Connecting to a computer remotely

Table of Contents

  1. How do I connect to my computer if I'm on campus
  2. How do I connect to my computer if I'm not on-campus - Windows
  3. How do I connect to my computer if I am not on campus - Mac

How do I connect to my computer if I'm on campus

In order to connect using a remote desktop, you need to find out the computer's hostname.

Finding the hostname and domain of your computer

If the computer is managed it will have a sticker on it with its hostname and IP Address.

computer with a sticker

Otherwise, follow the steps below:

  1. Click Start, followed by searching computer and then clicking System, or search and click on Control Panel, then find and click System.

 

Windows start menu is open, computer has been typed in and the System option is highlighted

2. Find computer name and domain under Computer name.

System properties information windows

Starting Remote Desktop

1. Click Start, followed by typing Remote Desktop Connection in the search box. Select the Remote Desktop Connection in the list of results.

2. In the Computer field, type the hostname.uwaterloo.ca of the computer that you want to connect to, followed by clicking Connect.  

Remote desktop connection window has Computer or hostname input bar and Connect button outlined in red boxes
  1. Type in your domain credentials into Username and Password, followed by selecting OK​- Notice that as I'm login to the computer using my credentials it will be there as a default I just have to type my password. If you are using a laptop you need to click on more choices and select Use a different account then typing in your username into the Username field (i.e NEXUS\username)
Credentials secreen
  1. If the remote computer is not verified, a screen similar to the one below will appear. Simply click 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 asks if you want to connect anyway even though ID of remote computer cannot be verified. Don't ask me again for connections to this computer option and the Yes button are outlined with red boxes.
  1. You should now see the remote screen of the computer. Note you need to have permissions to Remote login to the computer, contact MME Helpdesk

Back to table of contents

 How do I connect to my computer if I'm not on-campus - Windows

  1. Install the University of Waterloo Virtual Private Network (VPN) client.
  2. Login using your nexus credentials (i.e. NEXUS\username).
  3. For more information, follow the instructions on our webpage VPN access
  4. ​Make sure the VPN client is enabled and connect before trying to access a remote desktop.
  5. Name of the VPN appliance is cn-vpn.uwaterloo.ca
  6. Open the remote desktop connection app and type your computer name eg. mechpc67.uwaterloo.ca
  7. Click on connect

Back to table of contents

How do I connect to my computer if I am not on campus - Mac

Here are the steps to connect to the computer:

  1. Connect to the VPN
  2. Download Remote Desktop Connection (you can download it from apple store: Microsoft Remote Desktop for Mac OS
  3. Follow this video for the connection: How to use Microsoft Remote Desktop  (on this video the work with the IP address. Use the host name
  4.  Enter nexus\your userid and your password when ask for credentials

Back to table of contents