There may be times when you are away from your computer, but you need to access some data from it. Using Microsoft's Remote Desktop feature will allow you to easily accomplish this.

Prerequisites

RamsVPN - https://ts.vcu.edu/askit/network-services/rams-vpn
- NOTE: You will need Duo in order to achieve connecting to the VPN
Name of the Computer you are connecting to (steps below)
Access granted for remote access by Engineering IT (based on supervisor approval for graduate students)
A remote computer that is running Windows 10 or higher OR a Mac running a current version of OSX and using the latest version of Microsoft Remote Desktop available in the App Store. The operating system should be running the latest security and software updates.
Keep in mind, that when you are using Remote Desktop Connection (RDP), you CANNOT physically use the computer. Once you connect via RDP, the computer will be locked out.
In this guide, EGR-TESTCOMPUTER is used as a reference only. This will NOT work if you try it. Please use your ACTUAL computer and user name.

Steps to find Computer Name (on EGR computer)

Click on the Windows icon in the bottom right
Type the word about
Click on About your PC

4. Take note of PC Name

Steps to connect on a Windows machine

Connect to the VCU VPN using the Cisco Anyconnect Software (Instructions can be found here)
Click on the Windows icon in the bottom left and type mstsc , then select Remote Desktop Connection

3. In the Remote Desktop Connection box enter the computer name of the computer you are trying to connect to.
a. It is best to add .rams.adp.vcu.edu at the end. For example, egr-testcomputer.rams.adp.vcu.edu
4. Click the arrow next to Show Options and enter YOUR username as shown below. Be sure to include the RAMS\ (this is a backslash, not a forward slash) before your username.
DO NOT save your credentials. You may however save this connection to a location on your system (such as your Desktop or Documents folder) so that you can more readily access it if you wish.
5. Click Connect and you will be prompted to enter your password.

6. Once you have correctly entered your password and clicked ok you will be prompted with a certificate warning for the computer you are connecting to. Click Yes to proceed.

7. If everything was done correctly, you should now be logged into your remote computer.
8. After you log in, you may see the blue VCU banner. Just click OK after reading the verbiage, and you will be logged into your computer.

9. To end the session, click on the Windows icon in the bottom left > the Power icon > Disconnect

NOTE: If this is a shared computer, we recommend that you sign out. You can do this by clicking on the Windows icon > the VCU seal > Sign out

Steps to connect from a Mac computer

Connect to the VCU VPN using the Cisco Anyconnect Software (Instructions can be found here)
Go into the App Store and search for windows app. From here, download the Windows App app. For help on installing an app, look at https://support.apple.com/guide/app-store/find-buy-and-download-apps-fir9b2ea074e/mac.

If it asks about User Desktop experience, select Not now

3. Once the app is downloaded, open up the Windows App app, click on the plus sign in the top right, and select Add PC

4. Here, you will enter the computer earlier in the PC Name box and click on Add. It is best to include .rams.adp.vcu.edu at the end of the computer name. Leave everything else unchanged. For example egr-testcomputer.rams.adp.vcu.edu

5. Double click on your newly added computer.

6. Type in your eID and password. Make sure to add RAMS\ (this is a backslash, not a forward slash) before your eID.

7. If a certificate warning pops up, click on Continue

8. After you log in, you may see the blue VCU banner. Just click OK after reading the verbiage, and you will be logged into your computer.

9. To end the session, click on the Windows icon in the bottom left > the Power icon > Disconnect

NOTE: If this is a shared computer, we recommend that you sign out. You can do this by clicking on the Windows icon > the VCU seal > Sign out

Use Multiple Local Monitors with RDP

Default settings for connecting to a remote server are typically fine for most users, but those who require the use of multiple local monitors for their sessions will need to configure RDP to use multiple monitors in their remote sessions.

To configure this option in Windows, open Remote Desktop and click the "Options" button on the bottom left-hand corner of the window. Click on the "Display" tab and tick the checkbox that reads "Use all my monitors for the remote session". Once this is selected, you can then click "Connect" and proceed with connecting to the server as normal. If you would like this to be the default behavior for RDP, click on the "General" tab and click "Save" before connecting to your remote server.

To configure this option in macOS, open Remote Desktop and edit the connection you created for your desktop. Click on the "Display" tab and tick the checkbox that reads "Use all monitors". Once this is selected, you can then click "Save" to close the settings window. Perform your remote connection as normal.

If you have any questions about using Remote Desktop, please contact Engineering IT at egrfixit@vcu.edu.

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