What is Remote Desktop?

Remote Desktop Connection allows you to log into your Windows computer to access local files and programs, just as if you were signed in from the office. Remote Desktop also comes in handy if your internet connection/VPN went down while running a process. Thankfully Remote Desktop will continue to run the process to completion on to the remote system.

What Do I Need to Get Started?

• A connection to the Kalamazoo College Virtual Private Network (VPN). If you have never used the VPN, please refer to the VPN Access page to learn more.
• Ensure that your on-campus workstation is turned on. If your workstation is not turned on please contact the Help Desk (HelpDesk@kzoo.edu)
• Your own off-campus device (Windows or Mac laptops work best)

How Do I Use Remote Desktop Connection?

For Windows (to use a Windows computer off-campus to connect to your Windows computer at work)

1. Ensure you are connected to the K College VPN and that your work computer is turned on.
2. From your off-campus computer, open your Start Menu and search “Remote Desktop Connection”
3. Enter your work computer’s service tag or IP address in the “Computer:” field. See where to find my service tag or IP address for help on locating these.
   1. Note: If using your Service Tag, enter the computer’s Fully Qualified Domain Name such as XXXXXXX.knet.kzoo.edu under the “Computer:” field, where XXXXXXX is the service tag.
4. Select “Connect”
5. Enter your knet\username and password

For Mac (to use a Mac computer off-campus to connect to your Windows computer at work)

1. Ensure you are connected to the K College VPN and that your work computer is turned on.
2. From your off-campus computer, use Spotlight (the magnifying glass icon in the upper-right corner of the screen, or press cmd+space) and search “Microsoft Remote Desktop”. If you’re using a personal Mac remotely, you can get Microsoft Remote Desktop from the Mac App Store.
3. Use the [+] button to add a PC. Enter your work computer’s service tag or IP address in the “PC name:” field, and click Add. See where to find my service tag or IP address for help on locating these.
   1. Note: If using your Service Tag, enter the computer’s Fully Qualified Domain Name such as XXXXXXX.knet.kzoo.edu under the “PC name:” field, where XXXXXXX is the service tag.
4. Double-click the connection you just added
5. Enter your knet\username and password

How to Find a Service Tag and IP Address

Service Tag

Dell Desktops & Laptops: Locations vary; look for a sticker that mentions Service Tag. The service tag value is 7 characters in length.

If you cannot find the service tag on your Dell computer at work, you can:

1. Search for and run “System Information” from your Windows desktop
2. Locate the service tag by looking at the System Name field. The system name is equal to the service tag value.

IP Address

To locate your IP Address:

1. Search for and run Command prompt on your Start Menu
2. With the Command Prop app open type, “ipconfig“
3. Press enter
4. Under the “Ethernet adapter Ethernet:” section locate the IPv4 Address