Enable Remote Desktop
Remote desktop is a feature that is available with most operating systems. It can come in handy if you want to access your computer from another location or if you need to give someone else access to your computer, for technical support other reasons. You can enable remote desktop on your computer by following these steps.
Contents
Steps
Windows XP
- Click the "Start" button. Choose "Control Panel." Click "Performance and Maintenance." Click the icon labeled "System."
- Choose the "Remote" tab. Check the box labeled "Allow users to connect remotely to this computer" and click "OK."
- Navigate back to the "Control Panel" and the "Pick a category" screen. Choose "Security Center" and then click "Windows Firewall." Uncheck the "Don't allow exceptions" box.
- Select the "Exceptions" tab and check the "Remote desktop" box. Click "OK."
- Leave your computer running and leave it connected to the Internet. Your computer is now ready to be accessed remotely.
Windows Vista and Windows 7
- Click the "Start" button.
- Right-click on "Computer" first and choose "Properties."
- Find the "Task" menu on the left side of the window. Click on "Remote settings."
- Put a check mark in the box next to "Allow Remote Assistance connections to this computer" under "Remote Assistance." Click either one of the radio buttons that allow remote connections. Make sure the "Don't allow connections to this computer" radio button is not checked. Click apply and OK.
- Leave your computer running and make sure it stays connected to the Internet. Your computer is now ready to be accessed remotely.
Mac OS
- Click the "Apple" menu. Choose "System Preferences." Click on "Internet & Network" and then click on "Sharing."
- Highlight "Apple Remote Desktop" and check to see if the "Remote Desktop Control On" message appears. If it does not, click the button below it to activate it.
- Turn off the firewall by clicking on the firewall tab and clicking the "Stop" button. If your firewall is already turned off, the "Stop" button will not appear. Your computer is now ready to be accessed remotely.
Tips
- If you find that you cannot access the remote desktop settings in Windows Vista or Windows 7, log in as administrator on your computer. Click the "Start" button and click "Log off." You will be taken to the log in screen, where you can choose "Administrator" and enter the administrator password.
- In Windows Vista and Windows 7, firewall settings change automatically when you make various changes to your computer's settings. Therefore, there is no need to change firewall settings manually after enabling remote desktop if you are using either of these operating systems.
Warnings
- Remote desktop should never been enabled permanently. Turn off remote desktop and activate your firewall when you are not using the remote desktop feature. This will protect against adware and other similar threats.
Related Articles
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- Set up Remote Desktop Web Connection with Windows XP
- Emulate a Remote Linux Desktop from Microsoft Windows
- Do a Remote Shutdown for a PC on a LAN
