How to Remotely Connect to Windows 2012 Server from Mac?

If you’re a Mac user, but also need to remotely connect to a Windows 2012 Server, you might feel like you’re out of luck. However, the good news is that there are several ways to connect to Windows Server from Mac, and in this article, we’ll show you exactly how to do it.

Connecting remotely to a Windows Server from a Mac can be a bit tricky, but with the right tools and setup, you can do it easily. In this guide, we will provide you with step-by-step instructions to help you connect to your Windows 2012 Server using various methods.

Whether you’re an IT administrator or just need to access your work computer while you’re away from the office, this article is for you. So, let’s dive in and explore the different ways to connect to Windows Server from Mac.

Step-by-Step Guide to Remote Desktop Connection

Do you need to access a Windows 2012 Server from your Mac computer? Luckily, it’s a straightforward process with the help of Remote Desktop Connection (RDC). Follow these simple steps to get started.

Step 1: Ensure that your Windows Server has the RDC feature installed and enabled. If not, install it from the Windows Features section in Control Panel.

Step 2: On your Mac, download and install the Microsoft Remote Desktop app from the App Store.

Step 3: Open the Remote Desktop app and click the “+” button to add a new connection. Enter the IP address or hostname of the Windows Server and customize any additional settings you need.

Now that you have established a connection with your Windows Server, you can access all its files, applications, and resources right from your Mac. Keep reading to learn more about using the Microsoft Remote Desktop app on Mac, setting up Remote Desktop Gateway, and connecting to Windows Server using CoRD.

Step 1: Install Remote Desktop App on Mac

1. Go to the App Store: Launch the App Store on your Mac and search for Microsoft Remote Desktop. Click on the Get button to download and install the app.

2. Download from Microsoft website: Visit the Microsoft Remote Desktop website and download the app from there. Once downloaded, open the file and follow the installation instructions.

3. Configure the app: Once the installation is complete, open the Remote Desktop app and click on the New button. This will allow you to add a new remote connection. Fill in the required details such as the name of the connection, the PC name or IP address, and your username and password. Save the connection by clicking on the Add button.

By following these steps, you can install the Microsoft Remote Desktop app on your Mac and configure it to connect to your Windows 2012 Server remotely. Once the connection is established, you can access all the files and applications on the server, as if you were physically present in front of it.

Step 2: Configure Remote Desktop Connection Settings

After installing the Microsoft Remote Desktop app, the next step is to configure the connection settings to connect to the Windows 2012 Server from your Mac computer. Click on the Remote Desktop app icon to launch it, then click on the “New” button to create a new connection.

• PC Name: Enter the IP address or hostname of the Windows 2012 Server you want to connect to.
• Username: Enter the username of the account you want to use to connect to the server.
• Password: Enter the password for the account you specified in the previous step.

After entering these details, you can also customize other settings like display resolution, color depth, and more. Once you have configured the settings, click on the “Save” button to save the connection settings for future use.

Using Microsoft Remote Desktop App on Mac

If you’re using a Mac to connect to a Windows 2012 server, you can use the Microsoft Remote Desktop app to make the connection. This app is available for free on the Mac App Store.

To use the app, you’ll need to have the login credentials for the Windows 2012 server you want to connect to. Once you have those, you can follow these steps:

Step 1: Open the Microsoft Remote Desktop app on your Mac.

Step 2: Click on the “+” button in the top left corner to add a new connection.

Step 3: Enter the server name or IP address of the Windows 2012 server you want to connect to, along with your login credentials.

With these simple steps, you’ll be able to connect to your Windows 2012 server from your Mac using the Microsoft Remote Desktop app.

How to Add a PC to the Remote Desktop Connection List?

Adding a PC to your Remote Desktop Connection List allows you to easily access it without having to enter its credentials repeatedly. To add a PC, launch the Microsoft Remote Desktop app on your Mac and click the “+” icon at the top of the window.

Enter the details of the PC you want to add, including its name, IP address, or DNS name. You can also add a friendly name to identify the PC more easily in the future. Additionally, you can choose to add specific user accounts to the connection or use the currently logged-in user account on the remote PC.

