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Accessing your SMPH Windows desktop when you are away from the office from a Mac

Accessing your SMPH Windows desktop when you are away from the office from a Mac

Accessing your SMPH Windows desktop when you are away from the office from a Mac

Staff computers should already have the GlobalProtect VPN software installed. 

If you need to install it on your Mac computer. See the following Knowledge Base page for instructions:

WiscVPN - Installing and Connecting the GlobalProtect Client (Mac)  - https://kb.wisc.edu/73116

Using a personal Mac

You will also need the Windows App on your Mac. 

If you do not have this installed, press the Apple Menu > and then press "App Store...".  Search for "Windows App" and when the result comes up, click the install option.  Then proceed with the instructions below to get connected to your work PC.

About this mac

  1. Connect to GlobalProtect using the VPN smph.vpn.wisc.edu
  2. Press the Go menu and click Applications. Double-Click on Windows App
      
  3. Click the arrow next to the plus button and press "Add PC"
      

  4. Enter your work computer name under "PC Name:" and press "Add".  Then double-click on the new square thumbnail picture of your computer.
      

 

Using an SMPH IT managed Mac

    1. Connect to GlobalProtect using the VPN smph.vpn.wisc.edu if you are not on a wired ethernet connection in the building
    2. You will need the Microsoft Remote Desktop on your Mac. 

      If you do not have this installed, click on the shield icon in the top right corner of your Mac.

      In the Workspace One window, search for Remote
      Click Install next to Microsoft Remote Desktop
        

    3. Press the Go menu and click Applications.  Double-Click on Microsoft Remote Desktop (orange icon).

Go Menu

Microsoft Remote Desktop Client

                b. Press the arrow next to the plus button and press "Add PC"

Add PC

                c.  Enter your work computer name under "PC Name:" and press "Add".  Then double-click on the new square thumbnail picture of your computer.

Enter Computer name window

   

 

*** If you do not know your work computer name ***

Open a browser and go to the following address (NetID Login Required)  
https://itutils.med.wisc.edu/ad/computerlookup.php **(note, you may have to copy this link, and paste it into internet address bar of your browser)

The above website should list most recently logged into computers.

Note: You need the full host name of the computer you are connecting to for the PC Name: entry.

Example: SMPHAD-BADGERB1.ad.wisc.edu (if an AD user)

  • Enter your credentials
    1. For Username, type in the same credentials you use to login to your work computer, with the exception of adding AD\ before your name.
      1. Enter AD\ if your computer name ends in ad.wisc.edu.
        1. Please reference "If you do not know your work computer name" above for full computer name.

Example: AD\bbadger

Enter Username 

If prompted that the "The certificate could not be verified", and that your connection may not be secure, click "Continue".  The VPN already provides a secure tunnel.

Certificate Message



Keywords:
smph windows desktop mac 
Doc ID:
134082
Owned by:
Deb M. in SMPH
Created:
2024-01-16
Updated:
2025-04-03
Sites:
School of Medicine and Public Health