Remote Desktop

Setup

Finding the IP Address on your at-work computer

• You will need the IP address of the computer you are trying to remotely access.

macOS

• Open System Preferences and click on "Network"

  

• Click on "Ethernet" on the left-hand side, and then locate your IP address as shown below.

  

Windows 10

• Open the Settings window by going to: Start -> Settings

  

• Click "Network & Internet"

  

• Click "Ethernet" in the left-hand side.

  

• Click on the Connection that is connected.

  

• Scroll down and find your "IPv4 Address" This is your computer's IP address.

  

Setting a Password on your at-work Computer

• The computer you are trying to remotely access MUST have a password set otherwise Remote Access will not work.
• If you already have a password set, you can skip this step.

macOS

• Open System Preferences and click on "Users & Groups"

  

• Click on your User account on the left, then click "Change Password..."

  

• If you had an old password, enter it, otherwise leave that field blank.
• Enter your new password twice and click "Change Password"

  

Windows 10

• Open the Settings window by going to: Start -> Settings

  

• Click "Accounts"

  

• Click "Sign-in options"

  

• Click on "Password" and then "Add"

  

• Enter your new password twice, along with a password hint, then click "Next". One the next page, click "Finish".

  

• Your user account now has a password.

Remote Connection Settings on your at-work computer

• You will have to correctly set the following settings on the computer you are trying to remotely access to allow it.

macOS

Enable Screen Sharing

• Open System Preferences and click on "Sharing"

  

• Check the box for "Screen Sharing" to turn it on. Also make sure that it is set to Allow access for: All users.

  

Windows 10

Enable Remote Access

• Open the Settings window by going to: Start -> Settings

  

• Click "System"

  

• Click "Remote Desktop" in the left-hand side and then Click the slider to turn the option for "Enable Remote Desktop" from "Off" to "On".

  

• A window will pop up asking if you want to Enable Remote Desktop? Click "Confirm"

  

Change Sleep Settings

• Next, you have to change your sleep settings so that your computer stays awake to access. Click on "Power & sleep" at the left-hand side of the window.

  

• Change both the "Screen" and "Sleep" settings to "Never".

  

Installing and Using Cisco VPN on your at-home computer

• Your remote computer MUST be connected to the VPN in order to use Remote Desktop

macOS

• Follow Tech Services' guide for installing and using Cisco VPN, located at this link: https://answers.uillinois.edu/illinois/page.php?id=47629

Windows 10

• Follow Tech Services' guide for installing and using Cisco VPN, located at this link: https://answers.uillinois.edu/illinois/page.php?id=47507

How to use

• Once the above setup is complete, follow these directions to connect remotely to your at-work computer.

FROM macOS at home TO Windows at work

• Download Microsoft Remote Desktop 10 from the App Store, located at this link: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/microsoft-remote-desktop-10/id1295203466?mt=12
• Go to your Applications and open "Microsoft Remote Desktop 10"

  

• Click on "Add PC"

  

• Enter the IP address you collected from the computer you would like to remotely access for "PC Name". Choose a nickname for the connection next to "Friendly name". Click "Add".

  

• Double-click the computer connection that now shows under PCs.

  

• Enter the username and password for the computer you are trying to connect to. Click "Continue".

  

• In the window that pops up, click "Continue" to connect.

  

• The desktop of the computer you are remotely accessing should appear and you can do work on it normally.

FROM Windows at home TO Windows at work

• Open the Windows Menu, scroll down and click on "Windows Accessories", and then click on "Remote Desktop Connection"

  

• In the window that opens, enter the IP address you found earlier into the box for "Computer". Click "Connect".

  

• Another window will pop up asking for your credentials. These credentials are the username and password for the computer you are trying to connect to.

  

• When the window below pops up, click "Yes" to connect.

  

• The desktop of the computer you are connecting to will pop up, and you can access it as though you are sitting in front of that computer.

FROM macOS at home TO macOS at work

• Download VNC Viewer at this link: https://www.realvnc.com/en/connect/download/viewer/
• Go to where you downloaded it to and double click the .dmg file.
• Drag the "VNC Viewer" Logo to the "Applications" folder in the box that pops up to add it to your applications.

  

• Go to your applications and click on VNC Viewer to open it.

  

• Check the box to accept the Terms and Conditions, then click "OK"

  

• Enter the IP address for the computer you are trying to access remotely in the box that says "Enter a VNC Server address or search" and then click the enter key.

  

• Click "Continue" on the next screen that pops up

  

• An authentication window will pop up. Enter the following information:
  • Username: Your username on the computer you are trying to remotely access
  • Password: Your password on the computer you are trying to remotely access
• Click "OK"

  

• The remote computers desktop should now be showing so you can work on it.

FROM Windows at home TO macOS at work

• Download VNC Viewer at this link: https://www.realvnc.com/en/connect/download/viewer/
• Go to where you downloaded it to and double click the .exe file.
• Select the language you want and click “OK”.

  

• When the installer opens, click “Next” to continue with installation.

  

• Check the box to accept the License Agreement, then click "Next"

  

• In the next window, don’t change anything, just click “Next”

  

• Click “Install” to install the program. When it completes, click “Finish” to finish the installation

  

• Enter the IP address for the computer you are trying to access remotely in the box that says "Enter a VNC Server address or search" and then click the enter key.

  

• Click "Continue" on the next screen that pops up

  

• An authentication window will pop up. Enter the following information:
  • Username: Your username on the computer you are trying to remotely access
  • Password: Your password on the computer you are trying to remotely access
• Click "OK"

  

• The remote computers desktop should now be showing so you can work on it.