Microsoft Remote Desktop for Windows
Please note that Microsoft Remote Desktop should only be used for connecting to office computers on campus running Windows. For access to library databases and online journals from off-campus, use the library instructions for EZProxy instead. To access tamba and other file shares (zep, tcdata, tbos) from off-campus, please use the Win Forticlient VPN instead. A staff guide to working remotely is also available.
1.) First, you will need to set your MFA Authentication to default to the Microsoft Authenticator App (at this time, this is the only method you can use with MS Remote Desktop). To change your default authentication to the Authenticator App:
1.a) Login to https://aka.ms/mfasetup
1.b) Select Security Info in the left navigation (if it isn’t selected already). For Default sign-in method click the Change link.
1.c) Select Microsoft Authenticator – notification from the drop down menu. If you do not see this as an option from the list, you will need to add this method. Close this window, click the plus symbol Add Method to add another method and follow the instructions on the screen.
2.) Ensure that your office computer can allow for remote access and you know the Computer name. (If this has already been done, skip to step 6 to continue setup.)
3.) On the desktop of the office computer you will be remoting into, right click on This PC and select Properties.
4.) Note the Full computer name listed. You will need this name to setup remote access.
5.) Click on Advanced System Settings.
6.) Click on the Remote tab. Check the option Allow connections from computers running any version of Remote Desktop (less secure). NOTE: Your office computer’s Power and Sleep settings may need to be adjusted so the computer does not automatically shut down/sleep when not in use.
Close these windows and switch to the Windows computer you will be remoting in with.
7.) On the Windows computer you will be remoting in with, click on the Start button on the bottom left and in the search field, type mstsc and click on the application or press Enter to open it.
8.) Click on the Show Options button on the bottom left of the window. Enter the following information:
- Computer: computername.cmpcntr.tc.trincoll.edu (replace computername with your office computer name from step 4)
- User name: cmpcntr\username (replace username with your username)
9.) Click on the Advanced tab. Click on the Settings button.
10.) Check the option Use these RD Gateway server settings. Enter the following information:
- Server name: rdg.trincoll.edu
- Login method: Ask for password (NTLM)
- Uncheck the option Bypass RD Gateway server for local settings
- Check the option Use my RD Gateway credentials for the remote computer
11.) Click OK to exit out of this window. Click on the General tab. Click Save. Click Connect to connect to your office computer. When prompted approve MFA sign in.
FAQ: What about Android/Chromebook devices?
Follow steps 1 – 5 above. Then do the following on the Android/Chromebook device:
6.) Download Microsoft Remote Desktop from the Play Store.
7.) Click on the “+” on the top right and select Desktop. Enter the following information:
- PC Name: computername.cmpcntr.tc.trincoll.edu (replace computername with your office computer name from step 3)
8.) For username, select Add User Account
- User name: cmpcntr\username (replace username with your username)
- Password: Your Trinity password
9.) Save and click on the desktop.
FAQ: I have 2 monitors at home. How can I use both with Remote Desktop?
- Open Microsoft Remote Desktop and click on Show Options on the bottom left corner of the window.
- Click on the Display tab and check the option Use all my monitors for the remote session.
- Click Connect to proceed. If you would like this to be the default behavior, click on the General tab and click Save before connecting to your remote server.
