Windows Remote Desktop Connections

Recently, my wife has been considering doing a little computer work for her office from home. Since they don’t exactly have an IT department, I get to help them out from time to time. At first, the folks at her office believed that they needed to buy some specialized software to facilitate the remote connection. I was glad to tell them that they already had all they need: Windows XP Pro, and a static IP address.

Remote Desktop Connection is a utility that comes with Windows XP. It allows a user to connect to another computer remotely via a network connection or the Internet. When connecting from within a local network (like in an office environment), you can use the Computer Name to connect to another computer. If you are connecting to another computer via the Internet, you must know that computer’s public IP address.

Anyone can use Remote Desktop Connection regardless if they have Windows XP Home or Windows XP Pro. However, if you are using Windows XP Home, you must have updated to at least Service Pack 2 for this option to be available. Also note that you can only connect to a computer that is running Windows XP Pro. It is impossible to connect to a computer running Windows XP Home with Remote Desktop Connection.

To clarify, you may initiate a remote connection from either Windows XP Home or Windows XP Pro. However, the computer you’re connecting to must be running XP Pro (or Windows Server 2003).
[ad name=”468×60″]
If you’re using Windows XP Home and aren’t sure if you are running Service Pack 2, you can see if Remote Desktop Connection is available to you by doing the following:

1. Click Start
2. Click All Programs
3. Navigate through Accessories > Communications > Remote Desktop Connection

If you do not see Remote Desktop Connection under the Communications menu, you probably need to run Windows Update to get the latest updates for your computer.

If Remote Desktop Connection is available to you, you may click it to open the connection window. Also, if you feel that you may need to use Remote Desktop Connection very often, you can right-click it and choose Send to > Desktop to create a shortcut on your Desktop.

To start a remote connection:

1. Open Remote Desktop Connection
2. Enter the IP address or Computer Name in the Computer: field.
3. Click the Connect button.
4. Enter the Login information for the remote computer (user name and password) and click OK.
5. A new window will open that displays the remote computer’s desktop.

** Note: If another user happened to be logged into the computer your are remotely connecting to, they may be locked out of the computer until you end the remote session.

Once connected, you may use your mouse and keyboard to control the remote computer. You can open and use any programs that are installed on the remote computer, make system changes, etc. The only things that don’t work well are programs that depend on rapid screen refreshes, like watching a video or playing a video game (sorry, gamers!).

If you were not able to initiate a remote connection, check the following:

1. Double check the Computer Name or IP address. A typo will prevent you from connecting.
2. Make sure your connection to the network or Internet is working.
3. Ensure that the computer you are attempting to connect to allows remote connections.

If you are still unable to connect, it is possible that a power outage or a lapse in Internet connectivity at the remote site is preventing you from connecting.

When you wish to end the remote connection, you may do one of two things: Disconnect or Log Off. Disconnecting will allow you to leave programs running once your have ended your remote session. If you Log off, all programs will be closed and the account you signed into will be logged out.

To Disconnect, simply click the X in the top-right corner of the screen or click Start > Disconnect (the later is recommended). To Log off, click Start > Log Off.

Happy remoting!