This page covers remotely connecting to your Windows EECS desktops with options for transferring files. Show
If you are off campus, you will first need to connect to the UTK VPN before you can connect to your desktop. OIT has a a software download and instructions for setting up the VPN available here.
Below are instructions for remotely logging in to a EECS Windows computer from your own Windows computer.
If you have not yet setup the VPN and remote desktop connection, follow these instructions to set this up. If you have already set up the VPN, you can skip to the remote desktop instructions below.
Once you have followed the instructions below, the process for connecting to your desktop will be:
For modern versions of Windows, a remote desktop client called Remote Desktop Connection is available in the Start Menu. You can use this to connect to your desktop or save connection settings. Below are instructions: NOTE: You must be connected to the UTK VPN if you are off-campus.
Below are instructions for remotely logging in to a EECS Windows computer from your own MacOS computer.
If you have not yet setup the VPN and remote desktop connection, follow these instructions to set this up. If you have already set up the VPN, you can skip to the remote desktop instructions below.
Once you have followed the instructions below, the process for connecting to your desktop will be:
On MacOS, Microsoft has created an app in the app store called Microsoft Remote Desktop 10 that you can use to manage connections to Windows computers. Below are instructions: The connection should now appear in the main window of Microsoft Remote Desktop 10. You can connect by double clicking the computer. When it asks if you are sure, select Yes.
FreeRDP is a program that allows you to remote desktop from Linux. This tutorial assumes you are using X Windows System. If you are using a different Windows system, you may have to look into other tools within the FreeRDP package or other tools in general.
If you have not yet setup the VPN and remote desktop connection, follow these instructions to set this up. If you have already set up the VPN, you can skip to the remote desktop instructions below.
Once you have followed the instructions below, the process for connecting to your desktop will be:
On Windows 10, the "Remote Desktop" app is available through the Microsoft Store, and it's been designed to make it easier to connect and control other devices over the local network or internet. It's also the experience that is meant to replace the built-in legacy "Remote Desktop Connection" feature. The app is straightforward, but depending on how you need to connect, the app is only one piece of the puzzle, since you must also configure additional settings and forward the appropriate port in the router to successfully connect to other Windows 10 devices remotely. Also, there's a caveat. Although you can install the Remote Desktop app on any version on Windows 10, the remote desktop protocol that allows connections to a device is only available on Windows 10 Pro and business variants of the OS. Windows 10 Home doesn't allow remote connections. In this Windows 10 guide, we'll walk you through the steps to allow remote connections from within the local network or internet, and the steps to use the Remote Desktop app to start a session remotely. How to allow remote connections on Windows 10The Remote Desktop app is easy to use to connect to other devices. However, the configuration you need will depend on whether you're trying to connect in the local network or through the internet. Enable remote connections on Windows 10When trying to start a remote connection from within the local area network (LAN), you only need to make sure the computer you're trying to access has the option to allow remote desktop connections enabled. Control PanelTo enable remote connections on Windows 10, use these steps:
Once you complete the steps, remote desktop connections will be allowed on the device. Windows 10 will even add the necessary rules in the built-in Microsoft Defender Firewall, but you may need to configure the rules manually if you have a third-party firewall. Settings appYou can also enable the Remote Desktop feature using the Settings app with these steps:
If you're setting up a remote desktop using an internet connection, continue with the steps below. If you're trying to connect to another device within the local network, you can skip to the steps below, and continue with the start a remote desktop connection instructions. Enable remote connections on routerIf you have to access the computer over the internet, you will also have to configure the router (modem) to allow the remote connection. A process that also requires knowing the public address to contact the remote computer. Configure static IP address on Windows 10Computers usually get assigned dynamic IP addresses from the DHCP server (router), which means they can always change. If you plan to use remote desktop often, you may want to configure a static IP address to avoid reconfiguring port forwarding on the router when the computer gets a new address. Control PanelTo set a permanent IP address configuration, use these steps:
After you complete the steps, the new network configuration will apply, and the IP settings will never change. Some routers include a feature to make the current TCP/IP configuration static. If you want to use this option instead, you can consult your manufacturer support website for specific steps on how to complete this task. Determine network public IP addressYou'll also need the remote network's public IP address to contact the device over the internet. To find the IP address assigned by the Internet Service Provider (ISP), use these steps:
