You can use RemoteApp (Microsoft Remote Desktop) to access University resources from a personal device, from both off campus and on campus.
RemoteApp services include:
- University applications e.g. SPSS, MS Project, NVivo
- Remote control access to a University open-access PC
- H-Drive file storage
- S-Drive file storage (Staff)
The applications available to you through this method are restricted by data protection issues and licencing restrictions.
How to set up and use RemoteApp
You can use RemoteApp (Microsoft Remote Desktop) on a Windows desktop / laptop / tablet to access University resources from your personal device, both off campus and on campus.
Setting up the connection (one time procedure)
- Click the 'Start' button, and search for 'RemoteApp'
- From the results click 'Access RemoteApp and desktops'
Please do not choose 'Remote desktop connection'
- Insert the connection url and click 'Next'
https://rds.chi.ac.uk/rdweb/feed/webfeed.aspx - At the 'Ready to set up the connection' screen, click 'Next'
- When prompted for your username and password, use the format uoc backslash username e.g. uoc\kweb1
, and click 'Ok' - It will usually take between 1 and 5 minutes to complete the connection, but could take longer depending on your device and internet speed, please be patient.
- Once completed you'll see the final screen
and a popup confirming your connection
Using the system
- Now that the set up is completed, open the Start Menu and expand the folder called 'UOC Apps (RADC)'
- You can either launch your 'H-Drive' file storage, various applications e.g. SPSS, Project, or 'Open Access Machine' to control a University PC
- If prompted again for your username and password, use the format uoc backslash username e.g. uoc\kweb1
Windows 11 bug
If you upgraded your home computer to Windows 11 you may find that 'UOC Apps' resources may not load properly e.g. you'll see 'Configuring remote session' but it won't complete.
This is a known Windows 11 bug that will hopefully soon be centrally fixed.
Until Microsoft resolve this issue - please try the following workaround:
- Open the Start Menu
- Search for then select 'edit group policy'
- Expand the following folder structure: Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > Remote Desktop Services
- Highlight 'Remote Desktop Connection Client' then double-click 'Turn Off UDP On Client'
- Select 'Enabled' then click 'Ok'
- You should now see 'Enabled' in the state column
- Reboot your computer. then try to connect again to 'UOC Apps' resources
File Access (inc. SPSS
- The default file location on all RemoteApp sessions and software is your University H drive.
- It is possible to transfer files from your local computer to the H Drive by using the "H Drive" UOC App and then copying and pasting the file from your local computer to the H Drive.
- To open files saved on your computer you need to open the file using relevant RemoteApp application. e.g. ".sav" files will need to be opened with SPSS and ".docx" files will need to be opened with MS Word.
- It is not possible to double click the file from your local computer.
- Local drives will be in the format "C on xxxxxxxxx" where 'xxxxxxxxx' is the name of the local computer. In the case of this example the name of the local computer is DESKTOP-9GKO0GN
- If you work from an "Open Access Machine" then your files will be saved to your H Drive unless you choose to save them to a different location.
Windows 7 - setting up the connection
The instructions above were written for Windows 10 computers. If you are using Windows 7, the instructions are similar; however, the first two steps are slightly different:
- Click the Start button and select the Control Panel
- In the Control Panel search box (top right), search for remoteapp and click Remoteapp and desktop connection: Set up a new connection with RemoteApp and Desktop Connections
Then continue with step 3 above.
You can use RemoteApp (Microsoft Remote Desktop) on an Apple Mac to access University resources from your personal device, both off campus and on campus.
Setting up the connection (one time procedure)
- Open the Microsoft Remote Desktop link
- Click 'View in Mac App Store'
- Click the 'Get' button near the top left corner
then 'Install App'
- Once installed, click 'Open'
which launches the Microsoft Remote Desktop software - Select the 'Workspaces' tab then click 'Add Workspace'
- Type the following url in the 'Add Workspace' box:
https://rds.chi.ac.uk/rdweb/feed/webfeed.aspx - For 'User account' click the drop down list and select 'Add User Account'
- Insert your username using the format uoc backslash username e.g. uoc\kweb1
Input your password, then click 'Add' then 'Add' again - If successful you'll see a list of available UOC Apps
Using the system
- In future you can launch Microsoft Remote Desktop from the Applications menu
File Access (inc. SPSS)
- Some programs such as SPSS will ask you on first launch to 'Select a folder to access remotely'
, please select your home directory from the drive dropdown list
- Then when SPSS is running and you want to open files on your computer, choose 'This PC' and open your home folder e.g. 'home on AppleMac'
then from your home folder you can navigate to where your SPSS file is located e.g. documents or downloads
- The default file location on all RemoteApp sessions and software is your University H drive.
