Connect to Remote Desktop

Connect to another computer using Remote Desktop Connection

With Remote Desktop Connection, you can access a computer running Windows from another computer running Windows that is connected to the same network or to the Internet. For example, you can use all of your work computer's programs, files, and network resources from your home computer, and it's just like you're sitting in front of your computer at work.

To connect to a remote computer, that computer must be turned on, it must have a network connection, Remote Desktop must be enabled, you must have network access to the remote computer (this could be through the Internet), and you must have permission to connect. For permission to connect, you must be on the list of users. The steps below include adding names to that list.

Tip

To find the Remote Desktop Connection shortcut, click the Start button , click All Programs or Programs, and then click Accessories. To quickly open Remote Desktop Connection, open the Start menu, and then type mstsc in the Search box.

Notes

• You cannot use Remote Desktop Connection to connect to computers running Windows Vista Starter, Windows Vista Home Basic, Windows Vista Home Basic N, or Windows Vista Home Premium. You can, however, connect from those editions of Windows Vista to computers running other versions of Windows.
• You cannot use Remote Desktop Connection to connect to computers running Windows XP Home Edition.

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To allow remote connections on the computer you want to connect to

1. Open System by clicking the Start button , clicking Control Panel, clicking System and Maintenance, and then clicking System.
2. Click Remote settings, and then select the one of the three options under "Remote Desktop."  If you are prompted for an administrator password or confirmation, type the password or provide confirmation.
3. Click Select Users. If you are an administrator on the computer, your current user account will automatically be added to the list of remote users and you can skip the next two steps.
4. In the Remote Desktop Users dialog box, click Add.
5. In the Select Users or Groups dialog box, do the following:
   • To specify the search location, click Locations, and then select the location you want to search.
   • In Enter the object names to select, type the name of the user that you want to add, and then click OK.
   The name will be displayed in the list of users in the Remote Desktop Users dialog box.

Note

You can’t connect to a computer that is sleeping or hibernating, so make sure the settings for sleep and hibernation on the remote computer are set to Never. (Hibernation is not available on all computers.) For information about making those changes, see Change, create, or delete a power plan (scheme).

To start Remote Desktop on the computer you want to work from

1. Open Remote Desktop Connection by clicking the Start button , clicking All Programs, clicking Accessories, and then clicking Remote Desktop Connection.
2. In Computer, type the name of the computer that you want to connect to, and then click Connect. (You can also type the IP address instead of the computer name if you want.)
   

   Notes

   • If you know the name of the computer you want to connect to, type it in the Computer box. Otherwise, ask your network administrator the name of the computer or look for the computer name on the computer you want to connect to. For information about finding a computer name, see Find your computer name.
   • When you allow remote connections, Windows Firewall automatically opens the required port. If you are using another firewall, make sure the port for Remote Desktop (usually 3389) is open.