Remote Desktop Service Access

Please refer to UW-Madison Remote Desktop Service - Overview for instructions on requesting access to the Remote Desktop Service.

Full Desktop Sessions and RemoteApps

Remote Desktop Service offers two options for running compatible applications:

• Full Desktop Session - all applications/windows opened in Remote Desktop Service appear within a single virtual desktop separate from the user's local desktop.
• RemoteApp - certain programs are available to run independently as RemoteApps (denoted in the available applications list). These are still hosted on the Remote Desktop Service but appear as though running directly on the user's desktop with their own taskbar/dock entry like other local applications. These can also be be resized/moved across monitors.

It's recommended not to mix RemoteApp and Full Desktop Session usage, as the profile which saves your settings can only be used in one mode at a time.

Connection Requirements

Windows Users:

1. Confirm that you're connected to a campus network or have a WiscVPN connection active if you're on an off-campus network
2. In the web browser of your choice navigate to https://remotedesktop.doit.wisc.edu.
3. Review the security statement, then login by entering "AD\[Your_NetID]" for the username (e.g. "AD\bbadger") and your NetID password. Please note the username requires a backslash [ \ ] between "AD" and your NetID; a forwardslash [ / ] in the username will result in an error. 
4. You'll be presented with the remote desktops and applications available to you.
   
   • If you only need to use a single application and see it listed here, click the application.
   • If you will be using multiple applications or otherwise prefer a full desktop experience, click "Full Desktop Session".
5. A connection file will be downloaded to your computer. Depending on your browser, open the file by clicking it in the download bar or choose "Open".
6. Verify the publisher is "remotedesktop.doit.wisc.edu" then click "Connect".

• You can check "Don't ask me again for remote connections to this publisher" to bypass future publisher confirmations for the Remote Desktop Service.
• From this dialog you can also choose which local resources available are available to use within your remote connection, such as storage drives, audio devices and printers. To access these options, click "Show Details" at the bottom of the window.
• Enter your username and password as previously in step 3, then click "OK" to be connected to your chosen desktop session or application.

macOS Users:

Note: macOS users should first download and install the Microsoft Windows App from the Apple App Store.

1. Confirm that you're connected to a campus network or have a WiscVPN connection active if you're on an off-campus network
2. In the web browser of your choice navigate to https://remotedesktop.doit.wisc.edu.
3. Review the security statement, then login by entering "AD\[YourNetID]" for the username (e.g. "AD\bbadger") and your NetID password. Please note the username requires a backslash [ \ ] between "AD" and your NetID; a forwardslash [ / ] in the username will result in an error.
4. You'll be presented with the remote desktops and applications available to you.
   
   • If you only need to use a single application and see it listed here, click the application.
   • If you will be using multiple applications or otherwise prefer a full desktop experience, click "Full Desktop Session".
5. A connection file will be downloaded to your computer. Depending on your browser, open the file by clicking it in the download bar or choosing "Open".
6. Enter your username and password as previously in step 3, then click "OK" to be connected to your chosen desktop session or application.

Linux Users:

Note: Linux users will want to install an appropriate remote desktop client that supports Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP) such as Remmina.

1. Confirm that you're connected to a campus network or have a WiscVPN connection active if you're on an off-campus network.
   
   • See Alternative solution to WiscVPN for Linux users if you have issues with GlobalProtect, or are using an unsupported distro.
2. In the web browser of your choice navigate to https://remotedesktop.doit.wisc.edu.
3. Review the security statement, then login by entering "AD\[YourNetID]" for the username (e.g. "AD\bbadger") and your NetID password. Please note the username requires a backslash [ \ ] between "AD" and your NetID; a forwardslash [ / ] in the username will result in an error.
4. You'll be presented with the remote desktops and applications available to you.
   
   • If you only need to use a single application and see it listed here, click the application.
   • If you will be using multiple applications or otherwise prefer a full desktop experience, click "Full Desktop Session".
5. A connection file will be downloaded to your computer. Open this with your compatible remote desktop client (such as with an "Open with..." dialog or perhaps dragging the file to the application).
6. Enter your username and password as previously in step 3. If you are prompted to accept a certificate, verify the publisher is "remotedesktop.doit.wisc.edu" then do so.
   • If your client has a separate field for "Domain" (such as Remmina), do not prepend "AD\" to your username and instead enter "AD" in the "Domain" box, using just your username and password in the appropriate fields.
   • Otherwise, prepend "AD\" to your username as in step 3.