Configure Remote Desktop (Windows version)

The instructions below are divided into three sections. The first section is required - "Install Cloudflare WARP for Windows." If you already have a Remote Desktop shortcut on your desktop (or taskbar) that you've been using, follow the steps in the "Edit an existing Remote Desktop connection" section to update your connection. If you are setting up Remote Desktop for the first time, or would just prefer to set up a brand new connection, you can jump to the third "Set up a new Remote Desktop connection."   

• Install the Cloudflare WARP client for Windows (required)
• Edit an existing Remote Desktop connection
• Set up a new Remote Desktop connection
• A few tips and quirks

This process should only be set up on the device you'll be using from off-campus, and not on any campus-side desktop computers.

Install the Cloudflare WARP client for Windows

Before installing and setting up the WARP Client, ensure that your device is running Windows 8 or higher. Cloudflare is not compatible with older operating systems such as Windows 7. Only install it on the devices(s) you'll be using from off-campus, and not any campus-side desktop computers.

1. On the computer you'll be using at home to remote into your campus PC, download the Cloudflare WARP client for Windows from the official Cloudflare Warp website.

2. Go to your Downloads folder and launch the Cloudflare executable to begin the installation.

3. Once installed, you'll find a gray cloud icon in the system tray next to the date/time. Click this icon.

4. Click Next at the What is WARP? prompt.

5. Click Accept at the Our Commitment To Privacy prompt.

6. Click the settings button (gear icon) and select Preferences from the pop-up menu.

7. Click the Account tab and then click Login with Cloudflare Zero Trust.

8. Enter "buffalostate" in the Enter your team name box.

9. Complete the multi-factor verification when prompted.
10. When the Zero Trust pop-up appears, click on the button to toggle it on. When "on" the Zero Trust button will turn blue and say "Connected"; when "off" it will turn gray and say "Disconnected". In general, you should toggle Zero Trust on when you use Remote Desktop and toggle it off when you are done with your remote session. 

11. You'll be able to tell that Zero Trust is on because the gray cloud icon in the system tray now appears orange and it will say "Connected".

Edit an existing Remote Desktop connection

If you already have a Remote Desktop shortcut on your desktop (or taskbar) that you've been using, follow these steps to make sure your connection is configured properly.

1. Click on the icon you normally use to start Remote Desktop, but don't click on Connect button yet. Instead, click Show Options.

2. Next,go to the Advanced tab and click Settings under Connect from anywhere.
3. Make sure Automatically detect RD Gateway server settings is selected. If User these RD Gateway server settings is selected, you will not be able to connect. Click OK.

4. Return to the General tab and click the Save button. You should now be able to connect using the new Cloudflare setup.

5. To test your connection, click Connect and enter your Buffalo State password when prompted.

Set up a new Remote Desktop connection

If you are setting up Remote Desktop for the first time, or would just prefer to set up a brand new connection (instead of editing an existing RD connection), follow these steps.

1. Click the Start/Windows icon in the bottom-right corner and type "Remote Desktop Connection" into the search box. Select Remote Desktop Connection from the list of app results. 

2. When the app window appears, click Show Options to reveal additional settings.

3. In the Computer field, enter the Device Name of your campus PC followed by .bsclogon.buffalostate.edu. For the User name field, type in "bsclogon\" followed by your Buffalo State username.
   
   For example, if your device name is DN1234PDE you should enter "DN1234PDE.bsclogon.buffalostate.edu"

4. Return to the General tab and click the Save button. You should now be able to connect using the new Cloudflare setup.

5. To test your connection, click Connect and enter your Buffalo State password when prompted.
    

A Few Tips/Quirks

• If you get a Cloudflare WARP pop-up prompting you to re-authenticate when attempting your connection, go ahead and do so by clicking the Open Browser and Re-Authenticate button. A webpage will load affirming that the re-authentication was successful. You can now go back to cancel/close and re-open your connection normally. This re-authentication step may be needed every twelve hours for security purposes.

• To keep the Remote Desktop icon on your taskbar, right-click it and choose Pin to taskbar. 

• After setting up or editing your connection file, you'll likely see one of the messages below when first connecting. Just check the Don’t ask me again box and then click Connect/Yes to continue for either/both notifications.

 

• During your remote session, you will see a blue bar across the top of your screen which, among other things, identifies the campus device that you are remotely connected to. The image below explains what the different buttons on the blue bar do.

• Any time you want to end your remote session, be sure to do so by either clicking the "X" on the blue connection bar, or choosing the bottom-left Windows Start button > Power icon > Disconnect or Restart on the campus-side computer.