IT Services
Windows Remote
Staff can use the Windows Remote service to use a Sussex Windows computer and its software from another location, including when away from the campus.
Windows Remote is currently available for members of staff only but we hope to extend the service to other users in the future.
Windows Remote is a service allowing you to remotely connect to a Sussex desktop (from any Windows PC and some mobile devices) and work as if you were sitting at an IT Services Windows 7 PC on campus. This gives you access to:
- a range of software applications including Office applications and other packages;
- Sussex networked printers on campus;
- files on your N: drive, research R: drives and shared staff G: drives.
In addition, users of some administrative systems previously only accessible on campus will be able to access them remotely.
Use on a PC
If you have a PC with Windows XP or later, you can use the Remote Desktop program which is already installed:
- from All Programs, choose Accessories and then Remote Desktop Connection
- for the computer, enter windows-remote.sussex.ac.uk
- for user name, enter ad_us\ followed by your Sussex username. So if your username were ano23, you would enter ad_us\ano23
- click Connect and enter your Sussex password when requested
Set up and use on a Mac
Download Microsoft Remote Desktop for Mac from the App Store and when installed:
- click on Microsoft Remote Desktop in the Applications folder or the Dock
- click on New to add a new connection
- for PC name, enter windows-remote.sussex.ac.uk
- in the credentials section, for user name, enter ad_us\ followed by your IT username
- close the window to save the settings, then click Start
Set up a tablet or mobile
- Install a remote desktop app from your app store - such as Microsoft Remote Desktop which is available for iPhone/iPad, Android and Windows Phone
- tap the icon to open the app and then the + button (top right corner) to add a connection
- choose Add PC or Server
- enter the Host name as windows-remote.sussex.ac.uk and tap Done
- tap username, then Add User Account and enter ad_us\ followed by your Sussex username. For example, user ano23 would enter ad_us\ano23
- enter your Sussex password and tap Save in the top right and then Save again
- to use the service, open Microsoft Remote Desktop and then tap on windows-remote.sussex.ac.uk
Troubleshooting
Logging in
If you're using Windows Remote on a Windows 7 computer, but are unable to connect, your PC may be trying to login using your local username and password.
To login with your Sussex details, click on Use another account and then enter ad_us\ followed by your username.
Access to files
When you are logged in to Windows Remote, you have access to files on the Sussex network:
- N: drive or home directory
- shared staff G: drive
- Research R: drive
Central administration staff G: drives are not currently available through Windows Remote. However, they will be accessible soon, once shared drives have been migrated to the central file storage system.
You can browse available locations using Windows Explorer and save to them in the normal way. You can also open files and work on them inside Windows Remote. For example, you could open a Word document stored on your home N: drive, make changes to it and then send it by email using Outlook.
Transferring files
When you connect to the service on a PC or Mac, you can also make folders on your local computer accessible from your Windows Remote session. This allows you to transfer files easily between your local computer and your folders on the Sussex file system.
Windows
When you open Remote Desktop Connection and before you connect, click on Options and choose the Local Resources tab. In the bottom section click the More button and tick Drives. Now when you connect, you will be able to get access to your C: drive or any USB drives that you plug in
If you want to transfer files from your Sussex folders to your local machine, you will need to use a folder to which Windows Remote has write access. You can right-click on a folder to change the permissions, or you can transfer files to the folder C:/temp which is writable by everyone as standard.
Optimising performance
When you use Windows Remote, the performance is likely to vary depending on the speed of your internet connection. If the service seems to be operating jerkily or with poor quality graphics, you can often change the settings to improve performance.
Windows
When you open Remote Desktop Connection, click on Options, choose the Experience tab and try changing the connection speed to find the best option. Graphics and text look better on a higher speed setting, as long as your connection is good enough.
Software
With Windows Remote you can use a set of handy programs including:
- Office software including Libre Office and Microsoft Office
- Stata
- Matlab
Software licensing
The licensing agreements for some programs may not allow them to be used outside University premises. Please respect any restrictions advised to you when you login to Windows Remote.
Mac users
If you're having problems getting access to the service and you are using an older version of the Microsoft Remote Desktop Connection program, please try upgrading to the new version which is available from the Mac App Store.
Connecting
Connect using these details:
Computer
windows-remote.sussex.ac.uk
User name
ad_us\ followed by your Sussex username
Password
Your Sussex password
Disconnecting
Close the session
Choose Log off from the Start button as usual.
Leave the session open
Alternatively, just disconnect from the service by closing the Remote Desktop window but make sure you save your files first in case the session expires before you next login.
Adding a printer
When you're using Windows Remote, you can print to local printers connected to the computer you're using but you also have access to printers on the Sussex network. To add a network printer:
- from the Start button, click All programs and choose Find printers
- find your printer in the list that pops up and double-click on its name
- click Accept if asked to trust the printer
Introductory guide
Updated on 6 July 2016