Once you’ve added a PC to your connection list, you can quickly connect to it by selecting it from the list and clicking “Connect.” You can also right-click on a connection to access additional options, such as editing its properties or removing it from the list.

How to Customize Remote Desktop Settings?

Step 1: Open the Remote Desktop app on your Mac and select the remote PC you want to customize settings for.

Step 2: Click on the “Edit” button at the top of the screen and then select “Preferences.”

Step 3: In the “Preferences” window, you can customize various settings, such as display resolution, sound quality, and keyboard shortcuts.

Step 4: Once you have customized your settings, click on “Save” to save your changes.

Customizing your Remote Desktop settings can help you optimize your remote desktop experience and make it more efficient. Follow these steps to tailor the remote desktop settings to your preferences and needs.

Setting up Remote Desktop Gateway

Remote Desktop Gateway (RD Gateway) is a powerful tool that allows users to access remote desktops or applications from anywhere, using a secure connection. In order to set up RD Gateway, you need to follow a few simple steps.

Step 1: First, make sure that your server is running Windows Server 2012 or later, and that Remote Desktop Services (RDS) is installed and properly configured.

Step 2: Next, you need to install and configure RD Gateway. This involves creating a certificate, configuring the RD Gateway server settings, and creating user accounts and groups.

Step 3: Once you have set up RD Gateway, you can configure remote desktop clients to use it. This involves specifying the RD Gateway server and the authentication method to use.

Step 4: You can also configure various settings for RD Gateway, such as session timeout, logon message, and custom authentication and authorization policies.

Step 5: Finally, make sure to test your RD Gateway setup to ensure that it is working properly and that remote desktop clients can connect to remote desktops or applications securely.

Step-by-Step Guide to Install Remote Desktop Gateway Role

Step 1: Open the Server Manager on your Windows 2012 Server and click on the “Manage” menu, then select “Add Roles and Features”.

Step 2: Follow the wizard and select the “Remote Desktop Services” installation type. Choose the “Remote Desktop Gateway” role service and click “Next” until the installation begins.

Step 3: After installation completes, open the Remote Desktop Gateway Manager from the Start menu. Right-click on the server name and select “Properties”.

Step 4: In the “SSL Certificate” tab, select the SSL certificate you want to use for the gateway server. Click “Apply” to save the changes.

Step 5: Finally, configure the Remote Desktop Gateway by adding users and groups to the Remote Desktop Users group. This will allow them to connect to the gateway and access remote desktops and applications.

How to Configure Remote Desktop Gateway?

After installing the Remote Desktop Gateway role, it is essential to configure it properly to allow secure remote access to internal resources. Follow these steps:

• Create a Server Farm: A server farm is a group of RD Gateway servers that work together to provide access to internal resources. Create a new server farm by opening the Remote Desktop Gateway Manager and selecting the “Create new RD Gateway Farm” option.
• Configure Certificates: Certificates are required to secure the communication between the client and server. Install a valid SSL certificate on the RD Gateway server and bind it to the appropriate listener.
• Configure Authorization Policies: Authorization policies determine who can connect to the RD Gateway server and what resources they can access. Create and configure policies that align with your organization’s security requirements.

By following these steps, you can configure Remote Desktop Gateway to provide secure remote access to internal resources for authorized users.

How to Troubleshoot Remote Desktop Gateway Connection Issues?

Remote Desktop Gateway is a powerful tool for accessing remote resources. However, there may be times when you encounter connection issues that prevent you from accessing your resources. Here are some troubleshooting steps you can take:

By following these troubleshooting steps, you should be able to resolve most Remote Desktop Gateway connection issues. If you are still unable to connect, contact your system administrator for further assistance.

Connecting to Windows Server from Mac using CoRD

CoRD (Cord Open Remote Desktop) is a free remote desktop application for Mac OS X that allows users to connect to Windows computers, servers, or virtual desktops.

To connect to a Windows Server using CoRD, follow these steps:

Step 1: Install CoRD
Download and install the latest version of CoRD from the official website. Once the installation is complete, launch CoRD.

