Use Windows XP's Built in Remote Desktop Utility

Remote Desktop Utility allows you to access your computer from anywhere in the world, as long as you have internet connection. Windows XP has such a utility, and now you can access the awesome power provided by it.

Steps

  1. Remote Desktop must be enabled on all the computers to which you wish to connect. To ensure that it is enabled, follow these steps:
  2. Right click the My Computer icon on your desktop or start menu and click properties.
  3. Click the Remote tab at the top of the system properties window and check the box next to "Allow users to connect remotely to this computer."
  4. After you have completed these steps, you are ready to connect to another computer. Before you start, make sure both computers are turned on and connected to your Local Area Network (LAN). It also helps if you both have configured the same workgroup as your default, if you are not on a domain configuration. Most home networks are not on a domain.
  5. On the computer you will be connecting from, click Start then select Run and in the new box that appears, type "mstsc" then press ENTER. OR Go to START, select ALL PROGRAMS, Select ACCESSORIES, select COMMUNICATIONS, then click REMOTE DESKTOP CONNECTION.
  6. Type the IP address or name of the computer you wish to connect to in the connection window.
  7. Log in using the username and password supplied by the computer owner. You can not sign into a Limited Account using Remote Desktop.



Tips

  • To find the name of the computer you wish to connect to log onto that computer and right click My Computer, click properties, and click the Computer name tab.
  • If you are behind a router you will want to forward ports to the computer you are using (TCP 3389 by default). To do this you will have to open your router's configuration (usually 192.168.0.1, 192.168.1.1 or something similar, to find out open a command prompt window and type "ip config /all", and type in the "Default Gateway" address into your internet browser) and go into the port forwarding panel.
  • The computer you are connecting to must have a password (the login password cannot be blank).
  • If the computer name does not work, try using its IP address (see How to Find out Your IP Address)
  • Use Start/Settings/Control Panel/Systems icon if you don't have a My Computer icon on your desktop.
  • If you are behind a firewall you will want to unblock the port Remote Desktop uses (TCP 3389 by default).
  • If you have a dynamic IP address, set up an alias (if you are not using Remote Desktop in a Local Area Network)

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