- It is possible to transfer files from your local computer to the H Drive by using the "H Drive" UOC App and then copying and pasting the file from your local computer to the H Drive.
- To open files saved on your computer you need to open the file using relevant RemoteApp application. e.g. ".sav" files will need to be opened with SPSS and ".docx" files will need to be opened with MS Word.
- It is not possible to double click the file from your local computer.
- If you work from an "Open Access Machine" then your files will be saved to your H Drive unless you choose to save them to a different location.
You can use RemoteApp (Microsoft Remote Desktop) on an iPhone / iPad to access University resources from your personal device, both off campus and on campus.
Setting up the connection (one time procedure)
- Open the Microsoft Remote Desktop link, which should open the App Store
(use Safari if you are having problems, alternatively open the App Store and manually search for 'Microsoft Remote Desktop') - Tap 'Get' to install the app
- Once installed tap 'Open' which launches Microsoft Remote Desktop
- You are then told that Bluetooth is needed to communicate with input devices, click 'Continue'
- You only need to allow access to Bluetooth, your camera, and your microphone if you intend to connect with someone via a remote session. Otherwise you can choose 'Don't allow' for each of the 3 prompt.
- Once the app had loaded tap 'Workspaces'
- Tap the + symbol then 'Add Workspace'
- Insert the following into the top URL field
https://rds.chi.ac.uk/rdweb/feed/webfeed.aspx - Tap 'User Account'
- Then 'Add User Account'
- In the username field input uoc\ followed by your username e.g. uoc\kweb1, also input your university password, then tap 'Save'
- Tap 'Next' to save the workspace
- You should now see the available resources in the 'Workspaces' tab
Using the system
- Launch the app via the 'Microsoft Remote Desktop' icon
- Tap 'Workspaces' to see the available resources e.g. Visio, or IBM SPSS Statistics
- You can also remote control a University open access PC with 'Open Access Machine'
File Access
- The default file location on all RemoteApp sessions and software is your University H drive.
- It is not possible to access files saved to your iOS device during RemoteApp sessions.
You can use RemoteApp (Microsoft Remote Desktop) on an Android device to access University resources from your personal device, both off campus and on campus.
Setting up the connection (one time procedure)
- Open the Microsoft Remote Desktop link, which should open the Google Play store
- Tap 'Install' on the Microsoft Remote Desktop page
which will start to install the Android app - Once installed launch the Microsoft Remote Desktop app
- Tap the + symbol to add a new remote resource
- Tap 'Remote Resources' from the menu
- Insert the following in the 'Feed URL' field:
https://rds.chi.ac.uk/rdweb/feed/webfeed.aspx - Insert your username and password using the format uoc backslash username e.g. uoc\kweb1 and click 'Save'
Using the system
- Now that the set up is completed, you should be able to see the available resources in the 'Apps' tab
- You can also remote control a University open access PC by opening the 'Desktop' tab and tapping 'Open Access Machine'
You can use RemoteApp (Microsoft Remote Desktop) on a Windows phone to access University resources from your personal device, both off campus and on campus.
Setting up the connection (one time procedure)
- Open the Microsoft Remote Desktop link, which should open the Microsoft store
- Tap 'Get the app' on the Microsoft Remote Desktop page
which will start to install the Windows app - Once installed launch the Microsoft Remote Desktop app
- Tap the + symbol to add a new remote resource
- Tap 'Remote Resources' from the menu
- Insert the following in the 'Feed URL' field:
https://rds.chi.ac.uk/rdweb/feed/webfeed.aspx - Insert your username and password using the format uoc backslash username e.g. uoc\kweb1
and click 'Save'
Using the system
- Now that the set up is completed, you should be able to see the available resources in the 'Apps' tab
- You can also remote control a University open access PC by opening the 'Desktop' tab and tapping 'Open Access Machine'