Usually, for residential customers, internet providers also offer dynamic public IP addresses, which means that your public IP address may change from time to time. If you need a more reliable solution, there are "Dynamic Domain Name System" (DDNS) services (such as DynDNS, OpenDNS, No-IP, Asus.com (for Asus routers)), which can track the public IP changes. Alternatively, you can also contact your ISP to request a static IP address, but it might costs you additional since this is typically a feature reserved for business. Forward port on routerYou must also forward the TCP port 3389 on the router to allow a remote connection over the internet to the computer in the local network. Quick note: The interface to change the router settings are different per manufacturer, and sometimes even per model. However, you can use the following instructions as a reference to configure your router. You can always check the manufacturer support website for more specific details. To forward a port on your router, use these steps:
Once you complete the steps, the port will open on the router, allowing remote desktop connections through the internet to that specific computer. How to establish remote desktop connection on Windows 10After setting up the computer and router, you can initiate a remote connection using the Remote Desktop app on Windows 10. Install Remote Desktop appIf you don't have the modern version of the Remote Desktop app, you'll need to install it from the Microsoft Store with these steps: Once you complete the steps, you can launch the app from within the Microsoft Store or Start menu. If the app isn't working correctly, or you want to try upcoming improvements and features, you can always download the preview version of the app. Start remote desktop connectionTo connect to a computer remotely, use these steps:
After you complete the steps, if you configured everything correctly, you should now be able to connect to the Windows 10 device. To terminate the session, you can close the window or click the three-dotted menu button from the top-middle, and then click the Disconnect button. Change app and connection settingsThe Remote Desktop app also allows you to customize various settings of the experience. Change general settingsThe Remote Desktop app comes with a settings page to change some configurations options or correct account settings. To change general settings, use these steps:
Using these settings, you can also prevision additional user accounts (with the plus + button) that you can later use to connect to other devices or as a different user. The Gateway option allows you to set a gateway server, but you'll rarely need to use this option. Also, the Group option allows you to group saved connections into different groups. Although you're likely never going to use this feature, it's a handy option to organize multiple devices connections. Change session settingsTo change the session settings for Remote Desktop, use these steps:
Alongside editing the account and session settings, you can also enable the option to show a preview of the remote desktop in the connection, which adds a visual queue to make it easier to find the correct connection. Change connection settingsTo edit the settings of a remote connection, use these steps:
Once you complete the steps, the settings will save and apply automatically. How to troubleshoot remote desktop connection on Windows 10The Remote Desktop app usually works without issues, but if you have followed all the steps and can't connect, you will need to troubleshoot the problem. Confirm firewall settingsWindows 10 should automatically open the required firewall ports when you enable remote desktop, but it might not always be the case. If the connection is failing, make sure that the firewall is allowing the Remote Desktop service. To enable remote desktop through the firewall, use these steps:
If you're using a third-party firewall or antivirus, you may want to disable these applications to see if you can connect. However, you may need to check the software support website for more specific details. Unblock remote connection portIf the settings are configured correctly, and you still can connect, there's a chance the internet provider is blocking the remote desktop port for security reasons. If this is the case, you may want to contact the ISP directly to resolve the issue. Use IP address, not the PC nameWhen using the Remote Desktop app, it's better to use the device's IP address instead of the computer name. Otherwise, you may stumble upon some issues. Also, when adding a new device, make sure to enter the appropriate IP address (as shown in the above steps). For example, use the local IP address to connect remotely from within the private network, or use the public IP address to connect over the internet. Confirm remote desktop serviceIt's also possible that you may not be able to connect because the required services are not running on Windows 10. To determine if the remote desktop service is running, use these steps:
After you complete the steps, you should be able to establish a remote session. Switch to Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4)Windows 10 can use both networking stacks, IP version 4 (IPv4) and version 6 (IPv6), but sometimes, it'll choose version 6 for the connection, which may cause problems with the remote desktop protocol (RDP). To set the IPv4 as the default networking stack on Windows 10, use these steps:
Once you complete the steps, you should now be able to connect using a remote connection. If you still can't establish a remote session, you can try the preview version of the Remote Desktop app (see the above steps) to determine if the problem could be a bug in the stable version of the app. In this guide, we outlined the steps to connect to a device inside a private network and through the internet, but allowing remote desktop connections (particularly through the internet) could be a security risk. Always be aware that having remote desktop enabled and opening ports could potentially allow malicious individuals to get unauthorized access to the computer. When using these instructions, use strong a password, and disable the remote desktop service and remove the port forwarding settings on the router when they aren't needed.
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