If you are using Windows 10, 8.1, or 7 at a remote location, you can use Windows Remote Desktop to securely access your Windows work computer off-campus. You will first need to set up your Windows work computer to allow incoming Remote Desktop Connections:
If you are a staff member at University of Otago, Wellington, see VPN usage at University of Otago, Wellington (staff login required).
Windows 10
- Go to your Start menu and type Allow Remote Access to your Computer into the Search box.
- Click on the result from the Control Panel.
- In the System Properties dialogue box, in the Remote tab, under Remote Desktop select the Allow remote connections to this computer radio button and the Allow connections only from computers running Remote Desktop with Network Level Authentication check box and click OK.
- Click on your Settings cog, System > Power & Sleep. Make sure the Sleep option is set to Never.
- Still in Settings, go to About and note down the device name (e.g. Joe_Bloggs_PC). You will need this to access your computer remotely.
Connecting from the remote computer
- Go to the Search box on your remote computer and type in Remote Desktop Connection to bring up the desktop app.
- Type the fully qualified domain name* into the Computer field, and click Connect.
- A Windows dialogue box will prompt you for authorisation. Enter your username and password in the format registry\username or student\username and your usual password. You may need to click on Use a different account if other credentials are already populated.
*To connect to the desktop you will need the fully qualified domain name — see the article below for instructions:
Fully qualified domain name for remote desktop connection (RDP)
If you have any queries, or if you want to enable extra security by only allowing connections from the Otago VPN service, contact AskOtago