Logging in to the Cloud Desktop
The Cloud Desktop is essentially a remotely-hosted Windows PC network and, as with any Windows PC, you must first log in before you can use the applications and data on that PC. Here we explain how to log in from a variety of different devices and some of the options you have to personalise your Desktop experience.
Logging in from a Microsoft Windows device (PC or laptop)
The quickest and easiest way to log in is to create a shortcut on the desktop of your Windows device. Click here to go to our website and see how. You will need your account details.
After you have created this shortcut RDP file you can edit it to personalise the desktop experience to your specific requirements. Locate the RDP file with Windows Explorer (File Manager), right click it with your mouse and select ‘Edit’ in the context menu. This should be the second item on the list, below ‘Connect’. Note that this works in Windows 10, which everyone should be using by now . . .
You will see that there are many options available, which you can play with and search the internet for their purpose. We will only focus on the main ones here. If you make any changes, be sure to return to the General tab and press [Save] before you close or [Connect]; otherwise you will lose the changes you have made.
| General tab > Allow me to save credentials | Although this would be very convenient, we advise against this as it would make your Desktop accessible to anyone who happens to sit at your desk. Certainly DO NOT USE THIS if you are using a public PC or one that is not your own. |
| Display tab > Display configuration | Use the slider to change the size of the Desktop on your PC. Check the ‘Use all my monitors’ checkbox if you have multiple monitors and you want the Desktop to use all of them. Colours should always be set to Highest Quality but you might want to reduce this if you have a poor internet connection. |
| Local resources tab > Local devices and resources | Click [More] to see what other local resources you can connect to your Desktop. Check the boxes of the resources you would like to access from your Desktop. Most useful is ‘Drives’, i.e. your local hard drives, so you can copy data (files and folders) between your PC and Desktop. Check the box to connect all drives or click ‘+’ to see a list of all drives and select specific drives you want to use. |
As we said, there are many other options, but these are the main ones. Search the internet for explanations of the other options or contact us for help. Remember to return to the General tab and click [Save] to save any changes you make.
Logging in from an iOS device (iPhone or iPad)
You will first need to install a Remote Desktop app to your iOS device. There are several apps available, so please choose one for your preference. For example, click here to go to the Microsoft website for instructions to download, install and configure the Microsoft Remote Desktop app for iOS. You will need your desktop account details.
Ignore the section entitled ‘Set up yor PC to accept remote connections’ (or similar). The ‘PC’ is our Desktop platform, which is already set up. Follow the instructions to ‘Add a PC’:
| PC Name | Enter Server as provided in the email we sent you, e.g. farm2.prelude.software |
| User Account | Enter Username as provided in the email we sent you, e.g. appsservers\username |
| Friendly Name | Enter your own preference |
| Admin Mode | Do not enable Admin Mode |
| GATEWAY | Enter rds.prelude.software and enable Bypass for Local addresses |
| DEVICE & AUDIO REDIRECTION | Enable your own preferences, we recommend Clipboard at least |
Logging in from a macOS device (Mac computer or MacBook)
You will first need to install a Remote Desktop app to your macOS device. There are several apps available, so please choose one for your preference. For example, click here to go to the Microsoft website for instructions to download, install and configure the Microsoft Remote Desktop app for macOS. You will need your desktop account details.
Ignore the section entitled ‘Set up yor PC to accept remote connections’ (or similar). The ‘PC’ is our Desktop platform, which is already set up. Much of the content of this article is not relevant. Use it to provide the link to download the app, or get it from the App Store. Otherwise follow the iOS instructions to ‘Add a PC’.
Logging in from an Android device (Chromebook or Smartphone)
You will first need to install a Remote Desktop app to your Android device. There are several apps available, so please choose one for your preference. For example, click here to view instructions to install and configure the Microsoft Remote Desktop app. You will need your Desktop account details.
Logging off your Desktop account
When you have finished with your Desktop session, it is important to close all open applications and log off. Otherwise the session will eventually be disconnected and terminated after an idle period, which could cause corruption or loss of data. As we said at the top, your desktop is a remotely-hosted PC. At the end of your working day, you close the applications on your PC to save the data and you must do the same on your desktop. After you have closed all the applications, select [Log off] from the Start menu.
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