Can I access my computer from off-campus?

Owned by Sean Stockburger (Unlicensed)
Last updated: Jun 01, 2021
4 min read

It is possible to connect to many campus desktop computers from off-campus if they are running Windows, but it is not a practice we recommend if it is possible for you to work any other way.

You do not need to connect to your campus computer to do any of the following:

  • Access your email, OneDrive, or other Office 365 resources

  • Access Canvas, Banner, or edit your department’s web page

  • Access files stored on a network share like the P: Drive, U: Drive, or S: Drive.

Remote access might be the only solution if you need to run software that can’t be installed on your home computer because of compatibility or licensing restrictions. We can’t guarantee that you will be able to access your campus computer, or that the experience will be usable. The experience can vary depending on your home computer and home internet connection.

Instructions for configuring your campus computer

Before you can connect to your campus computer, you need to make sure it is configured to allow remote desktop connections. If you do not have permission to modify these settings, you may need to have your technical support staff configure the settings for you.

From your campus Windows computer:

  1. Click START and type, “Remote Desktop Settings”

    Click to open the Remote Desktop Settings

  2. Enable Remote Desktop if it is not already enabled. Note the PC Name listed under “How to connect to this PC.”

     

  3. Click the link to Select users that can remotely access this PC. Your WWU\username should already have access. If not, click the ADD button and type your username.

  4. Click the Check Names button to select your username, and then click the OK button.

  5. Close the Remote Desktop Settings window.

  6. Click START and type “Power Settings” and hit ENTER

  7. On the Power & Sleep screen, change the setting for Sleep to NEVER

  8. Close the Power & Sleep window

Connecting from off-campus

  • Some Windows computers have the Remote Desktop Connection app already installed. If not, you can download the Microsoft Remote Desktop app from the Microsoft Store.

  • macOS users can install the Microsoft Remote Desktop 10 app from the Apple App Store.

  • There are also mobile app versions for iOS and Android that are available from the Apple App Store and Google Play Store.

  1. From your off-campus computer, first connect to Western’s VPN using these instructions.

  2. Open the Remote Desktop Connection app (On Windows click START and type “Remote Desktop Connection” to find the app)

  3. Enter the computer name you wrote down from Step 2 under “Instructions for configuring your campus computer.” The name should be in the format of computername.univ.dir.wwu.edu

     

  4. Enter your username as wwu\username

  5. Click the CONNECT button

  6. Enter your password when prompted.

     

  7. If prompted with a certificate warning, click YES (and check the box “Don’t ask me again..” if you want to avoid future prompts.

     

  8. Once you are connected, your office computer should appear and you can login as if you were sitting at that computer.

  9. When you are finished, close the Remote Desktop application (your workstation will lock automatically) and disconnect from VPN.

 

Remember to lock or disconnect from your computer when you aren’t using it. If you will not be using it for an extended period, please disconnect from Remote Desktop and VPN. Our VPN connections are limited.

Video Conferencing and Remote Desktop do not mix well! If you are planning to join an online meeting using Teams, Zoom or Skype for Business: Disconnect from Remote Desktop first and connect to the meeting using your home computer without Remote Desktop. If you connect to a meeting over Remote Desktop, the camera will show your empty office chair, and you may not be able to hear the audio or be heard by your microphone.

Troubleshooting Remote Desktop Connections

If you are not able to connect to your computer, first check to make sure you are connected to VPN, and that you typed the computer name correctly. If you still can’t connect, it’s possible that your campus computer powered off. You may need to visit your office to make sure the computer is powered on, and that you wrote down the correct computer name.

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