Remote Desktop connection

Connecting while off-campus

Install the University of À¶Ý®ÊÓƵÌýVirtual Private NetworkÌý(VPN) client (Cisco AnyConnect Secure Mobility Client).

  1. Open the Cisco AnyConnect Secure Mobility Client. Enter 'vpn.uwaterloo.ca' as the VPN server. ClickÌýConnect.
  2. In the pop-up login window, select the 'UW-General' profile from the group drop-down menu. Enter your WatIAM login credentials and clickÌýOK.

Note: Additional VPN assistance can be found through our Remote Desktop connection frequently asked questions (FAQs).

Video tutorial for Windows users

For more information, please see the information technology and systems (IST)Ìýknowledge articles:

  • Ìý

Note: CEE IT does not support Mac OS. If using Mac, please consult the link above for IST Mac OS Remote Desktop documentation.Ìý

Connecting whileÌýon-campus (or off-campus with VPN enabled)

In order to connect using remote desktop, locate the computer's hostnameÌýandÌýdomain name.

If the computer is in the Nexus or Civil domain, follow theÌýmanaged computerÌýinstructions.

If not, follow theÌýunmanaged computerÌýsteps.

Note:ÌýIf connecting to a server, the computer name and domain name can be found through your professor, or by contacting CEE-IT.

Managed computer:

Retrieving Computer Hostname and Domain:

The computer may have affixed to it a white label with black letters denoting its hostname (i.eÌýCEENEX00,ÌýBRIDGE00, etc.).Ìý

A white label with black lettering denoting the computer name "civil10"

Alternatively, users may follow the steps below, to find both the hostname and the domain:

  1. Click the Search BarÌýandÌýsearch for "About", then clickÌýAbout this PC.Ìý
    Using the Windows 11 search function, with the query "About". "About this PC" pops up.
  2. Find the Computer Name and Domain.ÌýThe domain is connected to theÌýFull device name, i.e. ".NEXUS.UWATERLOO" indicates this PC is on the NEXUS domain.Ìý
    Under System > About in Windows 11 settings, there is a red box highlighting the fields related to "Computer Name" and "Domain".

Starting a Remote Desktop:

  1. ClickÌýtheÌýSearch Bar, then type "Remote Desktop Connection". Select theÌýRemote Desktop connectionÌýoption from the list of results.
  2. In theÌýComputer field, type the hostnameÌýof the computer to connect to, then clickÌýConnect.
    remote desktop connection connect button
  3. Type in the credentials for the domain intoÌýUsernameÌýandÌýPassword, then selectÌýOK.Ìý
    Note:ÌýTheÌýdomain can be changed by typing in the domain name followed by a backslash, then typing in your user name into theÌýUsernameÌýfield (i.e NEXUS\username). The password should be the same as your login password (which mayÌýdiffer fromÌýyour WatIAM password).
    Windows 11 Security "Enter your credentials" pop-up, prompting username and password input.
  4. If the remote computer is not verified, a screen similar to the one below will appear. Select YesÌýto connect. To prevent this message from reoccurring, select the box inÌýfront of 'Don't ask me again for connections to this computer'.
    Remote desktop connection window
  5. The screen of the remote computer should now be opened.

For additional information, go toÌý.

Unmanaged computer:

If you have an unmanaged computer, the Remote Desktop connection is not easily usable. A program such asÌý may provide a similar function.

For additional configurations, see theÌýRemote Desktop connection FAQs.

Please report any errors toÌýcivrt@uwaterloo.ca. Please include screenshots in the request of any error messages.

Additional resources for graduate students

Please note, graduate students' supervisors may have private servers and/or assigned workstations. For more information, please contact your supervisor.Ìý