Connecting personally-owned laptops to the WSU network

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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 Display Resolution: 1920x1080 (1080p) or higher
  • 256 GB Storage or more (total space, not free space)
  • Intel Core i5 processor (6th Gen or newer)
  • 8 GB RAM or more
  • Dual band 802.11ac Wi-Fi or better (Wi-Fi 5 or better)

64-bit edition of Windows 10 (Education, Pro, or Enterprise)

  • Office 2016, Office 2019, or Office 365 installed
    • Office 365 is recommended and is available to download/install via portal.office.com (requires sign in with your StarID)
  • Must have administrative rights on their system or the ability to acquire admin rights as-needed

If you would like to check your personal PC laptop to see if it meets the recommended minimum specs, you can download and run the small utility linked below.

Click here to download WSU's Hardware Compatibility Checker app.

  • When you open the app, Microsoft Defender SmartScreen may say it prevented an unrecognized app from starting. This is expected behavior.
  • Verify the Publisher field says Winona State University, then click MORE INFO, then click RUN ANYWAY.
  • The tool can take 20-40 seconds before it appears on your screen. This is normal and only happens the first time you run it.
  • Click on Check Compatibility to run the WSU Hardware Compatibility Checker.
  • Items with a red X are the ones that do not meet WSU's suggested minimum specs. Green means it passed.
    • If you click on the words next to the red X, you can find more information about why your device fails to meet minimum requirements.
    • If your device has a red X, please call Tech Support to see what you can do to resolve the issue. In many cases, we may be able to help.

MacOS

  • Minimum Display Resolution: 1440x900
  • 256 GB Storage or more (total space, not free space)
  • Intel Core i5 processor (6th Gen or newer)
  • 8 GB RAM or more
  • Dual band 802.11ac Wi-Fi or better (Wi-Fi 5 or better)
  • Must be currently running macOS 10.12 (Sierra) or newer
  • Office 2016, Office 2019, or Office 365 installed
    • Office 365 is recommended and is available to download/install via portal.office.com (requires sign in with your StarID)
  • Must have administrative rights on their system or the ability to acquire admin rights as-needed

To find this info, look for the Apple menu at the top left of your screen. Click the picture of the Apple icon, then click About This Mac.

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.

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