Remote Desktop connection

Connecting while off-campus

Install the University of Waterloo Virtual Private Network (VPN) client (Cisco AnyConnect Secure Mobility Client).

  1. Open the Cisco AnyConnect Secure Mobility Client. Enter 'vpn.uwaterloo.ca' as the VPN server. Click Connect.
  2. In the pop-up login window, select the 'UW-General' profile from the group drop-down menu. Enter your WatIAM login credentials and click OK.

Note: Additional VPN assistance can be found through our Remote Desktop connection frequently asked questions (FAQs).

Video tutorial for Windows users

View on YouTube

For more information, please see the information technology and systems (IST) knowledge articles:

Note: CEE IT does not support Mac OS. If using Mac, please consult the link above for IST Mac OS Remote Desktop documentation. 

Connecting while on-campus (or off-campus with VPN enabled)

In order to connect using remote desktop, locate the computer's hostname and domain name.

If the computer is in the Nexus or Civil domain, follow the managed computer instructions.

If not, follow the unmanaged computer steps.

Note: If connecting to a server, the computer name and domain name can be found through your professor, or by contacting CEE-IT.

Managed computer:

Retrieving Computer Hostname and Domain:

The computer may have affixed to it a white label with black letters denoting its hostname (i.e CEENEX00, BRIDGE00, etc.). 

A white label with black lettering denoting the computer name "civil10"

Alternatively, users may follow the steps below, to find both the hostname and the domain:

  1. Click the Search Bar and search for "About", then click About this PC. 
    Using the Windows 11 search function, with the query "About". "About this PC" pops up.
  2. Find the Computer Name and Domain. The domain is connected to the Full device name, i.e. ".NEXUS.UWATERLOO" indicates this PC is on the NEXUS domain. 
    Under System > About in Windows 11 settings, there is a red box highlighting the fields related to "Computer Name" and "Domain".

Starting a Remote Desktop:

  1. Click the Search Bar, then type "Remote Desktop Connection". Select the Remote Desktop connection option from the list of results.
  2. In the Computer field, type the hostname of the computer to connect to, then click Connect.
    remote desktop connection connect button
  3. Type in the credentials for the domain into Username and Password, then select OK. 
    Note: The domain can be changed by typing in the domain name followed by a backslash, then typing in your user name into the Username field (i.e NEXUS\username). The password should be the same as your login password (which may differ from your WatIAM password).
    Windows 11 Security "Enter your credentials" pop-up, prompting username and password input.
  4. If the remote computer is not verified, a screen similar to the one below will appear. Select Yes to connect. To prevent this message from reoccurring, select the box in front of 'Don't ask me again for connections to this computer'.
    Remote desktop connection window
  5. The screen of the remote computer should now be opened.

For additional information, go to Microsoft's Remote Desktop Connection website.

Unmanaged computer:

If you have an unmanaged computer, the Remote Desktop connection is not easily usable. A program such as Chrome Remote Desktop may provide a similar function.

For additional configurations, see the Remote Desktop connection FAQs.

Please report any errors to civrt@uwaterloo.ca. Please include screenshots in the request of any error messages.

Additional resources for graduate students

Please note, graduate students' supervisors may have private servers and/or assigned workstations. For more information, please contact your supervisor.