Microsoft Remote Desktop is a tool that allows you to remotely connect to your office computer. This gives you direct access to your company computer allowing to use any desktop applications or even to print to an office printer.


Pre-Requisites

In order to use Microsoft Remote Desktop, you'll need:

  • A secure connection to the office network
    • via the VPN (either from a company laptop or if you've configured your personal computer to connect to the VPN)
    • or, via an Amazon WorkSpace
  • The Microsoft Remote Desktop application
    • on a Mac, follow this guide
    • on Windows, you will already have it installed
  • The network name or IP address of your office computer
  • Your office computer is not turned off


How to get the name of your office computer

In order to connect via Remote Desktop, you'll need the network name or IP address of your office computer.


  1. From your desktop, right-click on the Start menu and select "System"
  2. Under the "Device Specifications" heading, find "Device Name" and take note of it


Your network name will be the "Device Name" plus ".int.outra.co.uk" 


How to connect from Windows

The following also works from within Amazon WorkSpaces.


  1. Connect to the office VPN (or launch Amazon WorkSpaces)
  2. Find Remote Desktop in your Start Menu
  3. Enter the name of your computer followed by ".int.outra.co.uk". So, if your computer's name is "JOEPC", enter "JOEPC.int.outra.co.uk" as the computer name.
  4. Optionally, click "Show Options" and change as you see fit
  5. Click "Connect"


How to connect from macOS

In most cases, you'll need your desktop computer's IP address rather than the name. Note that connecting from a Mac is only supported if you've already configured your machine to connect to the office VPN.


  1. Connect to the office VPN
  2. Open "Microsoft Remote Desktop"
  3. In the menu bar, Connections > Add PC
  4. Enter your desktop computer's IP address.
  5. Click "Add"
  6. Double-click your machine to connect