How to Connect your Mac to remote Windows Computer via Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP)

Steps to complete on the remote Mac

Microsoft Remote Desktop for Mac & Cisco AnyConnect VPN are required on the Mac. Check your applications, if missing install these apps.

Get the Remote Desktop client

Download Microsoft Remote Desktop from the App Store or from Microsoft with the URL listed below.

Microsoft Remote Desktop for Mac

Download/Install if needed. Connect using the UT VPN service

Getting started with UT VPN

Start the VPN aka Cisco Any Connect Secure Mobility Client if you are off campus

Steps to complete on the Windows campus computer

Configure Campus PC for Remote User

UT Austin Windows computers are not set up for Remote Users by default. Please contact LAITS to be set up as a Remote User.

Identify the fully qualified domain name (FQDN) for the Windows campus computer.

The name should be in this format: Dept-tag.austin.utexas.edu (IE: ECON-123456.austin.utexas.edu)

LAITS recommends the campus computer you intend to connect to should be using Ethernet

LAITS may need to set auto-power on after powerloss

Return to Steps for the remote Mac: Open the Microsoft Remote Desktop App on your remote Mac

Add a Connection

Go to Connections on the Menu Bar, Select Add PC

Enter Windows (FQDN) computer name: Dept-tag.austin.utexas.edu (IE: ECON-123456.austin.utexas.edu)

• • Or use a more reliable, long term address: MACAddress.dynamic.utexas.edu (example 00BE43E06498.dynamic.utexas.edu )
  • Find my MAC address

User Account: 

Username: AUSTIN\your-eid

Friendly Name: Use your computer's name

If you have display issues, you may need to change “Color Quality” to “16bit” color depth under the Display tab.

Select Add

Now connect to your remote Windows computer

Double click the computer's Friendly Name

If you get this message, select "continue".

If you get an access denied type of error message at this point, then make sure you entered your username and password correctly.