Step 2: Configure the Connection Settings
Click on the “New Server” button and enter the necessary information such as the server’s IP address, domain, username, and password. You can also customize other settings like resolution and color depth as per your requirements.

Step 3: Connect to the Windows Server
Click on the “Connect” button to establish a remote desktop connection to the Windows Server. Once connected, you can access the remote desktop environment and perform tasks as if you were physically present at the server.

Step 4: Disconnect from the Server
To disconnect from the Windows Server, simply close the CoRD window or click on the “Disconnect” button within the application. You can also save the server settings for future use.

How to Download and Install CoRD on Mac?

If you’re using a Mac and want to connect to a Windows Server using CoRD, here’s how to download and install it:

Once CoRD is installed on your Mac, you can start configuring it to connect to your Windows Server.

How to Connect to Windows Server using CoRD?

Step 1: Launch CoRD and click on the “New Server” icon to create a new connection.

Step 2: In the “General” tab, enter a name for the connection, the IP address of the Windows Server, and select the “RDP” protocol.

Step 3: In the “Display” tab, choose your preferred resolution, color depth, and other display settings.

Step 4: In the “Authentication” tab, enter the login credentials for the Windows Server and select the authentication method.

Once you have entered all the required information, click “Save” to save the connection and then double-click on the connection to connect to the Windows Server.

How to Troubleshoot CoRD Connection Issues?

If you encounter any issues connecting to your Windows Server using CoRD, here are some troubleshooting tips:

Check network connectivity: Ensure that your Mac is connected to the same network as the Windows Server and that you have a stable internet connection. If you are using a VPN, make sure it is connected.

Verify login credentials: Double-check your login credentials to make sure they are correct. You can also try resetting your password or using a different account to see if that resolves the issue.

Check Windows Server settings: Ensure that Remote Desktop is enabled on the Windows Server and that the server is configured to allow remote connections. You can also check the firewall settings to make sure that CoRD is allowed to connect to the server.

If these troubleshooting tips do not resolve your issue, you can try reinstalling CoRD or contacting their support team for further assistance.

Establishing Connection through VNC

If you want to connect remotely to a computer, one of the simplest ways is to use VNC (Virtual Network Computing). VNC allows you to access and control a computer from a remote location.

The two most popular VNC software applications are TightVNC and RealVNC. Both are free and available for Windows, macOS, and Linux.

To establish a connection using VNC, you need to have the VNC server software installed on the computer you want to access and the VNC client software installed on the computer from which you want to access the server.

Once you have installed the VNC client software, you will need to enter the IP address or hostname of the computer you want to access, along with the appropriate port number.

How to Set up VNC Server on Windows Server?

If you want to set up a VNC server on your Windows Server, you can use one of the many available VNC server software applications, such as RealVNC or TightVNC.

After downloading and installing the VNC server software on your Windows Server, you will need to configure it to your preferences, such as specifying a password or encryption settings.

Once you have configured the VNC server, you can then connect to it from a VNC client application installed on another computer, such as a Mac or PC, by entering the IP address of the Windows Server and the password you specified during the setup process.

Using Remote Management Services on Mac

Remote Management Services on Mac allows you to remotely manage and control another Mac on your network. It is a useful tool for IT administrators who need to troubleshoot and maintain Macs without physically being there.

To use Remote Management Services, both Macs must be on the same network and have the feature enabled. You can then connect to the remote Mac using the Screen Sharing app, which is built into macOS.

Once connected, you can view and control the remote Mac’s desktop, open and close applications, transfer files, and perform other administrative tasks.

How to Access Remote Management Services on Mac?

Remote Management Services on Mac can be accessed by enabling the service in the Sharing preferences of your Mac. To do this, open System Preferences and click on Sharing. Check the Remote Management option to enable the service.

After enabling the Remote Management service, you can access it using another Mac or iOS device. Open Finder on the remote device, select Network, and click on the name of the Mac with Remote Management enabled. Enter the username and password of the Mac to connect.

You can also access Remote Management services using a VNC client. Enter the IP address of the Mac with Remote Management enabled and connect using the VNC client. You will be prompted to enter the username and password of the Mac to connect.

Frequently Asked Questions