Computer Operations and Information Services Help Desk

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Computer Operations & Information Services

Computer Operations & Information Services

UC Berkeley

Help Desk

Remote Desktop

Remote Desktop Connection Instructions

If you need to work from home, we recommend that you use Microsoft's Remote Desktop Connection (RDC) utility.

If you only need to check your email or your calendar, try accessing CalMail and CalAgenda via the web!

Want to dial into the campus network via your modem?

Hardware and software requirements

  • Your work computer must be running Windows XP Professional. Your remote computer operating system should be Windows 98, Windows ME, Windows NT 4.0, Windows 2000, or Windows XP.
  • We recommend a fast internet connection such as cable modem or DSL. A regular modem connection will be too slow.
  • You will need to know the IP address of your work computer.

    To look up your office computer's IP address:
    • Click on the Start button
    • Select Run...
    • At the Run window, type cmd in the Open text box.
    • Click on the OK button
    • Type ipconfig at the prompt and press enter

    The IP Address for your computer should display.

    To close the Run window, type exit and press enter.

If you have any additional questions about hardware or software requirements for connecting with Remote Desktop Connection, please contact the COIS Help Desk for your work location.

Instructions for Remote Desktop Client installation

  1. Select the following links to download the Remote Desktop Connection client:
    • Windows XP Computers: No client installation is necessary.
    • Windows 98, Windows ME, Windows NT 4.0, Windows 2000 Computers click here
    • Macintosh Computers click here
  2. Once the download is complete, double-click on the executable file and the utility will install.
  3. Once installed use the following instructions to open Remote Desktop Connection:
    • Click the Start button
    • Point to Programs or All Programs
    • Select Accessories
    • Select Communications
    • Click on the Remote Desktop Connection icon.
      (Note: If you are running Windows XP, the Remote Desktop Connection icon is located under the Accessories group.)

How to use Remote Desktop Connection

Remote Desktop overview

With Remote Desktop on Windows XP Professional, you can have access to a Windows session that is running on your computer when you are at another computer. This means, for example, that you can connect to your work computer from home and have access to all of your applications, files, and network resources as though you were in front of your computer at work. You can leave programs running at work and when you get home, you can see your desktop at work displayed on your home computer, with the same programs running.

When you connect to your computer at work, Remote Desktop automatically locks that computer so no one else can access your applications and files while you are gone. When you come back to your computer at work, you can unlock it by typing CTRL+ALT+DEL.

Remote Desktop also allows more than one user to have active sessions on a single computer. This means that multiple users can leave their applications running and preserve the state of their Windows session even while others are logged on.

With Fast User Switching, you can easily switch from one user to another on the same computer. For example, suppose you are working at home and have logged on to the computer at your office to update an expense report. While you are working, a family member needs to use your home computer to check for an important email message. You can disconnect Remote Desktop, allow the other user to log on and check mail, and then reconnect to the computer at your office, where you see the expense report exactly as you left it. Fast User Switching works on standalone computers and computers that are members of workgroups.

Remote Desktop enables a variety of scenarios, including:

  • Working at home - Access work in progress on your office computer from home, including full access to all local and remote devices.
  • Collaborating - Bring your desktop to a colleague's office to debug some code, update a Microsoft PowerPoint slide presentation, or proofread a document.
  • Sharing a console - Allow multiple users to maintain separate program and configuration sessions on a single computer, such as a teller station or a sales desk.

To use Remote Desktop, you need the following:

  • A computer running Windows XP Professional ("remote" computer) with a connection to a Local Area Network or the Internet.
  • A second computer ("home" computer) with access to the Local Area Network via network connection, modem, or Virtual Private Network (VPN) connection. This computer must have Remote Desktop Connection, formerly called the Terminal Services client, installed.
  • Appropriate user accounts and permissions.

To connect to your office computer:

  • Type in your computer's IP Address in the Computer field
  • Click on the Connect button
  • Logon like you normally do at work (Enter your Username and Password; this is usually the same as your CalNet ID and Passphrase).

To log off and end the session:

In the Remote Desktop Connection window.

  • Click Start
  • Select Log Off
  • The Log Off dialog window appears
  • Click Log Off
  • Click OK

If the remote computer responds slowly:

Try rebooting your remote computer.

While in your Remote Desktop Connection session:

  • Select the Start button
  • Select Windows Security
  • Select Shutdown
  • Select Restart
  • Click OK

This will disconnect your Remote Desktop Connection session and reboot the remote computer.

Wait an appropriate length of time for your remote computer to restart, and then log in again with Remote Desktop Connection.

Additional online help for Remote Desktop Connection

For additional information about Microsoft's Remote Desktop Connection

  • Go to your Start button
  • Select Help or Help and Support
  • Type the words "remote desktop connection" in the Search box.