Connecting personally-owned laptops to the WSU network

About this article

This article includes instructions for connecting a personally-owned laptop to the WSU campus network. It is intended for WSU students and employees with a valid WSU network account.

Antivirus must be installed

All computer equipment attached to the WSU network must have an antivirus program installed, updated and fully functional to ensure your laptop is free from any viruses or malware.

WSU students and employees

Wired access

Use a network cable to connect your laptop to any network port on campus. Network cables can be checked out from the Technical Support Center in Somsen 207 or the Information Gallery in the Krueger Library. They can also be purchased from the bookstore.

Wireless access

Minimum Specs

WINDOWS

• Minimum Resolution: 1920x1080
• 256 GB Storage Drive
• Intel Core i5 processor (6th Gen or newer) with 8 GB RAM or AMD equivalent
• Dual band 802.11AC Wi-Fi Networking
• Must be currently running Windows 10x64 (Education, Pro, or Enterprise)
• Office 2016 or Office 365 (Available to download/install via OnTheHub)
• Must have administrative rights to their system

If you would like to check your personal PC laptop to see if you have the minimum specs required you can use the little tool below. Run this on your laptop to generate a list of specs that either meet or not meet requirements.

PC Hardware Compatibiltiy Checker-WSU

• The first window will tell you that Microsoft Defender SmartScreen prevented an unrecognized app from starting. This is expected.
• Click on MORE INFO and then on RUN ANYWAY.
• Click on Check Compatibility
• Items with a red X are the ones that do not meet WSU specs. Green X's means it passed.
  • If you click on the red X a yellow box will appear on the right with information about why it did not meet the requirement.

MacOS

• Minimum Resolution: 1440x900
• 256 GB Storage Drive
• Intel Core i5 processor (6th Gen or newer)
• 8 GB RAM
• Dual band 802.11AC Wi-Fi Networking
• Must be currently running macOS 10.11 (El Capitan) or newer
• Office 2016 or Office 365 (Available to download/install via OnTheHub)
• Must have administrative rights to their system

PC instructions

1. Make sure the wireless button is turned on and that Windows is not in airplane mode.
2. Go to Start, Settings, and click on the wireless icon to pull up a list of available wireless networks.
3. Select the Warrior network.
4. Enter your StarID and password and follow the prompts.

Mac instructions

1. Click the wireless icon on the menu bar near the top right of the screen.
2. If necessary, select Turn Wi-Fi On.
3. Click the wireless icon again, and select Warrior from the list of available networks.
4. Enter your StarID and password.
5. When the Verify Certificate window appears, click Continue.
6. You may be prompted to enter your login password before Wi-Fi connects.

Available resources

Once connected, you will have Internet and network file directory access. You will not have access to WSU licensed software or network printers from a personally-owned laptop.

Employees

Access personal and department file directories. Once connected to the warrior network, run \\winona.edu\dfs\employees. You will see five folders for PersonalStorage, ClassStorage, Department, GroupStorage, and Web-Course1.

Students

Access class file directories by running \\winona.edu\dfs\students. You will be prompted for your StarID and password and see three folders for ClassStorage, GroupStorage and Web-Student Webs.

Technical Support

We encourage students and employees to attempt setting up wireless access on their own with the directions given above. If assistance is needed, contact the Technical Support Center (TechSupport@winona.edu, 507-457-5240, Somsen Hall 207).

Helpful Resources

Grad and PT Student Technology Survival Guide - contains printing information for personally owned laptops.