Linux - Remotely Access a Windows Computer

Issue/Question

• How do I remotely access a Windows computer from a Linux computer?

Environment

• Oregon State University
• Linux
• Ubuntu

Explanation

These steps were tested with Ubuntu 18.04.4 LTS and Ubuntu 20.04.2 LTS. Similar steps may work for other Linux distros.

Resolution

There are several prep steps needed to access a Windows computer on-campus, including:

• The Windows computer must be configured to allow a remote connection
• Your username must be in the list of accounts allowed to access the computer remotely
• Windows firewall and network firewall settings must be configured to allow access via RDP
• If connecting from off-campus, you will need to use the OSU VPN or Remote Desktop Gateway to connect
• You will need to know the IP address of the computer you are connecting to; many work stations on campus use dynamic IP addressing so connecting to the DNS name may not work. The IP address can also change over time, but computers that stay online usually keep the same IP.

Remote to a Windows Computer Using Remmina

1. Launch the application Remmina
2. Click the + sign to add a new connection
   1. Enter a name for the connection
   2. Leave protocol set to RDP - Remote Desktop Protocol
   3. Enter your username, and password; for Domain, enter: ONID or onid.oregonstate.edu
   4. In Server Name, enter the full DNS name or IP address of the computer you are connecting to
   5. Select the Advanced tab
   6. Enter the following for RD Gateway server: desktop.oregonstate.edu
   7. Enter your username, and password; for Domain, enter: ONID or onid.oregonstate.edu
   8. Click Save
3. Double click on the new connection you made
4. You will receive a Duo push from "UIT desktop.oregonstate.edu"
   • You must accept the Duo push on your Duo device.

If you receive the following error: "You requested an H264 GFX mode for ser X@X.com, but your libfreedp does not support H264. Please check colour depth settings.":

1. Right-click on the connection you created and select Edit
2. On the Basic tab, change Color Depth until you find a setting that is supported, e.g. you might try "High Color (16 bpp)"

If the remote screen is too large to fit on your computer screen:

1. Right-click on the connection you created and select Edit
2. Under Resolution, set Custom, and specify a resolution that will fit on your screen
3. Alternatively, you can toggle "dynamic resolution update" in the floating toolbar for Remmina to change the resolution and size of the Desktop dependent on the size of the RDP window.