webcam.

1. Open Remote Desktop. Click Add in the top-right hand corner. Enter the name of the computer, followed by ".uwaterloo.ca". Click the + icon beside User Account.

 2. Enter your Username and Password as shown below. Click Save.

 3. Click Save.

 4. Click the computer, as shown below. Click Connect.

Your Remote Desktop session will now begin.

We prefer that Remote Desktop users use OneDrive or Microsoft Teams to access their files rather than a USB.

However, it is possible to view files from a USB on a Remote Desktop in the following manner:

1. Open Remote Desktop and select Show Options.

2. Select the Local Resources tab.

3. Click More....

4. Click the + beside Drives.

5. Check the corresponding boxes for the drives you'd like to connect.

6. Click OK.

7. Click Connect.