These instructions are for users to remotely access a campus Windows computer from a UMS-owned and personally-owned Mac computer.
Please note that Microsoft Windows App is never pre-installed on a Macs. It must be manually installed by the user. Failing to install Microsoft Windows App manually is the most common reason a Mac user contacts the Help Desk for assistance in trying to access a campus windows computer.
It assumes you are already connected to the Remote Access VPN. Refer to How to Connect Remotely using the Remote Access VPN (Staff/Faculty) for assistance with connecting to the Remote Access VPN. It also assumes Remote Desktop has been enabled on the computer that you will connect to remotely.
Instructions
Installation of Remote Desktop on a UMS-owned Mac
- Ensure the Mac is connected to Viscosity.
- Open "UMS Application Catalog".
- Find the Microsoft Windows App in the UMS Application Catalog by searching for "windows".
- Click the Install button below the "Microsoft Windows App" Icon.
- Allow the program to finish installing, once installation finishes, the Install button will change to say Open. Click Open.
For personally-owned Macs Only use the next 3 steps before continuing.
- For safety and security use this link to find the correct Windows App: Here
- Click the cloud download icon to the right of the application name.
- Click Open and finish configuring Windows App.
- Configure Windows App (previously Remote Desktop)
- The first time the user clicks Open or double-clicks the application to launch it, a pop-up window will appear letting them know the App will need access to their camera and microphone if they are going to use it with the remote computer. Click Continue.
- When prompted for permissions to access camera, click either OK or Don't Allow depending if you will need to use them with the computer that the user will connect. If in doubt, click OK.
- When prompted for permissions for to access microphone, click either OK or Don't Allow depending if you will need to use them with the computer that the user will connect. If in doubt, click OK.
- Windows App will finish opening.
- On the Devices tab, click the plus (+) Add icon.
- For the PC name, type in the hostname (on UAD computers this will be the Serial#.uad.maine.edu) or IP Address
- Then type in a Friendly name.
- Then click the Add button in the lower right.
- Then right-click on the Computer connection that was just configured to open a pop-up menu
- Right click for Mac single button mouse: Control-click: Press and hold the Control key while you click an item
- Click Connect.
- When prompted, enter "uad\" plus the username (just the username, not including "@maine.edu") and password for the account on the remote PC.
- If you have a long username, try long.username@uad.maine.edu without the "uad\" if front instead.
- Since real certificates have not been issued, a warning will appear questioning if you want to continue. Click Continue.
- The remote computer's desktop will appear on the local computer in full screen mode.
- Hover near the top to access Microsoft Windows App menus, including option to exit full screen mode.
Environment
Web enabled, VPN connected MacOS desktop or laptop.
Steps-to-take if this does not work
- Ensure the Mac is actively connected to the Remote Access VPN
- Ensure the Desktop Computer that you're trying to connect to has Remote Desktop enabled and is turned on.
- Contact IT Support or submit an email to help@maine.edu
- Information that will be needed: whether the computer user is connecting from is University-owned or non-University owned
- Operating System and version (How to find OS version MAC)
- Serial #/hostname of computer that is trying to connect to remotely
- User account (@maine.edu account) experiencing problem
- ....any other specifics necessary to the nature of this problem
Microsoft Windows App Links
Client for Mac OsX
Client for iOS