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Remote Desktop or External Access
If you are faculty or staff and you would like to connect to your office computer from off-campus (e.g., from your home computer or laptop), please fill out the external access form. If you should require any other form of connection originating from off-campus, the same form can be used. Upon completion of this form, please review the section below labeled "What do I need to connect?".
Why would I want to use Remote Desktop?
Most users connect to their office computers from off-campus in order to check their email or to perform work-related tasks from home or out of town.
What do I need to connect?
First, you will need to fill out the request form and print it. Once the form is complete (including your signature and department head's signature), send it to Information Security via intercampus mail.
Next, you will need to ensure that your computer has Remote Desktop enabled properly to facilitate your connection. To ensure that this feature is enabled, please contact the Information Technology Helpdesk at 245-HELP (4357) to put in a request for a technician to come out to your office to enable this feature.
Once we receive your form, we'll review the information and assess your computer for approval. Information Security will contact you with further information and instructions.
My Remote Desktop is not working.
Contact the Information Technology Helpdesk at 245-HELP (4357) to report the technical issues you are having.
I've just received a new computer and I used to have Remote Desktop, but it doesn't work now.
All new VSU computers that are issued typically have Remote Desktop enabled, however, the account on your new computer may not have been set up to allow for remote destkop connections. Please contact the Information Technology Helpdesk at 245-HELP (4357) to place a work order to have a technician ensure this feature is enabled on you new computer.
I've switched buildings and my Remote Desktop no longer works.
If your computer location has changed within the same building, your means of connecting to your office computer should not change. However, if for any reason your computer is relocated to another building on campus, your computer will have been issued a new IP address. Contact the Information Technology Helpdesk at 245-HELP (4357) for assistance on how to find your new IP address and instructions and how to connect with this new address.
I use a Mac. Can I use it to connect using Remote Desktop to my office PC?
Yes. You can connect to a PC from a Mac. Mac users must follow special instructions to establish a connection to their Windows-based office computer. For more information, please contact the Information Technology Helpdesk at 245-HELP (4357).
My office computer is a Mac. Can I connect to it from off-campus?
At this time, Information Technology does not offer directly support software solutions that make this possible. However, there is software that can be used to facilitate a connection of this kind. Please contact the Information Technology Helpdesk at 245-HELP (4357) for software approval or general questions.
For all other inquiries, please contact the Information Technology Helpdesk at 245-HELP (4357).