Below you will find a short how-to guide (with pictures) for using the Connect feature.

NOTE: This only applies to Windows laptop/Surface users on campus connecting to classrooms/labs/conference-rooms equipped with Windows computers.

Microsoft first came out with the “Connect” feature on Windows 10 a few years ago.
This feature wirelessly displays your computer’s screen (aka casting/mirroring) onto another computer’s screen (that’s presumably connected to a projector/TV).
The last major update for Windows 10 released earlier this year finally brought the Connect feature to primetime use on enterprise WiFi networks.
As such, we have enabled this feature on all eligible* Windows computers (that are connected to projectors/TVs) in classrooms, computer labs, and conference rooms (e.g. TH 302, GH 102) on campus.

It’s simple/easy, and only requires a few clicks.

What does this mean for you:

Instead of using the existing computer in the classroom/lab/conference-room, you can bring your own laptop/Surface to the room and wirelessly project its screen onto the projector. There is no lag or loss of quality/functionality. NO CABLES REQUIRED.
You can even walk around the room with your Surface in hand, or sit anywhere in the room with your laptop.

A few things to keep in mind:

Both computers have to be running the latest version/update of Windows 10.
The newly released Windows 11 will also work with the Connect feature, but we have yet to install Windows 11 on any campus-owned computers. As such, this functionality is not yet officially supported by USAO’s IT department from any Windows 11 computers.
It is also possible to use your Android device (running the latest firmware) to wirelessly project to a Windows 10 computer with the Connect feature enabled. However, the USAO IT department officially supports the use of the Connect feature only from Windows 10 computers.
Both computers have to be on the campus WiFi network. The Connect feature will not work for connecting from/to a computer on a wired network connection.
* The following rooms are where the Connect feature will not work because the room’s computer is either on a wired network connection (due to the room’s AV setup) or due to having a non-Windows operating system (i.e. Apple macOS):

AH 307 – has a wired network connection
GH 202 – has a wired network connection
DH 224 – has a wired network connection
DH 310 – has Mac computers
DH Little Theatre – has a Mac computer
Music Annex – has a Mac computer
Te Ata auditorium – has a Mac computer
Ballroom – will soon have a Mac computer
Regents Room – will soon have a Mac computer

IT’s $0.02:

In an ideal world, any laptop/tablet/smartphone would be able to easily connect wirelessly to any computer/projector/TV. But at the moment, it is not possible (at least not easily) to connect wirelessly on all cross-platform levels (e.g. macOS/iOS to Windows, or Windows/Android to macOS/iOS, etc.). This is mostly dependent on the proprietary technologies developed by the major tech companies (Microsoft, Apple, Google, Amazon, Samsung etc.). And while there are a myriad of third-party technology solutions available for accomplishing almost anything (albeit with increased complexity), our aim in the IT department is to always (try to) keep everything as simple as possible (and without spending a fortune). As such, we prefer to only deploy features/technologies on campus after considerable testing/experimentation to (try to) eliminate as many bugs and “gotchas”, and to keep the solution easy to use. Rest assured, the IT department at USAO is always exploring existing and emerging technologies for enhancing the classroom/lab computing experience 😊

If you run into any issues using the Connect feature from your laptop/Surface, please send an email to ithelpdesk@usao.edu

Thank you.

Regards,
Adeel Siddiqui

Director of Network Services
Information Technology
University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma
Chickasha, OK 73018
(405) 574-1319

How-To Connect Laptop or Surface Wirelessly to Classroom-Lab Computers.pdf