Connect to Remote Desktop Services (MacOS and Windows 11)

MacOS

Connecting to LETU Remote Desktop Services (RDS) from a Mac

Purpose

These instructions describe how to configure the Windows App on macOS to connect to rds.letu.edu through the RD Gateway at remote.letu.edu.

Requirements

  • A Mac running a current version of macOS
  • A LETU domain username and password
  • Access to the App Store

Steps

  1. Install the Windows App
    Open the App Store on the Mac and search for "Windows App" (previously called Microsoft Remote Desktop). Install it, open it, and sign in with a Microsoft account if prompted.
     
  2. Add the RDS server as a PC
    In the Windows App, select Add PC (or the + button, then PC). In the PC name field, enter rds.letu.edu. Leave the other fields at their defaults for now.
     
  3. Add the RD Gateway
    Still in the Add PC settings, find the Gateway field and select Add Gateway (or open Gateways from the app's settings menu). Enter remote.letu.edu as the gateway server name.
     
  4. Set the gateway login and bypass option
    In the gateway configuration, set the User account to the credentials that will be used to connect, or leave it set to use the account used to log in to the PC, per LETU's preference. Confirm the option labeled "Bypass RD Gateway server for local addresses" is turned off. This ensures all traffic, including local connections, routes through remote.letu.edu.
     
  5. Assign the gateway to the PC entry
    Return to the PC entry for rds.letu.edu and confirm the gateway you just created, remote.letu.edu, is selected under its Gateway setting. Save the changes.
     
  6. Enter user credentials
    Under the PC entry's User account settings, enter the domain username and password for LETU, for example letnet\username. 
     
  7. Connect and Confirm MFA
    Double-click the rds.letu.edu entry in the Windows App to start the session. You will receive an MFA prompt to your mobile authenticator - approve it and proceed to your session. 

Notes

  • If an older PC entry for rds.letu.edu already exists on the Mac, edit that entry instead of creating a duplicate.
  • The gateway can be created once and reused for other PC entries if additional LETU servers are added later.
  • If credentials fail after setup, confirm the account is entered in DOMAIN\username format rather than username@domain.com.

Windows

Connecting to LETU Remote Desktop Services (RDS) from Windows 11

Purpose

These instructions describe how to configure Remote Desktop Connection on Windows 11 to connect to rds.letu.edu through the RD Gateway at remote.letu.edu.

Requirements

  • A computer running Windows 11
  • A LETU domain username and password
  • Access to the built-in Remote Desktop Connection app (mstsc)

Steps

  1. Open Remote Desktop Connection
    Select Start, type Remote Desktop Connection, and open the app. Alternatively, press Windows+R, type mstsc, and press Enter.
     
  2. Enter the RDS server name
    In the Computer field, enter rds.letu.edu. Do not select Connect yet.
     
  3. Open Advanced settings
    Select Show Options to expand the dialog, then select the Advanced tab.
     
  4. Open the gateway settings
    Under Connect from anywhere, select Settings.
     
  5. Configure the RD Gateway server
    Select "Use these RD Gateway server settings." In the Server name field, enter remote.letu.edu.
     
  6. Set the gateway logon method
    Under Logon method, select "Use my RD Gateway credentials for the remote computer" or the option consistent with LETU's standard configuration.
     
  7. Confirm the bypass option is disabled
    Confirm the checkbox labeled "Bypass RD Gateway server for local addresses" is cleared. This ensures all traffic, including local connections, routes through remote.letu.edu. Select OK to close the gateway settings.
     
  8. Enter user credentials
    Return to the General tab. In the User name field, enter the domain username in the format letnet\username. Windows will prompt for the password when the connection is initiated.
     
  9. Save the connection (optional)
    Select Save or Save As to store the connection settings as an .rdp file for future use.
     
  10. Connect
    Double-click the rds.letu.edu entry in the Windows App to start the session. You will receive an MFA prompt to your mobile authenticator - approve it and confirm your password on your computer and then proceed to your session

Notes

  • If a saved .rdp file already exists for rds.letu.edu, edit that file's settings instead of creating a duplicate connection.
  • Gateway settings entered once apply only to that saved connection. A new connection to a different LETU server requires the gateway to be configured again unless the same .rdp file is reused as a template.
  • If credentials fail after setup, confirm the account is entered in DOMAIN\username format rather than username@domain.com.
Print Article