Remote Desktop from Macintosh Computers - RDP File Setup

If you need to work from home, and you have a Macintosh computer, you can log into your work PC using Microsoft Remote Desktop. Your Mac them becomes a “dumb terminal”, controlling your work PC and showing its screen. While you’re logged in via Remote Desktop, the screen on the PC at work is blank - only you can see the content.

This set of instructions assumes you have a pre-set “RDP” file provided for you. If not, contact helpdesk.moore.edu.au

Instructions

Part 1: Obtain the Microsoft Remote Desktop 10 app from the App Store

1. Click on this link to get the app: https://apps.apple.com/au/app/microsoft-remote-desktop-10/id1295203466?mt=12
   Alternatively you can copy and paste the link into your web browser. Here’s the page it takes you to:
   
   

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   If the App Store does not open, click the “View in Mac App Store” button.

2. In the App Store, this is the page you get:
   
   

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   Click the “Get” button, and again to “Install Application”. You may need to sign into the App Store using your AppleID. The Application will then download to your Applications folder.

Part 2: Activate the Connection

1. Open the Microsoft Remote Desktop app. If the App Store is still open, the “Get” button will change to “Open” - click it to open the app.

2. Save the <your intials>.rdp file out of your email onto your Mac’s Desktop.

3. Drag and drop the RDP file onto the Microsoft Remote Desktop window.

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4. In the Connections menu, select “Edit PC” (command-E).

5. Select the “Display” tab and change the Resolution value from “1920 x 1080” to “Default for this display”.

Note for Experts: If you don’t want your PC display to fill your Mac screen, select a different value for the Resolution. If you don’t know what this means, ignore this note!

Part 3: Connecting

At this point, the setup is complete. From now on, all you have to do is double-click on the <your initials> PC to connect.

1. You will be prompted for your password to connect to the gateway.
   
   

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   Enter your password and click “Continue”.

2. There will be a warning that “the certificate couldn’t be verified”.
   
   

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   Click “Continue”.

3. You will then see your PC desktop as if you were sitting at your desk. It defaults to full screen mode, but you can change that if you wish in the connections settings.

4. When you want to disconnect, hover your mouse pointer near the top of the screen. The Mac’s menu bar and the window buttons will appear, allowing you to close the window to disconnect.

    

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