Thread: Using Windows Remote Desktop Connection

Microsoft introduced its Remote Desktop Connection with Windows XP. It permits you to attach to other PC distantly either over a network or over the internet. When you are attached to remote PC you are really controlling it and seeing the remote PC’s desktop etc. This comes in useful for states like using your work PC from home. Remote Desktop is same to Terminal Services software utilized on Windows server operating system which has been around for some years. It permits many users to log into similar PC at similar time and utilize it remotely.

To utilize Remote Desktop you want to recognize two things. If you are using it on similar network as PC you want to attach to then you want to do is type PC’s IP address or PC name. If remote PC has a static IP address it creates it simple to utilize since you will always know what IP address of remote system is.

You want to recognize public or internet IP address of remote PC as you unable to utilize PC name if remote desktop used over internet.

You want to ensure that public IP address you are using is mapped to private IP address. Means when you attach to public IP address it obtains forwarded to actual IP address linked with remote PC. This can generally be setup through your router or firewall.

To begin Remote Desktop Connection go to Start, Programs, Accessories, Communications and then Remote Desktop Connection. You will notice a screen like the following.



On General Tab you can enter information like computer name or IP address of PC you wants to connect. If you want to log into remote PC or domain automatically you can enter information earlier than clicking on Connect.

On Display tab you can select what resolution and color depth you want to utilize for remote connection.

The Local Resources tab permits you to set options like hearing remote PCs sounds through speakers, permitting Windows key combinations and sharing hard drives, printers and serial ports.

The Programs tab permits you to begin a particular program after connection is created by typing in path to that program.

The Connections tab is vital as it will decide how easily your remote connection works. There are main options to check or uncheck here.



The connections tab has included configurations for your connection based on how you are connecting to remote PC. Options contain Modem, Broadband, LAN and Custom. If you select custom you can decide such options as whether or not you want remote PC’s background to display. This would certainly slow down your connection over a dial up modem as it would have to transfer desktop picture over your internet connection as you are attempting to work.

If you are surprised how you can utilize this useful aspect of Windows XP on your non XP PC. Remote Desktop Client can be installed on a PC having Windows 95 and up.