In most cases you may not have the same software at home that you have on your work machine. By using remote desktop, you can connect to your PC no matter where you are provided you have your work machine's IP address and have enabled the settings listed below.

Windows

Step 1: Set up on campus

1. Enable the remote desktop application on your work computer
(You’ll only need to do this once)

On your work computer, click Start and search for Remote desktop settings. Then ensure that Enable Remote Desktop is enabled.

Note that the above steps apply to Windows 10. If you’re using an older version of Windows:

  1. Start > right-click Computer > Properties.
  2. Select the Remote settings link in the left hand panel.
  3. Ensure the Remote tab is selected and under the Remote Desktop heading, select the Allow connections from computers running any version of Remote Desktop (less secure) checkbox.
  4. Click Apply > OK.

2. Obtain your work computer's computer name.

Click Start and search for Computer name. In the Device specifications section, take note of the Device name.

Note that the above steps apply to Windows 10. If you’re using an older version of Windows:

  1. Click Start > right click Computer.
  2. Select Properties.
  3. In the Computer name, domain, and workgroup settings section of the window, take note of the Computer name.


3. Prepare your computer for the remote desktop session

To successfully connect to your work PC, you’ll need to leave your work computer switched on. Always ensure that you’ve prepared the computer before you leave for the day:

  1. Adjust your power management settings so that your computer does not sleep, hibernate, or go into a standby state after a set period of time. Also ensure that your computer doesn't turn off your hard drive after a certain period of time.
    (You’ll only need to do this once)
     
  2. When you’re ready to leave the office, lock your computer (press Windows key + L on your keyboard). Do not switch it off.
     
  3. Log on to your home computer and do one of the following:
  •  If you have already installed the UCT VPN AnyConnect client on your machine, first log on to the application with your UCT credentials and then open the remote desktop client to access the software.
  • If you haven't yet installed the UCT VPN AnyConnect client, follow these step-by-step instructions. Once the application has been successfully installed, log on to the application  with your UCT credentials. Thereafter, open the remote desktop client to access your work computer.

Apple Mac

Step 1: Set up on campus

1. Enable the remote desktop application on your work computer
    (You’ll only need to do this once)

  1. Open Sharing preferences by clicking the Apple icon > System Preferences > Sharing.
  2. Select the Remote Management checkbox and do one of the following:
    • Select All users to let all users on your network connect to your Mac using Apple Remote Desktop.
    • Select Only these users, click Add and select the users who can share your Mac using Apple Remote Desktop.
  3. Click Options and select the tasks remote users are permitted to perform.
  4. Click Computer Setting to select options for your Mac.
     

2. Obtain the IP address of your work computer.

  1. Open the Finder menu and click Go > Applications > Utilities > Terminal.
  2. Enter ifconfig in the terminal window and press Return.
    • In the output, there will be lines that include innet x.x.x.x netmask 0xffffff00 broadcast a.b.c.d
      (The IP address of the interface is the four numbers denoted by x.x.x.x in the lines described above.)

NOTE: Your IP address may change each time you restart your computer, so you'll need to repeat this process before you leave the office.

 

3. Prepare your computer for the remote desktop session

To successfully connect to your work PC, you’ll need to leave your work computer switched on. Always ensure that you’ve prepared the computer before you leave for the day:

  1. Adjust your power management settings so that your computer does not sleep, hibernate, or go into a standby state after a set period of time. Also ensure that your computer doesn't turn off your hard drive after a certain period of time.
    (You’ll only need to do this once)
     
  2. When you’re ready to leave the office, lock your computer (depending on the model you can either lock your Mac by clicking Control + Shift + Eject or Control + Shift + Power). Do not switch it off.
     
  3. Log on to your home computer and do one of the following:
  • If you have already installed the UCT VPN AnyConnect client on your machine, first log on to the application with your UCT credentials and then open the remote desktop client to access the software.
  • If you haven't yet installed the UCT VPN AnyConnect client, follow these step-by-step instructions. Once the application has been successfully installed, log on to the application with your UCT credentials. Thereafter, open the remote desktop client to access your work computer.