Remote desktop programs for connecting to a Windows Researcher Desktop
Question(s)
Which remote desktop program should I use to connect to my Windows Researcher Desktop?
How do I use the
.rdp
file that downloads when I open my Windows Researcher Desktop from my RCP dashboard’?
Answer
You need to use a Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP) client to connect to your Windows Researcher Desktop. There are many programs that can do this depending on what computer you are using to connect to the Desktop.
From a Windows computer:
Use Microsoft Remote Desktop Connection. This application is installed on all Windows computers by default.
To connect to your Windows Researcher Desktop:
Go to the Research Computing Portal (if you’re off campus you’ll need to be connected to the University VPN)
Locate your Researcher Desktop in your RCP dashboard
Click the green ‘Open’ button
Open the downloaded
.rdp
file by clicking on it (double-click if selecting from Windows Explorer). This is a Remote Desktop profile, preconfigured to connect to your Researcher Desktop. We suggest movingresearch_desktop.rdp
to your Desktop folder so it’s easy to find and reconnect to your Researcher Desktop VM later.Remote Desktop Connection will open and you will see your Windows Researcher Desktop
If you do not believe it is installed on your computer, you can install it from Microsoft Store for free:
Open Start menu / Start-search bar and enter ‘Microsoft Store’
Open the Microsoft Store app
Search for 'Remote Desktop Connection'
Install the app
From a Mac OSX computer:
Use Microsoft Remote Desktop. It is free to install.
To install on a University provisioned Mac MOE:
Open Self Service app (it is in your dock bar or you can search for it using Command-space)
Login with your University credentials
Search for 'Microsoft Remote Desktop'
Click 'Install'
To install on a Standard Mac:
Open App Store (it is in your dock bar or you can search for it using Command-space)
Login with your Apple ID if you have not already done so
Search for 'Microsoft Remote Desktop'
Click 'Install'
To connect to your Windows Researcher Desktop:
Go to the Research Computing Portal (if you’re off campus you’ll need to be connected to the University VPN)
Locate your Researcher Desktop in your RCP dashboard
Click the green ‘Open’ button
Open the downloaded
.rdp
file by clicking on it. This is a Remote Desktop profile, preconfigured to connect to your Researcher Desktop. We suggest movingresearch_desktop.rdp
to your Desktop folder so it’s easy to find and reconnect to your Researcher Desktop VM later.Microsoft Remote Desktop will open and you will see your Windows Researcher Desktop
From a Linux computer:
Use Remmina.
If you are on a Ubuntu Linux computer, Remmina should already be installed.
If you do not have Remmina, see Remmina remote desktop client for instructions on how to install on your Linux distribution.
To connect to your Windows Researcher desktop:
Go to the Research Computing Portal (if you’re off campus you’ll need to be connected to the University VPN)
Locate your Researcher Desktop in your RCP dashboard
Click the green ‘Open’ button
Open the downloaded
.rdp
file by clicking on it. This is a Remote Desktop profile, preconfigured to connect to your Researcher Desktop. We suggest movingresearch_desktop.rdp
to your Desktop folder so it’s easy to find and reconnect to your Researcher Desktop VM later.Remina will open and you will see your Windows Researcher Desktop (you may have to first select Remina as the default program to open
.rdp
files)