Remote Desktop - Connecting to a Biochemistry Computer

This document outlines the steps for connecting to a Biochemistry computer from a remote location.

Before Connecting

  • To request the ability to connect to a Biochemistry machine remotely, please submit a Job Board ticket to Biochem IT and include the following information in your request
  • You must be connected to the Biochemistry VPN to access a machine remotely (See VPN - Connecting to the Biochemistry VPN)

Connecting from MacOS to Windows 

Add the Remote Machine to Microsoft Remote Desktop

  1. Download the Microsoft Remote Desktop app from the App Store
    Microsoft Remote Desktop
  2. Connect to the Biochemistry VPN (See VPN - Connecting to the Biochemistry VPN)
  3. Open Microsoft Remote Desktop on your machine
  4. Click the plus (+), then choose Add PC
    Add PC
  5. In the PC name field, enter the full name of the Biochemistry machine followed by ".ad.wisc.edu" (Ex. BIOCWK-01234W.ad.wisc.edu)
  6. In the User account dropdown menu, choose Add user account...
  7. Enter your UW-Madison NetID and password; set a Friendly name for the account if desired (not required)
  8. Click Add to save your credentials
    Add PC Details
  9. Under the General settings tab, set the Friendly name for the device if desired (not required)
  10. Click Add to save the PC

Connect to the Remote PC

  1. Locate the PC you added in your list of Saved PCs in the Microsoft Remote Desktop app
  2. Double click on the PC to initiate the remote connection
  3. You will get a message about failed certificate validation, click Continue to continue connecting
  4. You should now be connected to the remote machine

IMPORTANT: If you connect to a remote machine and see the following message, it is strongly recommended to not continue with your remote connection. Logging out another user can cause them to lose unsaved work. Do not continue connecting unless you are very sure it will not negatively affect the logged in user.

"Another user is signed in. If you continue, they'll be disconnected. Do you want to sign in anyway?"

Other user signed in message

If you encounter errors, please open a Job Board ticket with Biochem IT and include the exact error message in your request (See Get Help from Biochemistry IT!).

Connecting from Windows to Windows

Configure the Remote Desktop Connection

  1. Connect to the Biochemistry VPN (See VPN - Connecting to the Biochemistry VPN)
  2. Open the Windows search and type "Remote Desktop"
  3. Open Remote Desktop Connection from the search results
  4. In the Computer field, enter the full name of the Biochemistry machine followed by ".ad.wisc.edu" (Ex. BIOCWK-01234W.ad.wisc.edu)
  5. Click Show Options to reveal additional settings
  6. In the User name field, enter your UW-Madison NetID
  7. Check the box next to Allow me to save credentials if desired
  8. If you want to save this PC connection for future use, click Save As... under Connection settings and choose a location; for future connections, you can double click the saved shortcut to connect more quickly
  9. Click Connect to initiate the remote connection
  10. You will see a warning message about the identity of the remote computer, click Yes to continue connecting

IMPORTANT: If you connect to a remote machine and see the following message, it is strongly recommended to not continue with your remote connection. Logging out another user can cause them to lose unsaved work. Do not continue connecting unless you are very sure it will not negatively affect the logged in user.

"Another user is signed in. If you continue, they'll be disconnected. Do you want to sign in anyway?"

Other user signed in message

If you encounter errors, please open a Job Board ticket with Biochem IT and include the exact error message in your request (See Get Help from Biochemistry IT!).

Connecting from MacOS to MacOS

Coming Soon

Connecting from Windows to MacOS

Coming Soon



Keywordsremote desktop connecting connect connection work from home   Doc ID133681
OwnerPeyton T.GroupCALS Biochemistry IT
Created2023-12-20 11:36:22Updated2024-01-24 16:34:29
SitesCALS Biochemistry Information Technology, CALS Information Technology
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