What You Will Need
Use Microsoft Remote Desktop for Mac to connect to a remote PC or virtual apps and desktops made available by your admin. With Microsoft Remote Desktop, you can be productive no matter where you are. GET STARTED Configure your PC for remote access using the information at https://aka.ms/rdsetup. For example, your Windows PC may be a super beefy machine you use to do compiling or rendering. You can use remote desktop to check on a job’s progress or start tasks without actually being physically at the machine. Connecting to a Mac from a Windows PC. Connecting to a Mac from a Windows PC is a little different. Select the Local Resources tab and then select Settings. In the Remote audio section, select Play on remote computer. I works, I have connected to a remote Windows 10 computer from a Mac mini M1. No lagging issues at all BUT the text and graphics of the remote computer is very blurry, the fonts seem fuzzy. I dont get that on my older Intel based MacBook Pro or my Win10 PC. If you want to share a configuration you can select the target under My Desktops and either right-click and select Export or from the Microsoft Remote Desktop File menu select Export. The file that contains the information shown in the Microsoft Remote Desktop window, sans any passwords which are stored in your Keychain, is located at.
You will need 3 passwords for this: Your Apple ID password, your UCI HS password and the Administrator password for your Apple Computer.
How to Download
Mac RDP Configuration
- You will need an Apple ID/iTunes account
- Go Here: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/microsoft-remote-desktop/id714464092 or Search 'Microsoft Remote Desktop' in the Mac App Store to download the program.
- Locate and 'Double-Click' the downloaded program located in your applications folder.
OR
If your Apple workstation is managed by UCIHealth you can download the program from the Self-Service portal.
Adding the Gateway
From the 'Microsoft Remote Desktop' drop-down menu, select 'Preferences…'. Click on the 'Gateway' tab and on the bottom left click the plus (+) sign to create a new gateway. Then input the settings as seen below, ensure you leave the User account setting as is. When finished, click the red 'X' located on the top left to close the window and exit.
Configuring the Server
When opened for the first time, you will need to click the plus button (+). Under PC Name, enter the static IP Address followed by any additional settings. Leave the user account setting as is and set the Gateway to 'tsgate'. When finshed, click on 'Add'.
Initiating the Remote Desktop Session
At the main screen of the Microsoft Remote Desktop app, you may now click on the 'start' button to initiate the connection following the steps below.
- The first time you connect to your remote computer, it will show you show certificate, click on the 'Always Trust...' check box, then click continue.
- You will then be asked to authenticate with your Apple Computer Administrator password. This password *may* be blank and you can simply click the 'update settings' button. If leaving the password blank doesn't work, it may be your iTunes password or another that was entered when the computer was setup for the first time.
Once you click the 'update settings' button, you will then need to authenticate with DUO if you are outside the UCIHealth network. Once authenticated a connection to your remote computer will be established.
Topics Map > WindowsTopics Map > Mac
Sharing your screen remotely is a convenient way to access another computer as if you’re sitting in front of it. OS X and Windows have this ability built right into them, meaning you can easily share your Mac’s screen with Windows PCs, and vice versa.
Connecting to Windows PC Clients from a Mac
To connect to a Windows PC, you must first turn on remote connections. Open the System Properties and click the “Remote” tab, then make sure “Allow remote connections to this computer” is enabled.
You also want to make sure you install the Microsoft Remote Desktop client on your Mac. It is available in the App Store.
Remote Desktop will be installed in your Mac’s Application’s folder. In our example, we’ve already set up a user profile, which is ready for action. Let’s take a moment, however, to click “Edit” and show you what’s involved.
Next to “Connection name” we give it a friendly name while the “PC name” is either the name we gave our target PC or its IP address.
We don’t worry about configuring a gateway because we’re connecting to our PC within our local network. Also, if you do not want to enter your user name and password every time you connect, you can add them to the “Credentials.” Not entering any credentials means that when you connect to your Windows machine, you will need to log into an account.
If you want to know what your PC’s name and/or IP address is, you need to check. Use the keyboard shortcut “Windows + R” and then type “cmd” to open a command prompt. In the command prompt, type “ipconfig” and hit “Return.” You want to use the IPv4 address it gives you.
If you can’t remember what you named your computer, you can find that information on the “System” control panel.
The rest of the Remote Desktop connection’s settings concern resolution, colors, and full screen options.
When you connect to a new client, you’ll likely see a Verify Certificate dialog. Click “Continue” to connect.
If you don’t want to see this warning dialog in the future, click “Show Certificate” and then check the “Always trust …” option as shown below.
To confirm changes to your certificate trust settings, you will need to enter your system password.
Remember, if you didn’t previously enter anything in the connection credentials, you will see the login screen when you first connect. Once you’ve successfully connected to your Windows PC from your Mac, your Windows desktop will appear.
As we mentioned, being able to connect to a Windows machine is a pleasant convenience. For example, your Windows PC may be a super beefy machine you use to do compiling or rendering. You can use remote desktop to check on a job’s progress or start tasks without actually being physically at the machine.
Microsoft Remote Desktop Client Mac
Connecting to a Mac from a Windows PC
Microsoft Remote Desktop Mac Display Settings
Connecting to a Mac from a Windows PC is a little different. You’re not going to be able to use Remote Desktop, but that’s okay because there’s a free client called RealVNC viewer that does the trick nicely.
Just like with Windows, you first have to set up your Mac for screen sharing. Open the “Sharing” preference panel and check the box next to “Screen Sharing.”
Click “Computer Settings…” and make sure “VNC viewers may control screen with password” is checked. Then enter a simple password.
The VNC Viewer requires installation, but you don’t have to sign up for an account to use it.
Recall from the earlier screenshot that our Mac’s screen can be accessed at 192.168.0.118 or Matt-Air.local. If you’re unsure how to access your Mac, go back to your Sharing preferences and double-check the information on the Screen Sharing settings.
We enter “192.168.0.118” in our VNC client and leave the encryption as it is.
We return to our connection and click the “Connect” button. An authentication box will appear where you will need to enter the simple password you created in the Sharing preferences on your Mac.
When you connect to the target Mac, you will also need to log into a (presumably yours) user account, just like we had to do with Windows (if we didn’t supply our credentials).
Once logged in, your Mac desktop will now appear in the VNC Viewer window in the same state as you left it.
If you mouse to the top-middle of the window, you can spawn extra controls, which when you hover will give you a tooltip explaining what each one does.
You’ll find handy shortcuts to close and save the connection, as well as to change options, and a full-screen button so your shared desktop fills the screen.
On the Mac side of things, a Screen Sharing icon will appear in the menu bar. This lets you quickly and easily access the Screen Sharing preferences or disconnect clients.
It’s important to remember that sharing a computer screen is really only suited for short bits of work. If you were trying to remotely repair something or show another user how to do something, it’s ideal, but to get any meaningful work done, not so much. You will always experience a little bit of lag and stutter, and there’s not a whole lot you can do about that.
Like we said, however, it’s not intended for heavy-duty work. Keep in mind also, we’re only sharing our screens locally, which means that if you leave the house, say to go get coffee, and you realize you need to connect to a machine at home, you’ll need to know how to connect to it through your router.