How to Set Up a Remote Desktop

Level of difficulty: Easy

A remote desktop is a component included in the Windows XP Professional Operating System. This allows you to have access to your own computer through a LAN (Local Area Network) or the Internet. You can access all the files and run the applications that you have on your computer at home by using another computer.

Materials Needed:
- Remote Computer that runs on Windows 95 or later
- a host Computer that runs on Windows XP Professional
- Internet connection
Step 1
Before starting, make sure that your computer allows remote desktop connections. You also need to be the computer’s administrator to be able to access your computer from a remote computer.
Step 2
Get the name of your computer. Click on 'Start' on the desktop and choose 'Control Panel'. Select the 'System' icon. A window will appear. Select the 'Computer Name' tab. Remember the name beside 'Full computer name:'. Close the window.
Step 3
Once you are signed in on the host computer as the administrator, click on the 'Start' button on the lower left part of the desktop. Select 'Control Panel' and click on 'Performance and Maintenance'.
Step 4
Select the system icon located on the bottom part of the window. Select the 'Remote' tab on the window. Check the box that says 'Allow users to connect remotely to this computer'.
Step 5
Make sure that your computer can be accessed without a firewall blocking the system. Access the control panel of the computer by clicking on 'Start' and selecting 'Control Panel' on the menu. Choose 'Security Center' from the list of icons.
Step 6
Choose 'Windows Firewall' from the choices on the bottom of the window. Another window will appear on the screen. Make sure to uncheck the box that says 'Don’t allow exceptions'.
Step 7
Click on the 'Exceptions' tab on the window. Check the box that says 'Remote Desktop'.
Step 8
Go to a remote computer. Click on 'Start' on the desktop. Choose 'All Programs' and select 'Accessories' from the menu. Another menu will appear. Choose 'Communication' from the menu and finally, choose 'Remote Desktop Connection'.
Step 9
A window will appear. Type the name of the computer that you want to connect to. The name that you will type here is the name that you got from Step 2. A log-in window will appear. Provide the username and the password for your computer. Click 'OK'.
Step 10
You can now access your computer from the remote computer. Log-off the remote computer and you will also be logged off from your computer.