Overview

The Remote Desktop Gateway (RDG) is used to access your on-campus Windows computer from another remote computer. It provides additional security for our connections with university computing resources.

Requirements and Setup

Checking your user group

Your account must be in the destination computer’s Administrators or Remote Desktop Users groups.  

1. Hit the Windows key on your keyboard (Note: on Windows 10 click on the circle icon next to the Windows icon on your task bar)
2. Type lusrmgr.msc into the search bar
3. Hit the Enter key on your keyboard
4. Click on the Groups folder on the left
5. Double click on Administrators in the center column (pictured below)
   A new window should pop up
   
   (Click image below)
6. Look for you profile in the pop up
7. Double click Remote Desktop Users in the center column (pictured below)
   A new window should pop up
   
   (Click image to enlarge)
8. Look for your profile in the pop up

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Finding your computer's name

You will need to know the computer’s name (ends in forest.usf.edu), or its IP address.  

      In Windows 7:

1. Hit the Windows key on your keyboard 
2. Type computer name in the search field that comes up
3. Hit the Enter button on your keyboard
4. Click See the name of this computer.
   The name is displayed in the Full Computer Name field
    

      In Windows 8:

1. Hit the Windows key on your keyboard 
2. Type computer
3. Right-click on This PC 
4. Select Properties
   The name is displayed in the PC name field.
   
   

      In Windows 10:

1. Click on the circle icon, next to the Windows icon, on your task bar
2. Type computer name into the search bar
3. Hit the Enter key on your keyboard
4. Click View your PC name
   The name is displayed in the PC name field

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Connecting 

Windows

1. Go to http://usfweb.usf.edu/remote/ 
2. Login with your NetID and password 
   
3. Enter the computer name or IP address you wish to connect to (pictured below)
   
   (Click image to enlarge)
4. Choose your remote desktop size
   
5. Click the Find Computer button
   RDG will go through a series of checks (computer is found, awake, and connection is solid) and display the results to you
6. Click the Connect button
   RDG will download a ‘USFRemoteAccess.rdp’ file

7. Execute USFRemoteAccess.rdp file  

   Tip
   Security window popped up? Click Connect

   
   

8. Log in with your credentials
   You are logging into your destination computer

   Tip
   Using dual-factor authentication on your computer? You will be prompted to authenticate.

   
   

Once you have completed this process, you will have a window to your destination computer and may use it as if you were sitting in front of it.  When you are finished you can simply log out of your remote computer and the window will close. 

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Mac

1. Launch the App Store 
2. Search for the Microsoft Remote Desktop
   
3. Click on Microsoft Remote Desktop
4. Enter your credentials for your Apple account

5. Anchor
   Step5 Step5

   Launch Microsoft Remote Desktop
6. Click on New in the upper left
7. Choose Add gateway from the Gateway drop down menu (pictured below)
   
   (Click image to enlarge)
8. Click on the Plus sign to add a gateway:
9. Fill out the following fields (Pictured below)
   
   1. Gateway Name = USF

   2. Server = rdg.usf.edu

   3. User name = Your USF email

   4. Password = Your NetID password
   
   (Click image to enlarge)
10. Close the Preferences screen
11. Choose USF from the Gateway drop down menu 
12. Enter your email address and password under Credentials
13. Enter your computer name in the PC Name field
14. Close out of the Edit Remote Desktops screen
15. Click on USF under My Desktops (pictured below)
    
    (Click image to enlarge)
16. Click on Continue
    You will be connected

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IPad

1. Tap on the App Store 
2. Search Microsoft Remote Desktop
3. Tap on Get 
4. Tap on Install 

5. Anchor
   OpenApp OpenApp

   Open the Microsoft Remote Desktop app
6. Tap the Plus sign (pictured below)
   
   (Click image to enlarge)
7. Tap Desktop
8. Tap PC Name
9. Enter your computer's name (pictured below)
   
   (Click image to enlarge)
10. Tap Done
11. Tap the panel on the Remote Desktop main menu

12. Enter the credential you use on your machine

    Tip
    Tapping the controls at the top will allow you to zoom, switch between mouse pointer and touch functionality, bring up a keyboard, etc