Purpose

The purpose of this document is to instruct the reader on how to connect to their work computer using Remote Desktop (RDP)

Requirements

  1. You MUST be connected to the VPN
  2. You must be running the most recent version of Windows, macOS, or your Linux OS with all security updates applied.
  3. You must have an up-to-date anti-virus software on your computer.
    1. If you do not have anything, these are the university recommendations
    2. https://tech.rochester.edu/download-antivirus-software/
  4. If you’re using macOS, you must have Microsoft Remote Desktop installed from the App Storeimage
  5. You MUST know the ESM number of your computer. This will be on the label we’ve provided and would be formatted ESM-####
    1. If you cannot find the label or cannot remember the number, we can find your computer and tell you the number and/or put the label in a more convenient location
  6. Your computer MUST be powered on.

Steps

Windows

Windows is by far the simpler way to connect using remote desktop.

  1. Open Remote Desktop Connection from the start menu
    1. image
  2. In the Window that appears, enter the ESM number of your computer followed by ur.rochester.edu
    1. It should look like esm-####.ur.rochester.eduimage
  3. In the dialog that appears, select “More Options”
    1. image
  4. Enter “ur\” followed by your username and your password in the field
    1. image
  5. After selecting “Okay”, you should be connected

macOS

Using RDP on macOS requires the Microsoft Remote Desktop app form the App Store

  1. Open the Microsoft Remote Desktop Application
  2. Click the button with a plus sign on it
  3. In the drop down select the “Add PC” option.
    1. image
    2. Note: This authors RDP application has several machines configured already, yours is unlikely to look like this the first time you open it
  4. In the “Add PC” menu, enter your esm number followed by ur.rochester.edu
    1. It should look like esm-####.ur.rochester.edu
    2. image
  5. Optionally set a “Friendly name”
  6. Select “Add” and the menu will close.
  7. A tile will appear that represents your PC
  8. Double click the tile and a dialog will appearimage
  9. Enter your your username in the format ur\username and your passwordimage
  10. After selecting Continue you should be connected to your computer.