How to Use the Remote Desktop Feature of Windows XP Professional

MORE INFORMATION

To use Remote Desktop, you need the following:

How to Configure a Remote Desktop

To configure a remote desktop connection between a remote Windows XP Professional-based computer and a local computer running one of the versions of Windows listed earlier in this article, follow these steps.

NOTE: If you have a router or a DSL modem with a router built in, click the appropriate link below for the procedure to forward TCP port 3389 for RDP (Remote Desktop Protocol). The procedure will be similar for other router models not listed. See manufacturer's documentation for the specific steps to follow.

Step 1: Configure the Remote Computer

On the remote Windows XP Professional-based computer, follow these steps:

1. Click Start, and then right-click My Computer.
2. On the shortcut menu that appears, click Properties.
3. Click the Remote tab, and then click to select the Allow users to connect remotely to this computer check box.
4. When you are prompted to confirm this change, click OK.
5. Click Select Remote Users, and then click Add to specify additional user accounts to be granted remote access.
   
   NOTE: Administrators are automatically granted remote access privileges.
6. When you are finished adding user accounts, click OK. Make sure that the account that is being added does actually exist on the remote computer. If the account does not exist on the remote computer, create it.
7. Click OK, and then click OK again.

Step 2: Configure the Local Computer

Configure the Remote Desktop feature on the Windows-based computer. To do this, follow these steps:

1. Insert the Windows XP compact disc (CD) into the CD-ROM drive or DVD-ROM drive on the local computer.
2. On the Welcome to Microsoft Windows XP screen that appears, click Perform additional tasks.
3. Click Set up Remote Desktop Connection.
4. Follow the steps of the Remote Desktop Connection InstallShield Wizard to install Remote Desktop Connection.
   
   NOTE: If Remote Desktop Connection is already installed, you may receive the following error message:
    
   Remote Desktop Connection cannot be installed because your operating system already has a built-in version. See More Programs\Accessories\Communications\Remote Desktop Connections on your start menu.

   NOTE: In addition, you can download the Remote Desktop Client from the following Microsoft Web site:

   www.microsoft.com/WINDOWSXP/pro/downloads/rdclientdl.asp

Step 3: Connect to the Remote Computer

To connect to the remote Windows XP Professional-based computer, follow these steps:

1. Log on to the local Windows-based computer.
2. Make sure that you are connected to the Internet or to the LAN. If you require a dial-up connection to a virtual private network (VPN) or Remote Access server, connect to it.
3. Click Start, point to All Programs, point to Accessories, point to Communications, and then click Remote Desktop Connection.
4. Click Options.
5. In the Computer list, type the host name or the IP address of the computer to which you want to connect.
6. Type the user name, password, and domain (if applicable) of an account to which you have allowed remote access into the corresponding boxes, and then click Connect.
7. In the Log On to Windows dialog box that appears, type the password of the account with remote access privileges into the Password box .
8. In the Log on to list, if applicable, select the domain or remote computer that you want, and then click OK.
   
   The remote desktop is displayed in a window on the desktop. The remote Windows XP Professional-based computer is locked during this session.
9. To disconnect the session, click the Close button in the session window, and then click OK when you are prompted to disconnect the Windows session.
   
   NOTE: If the remote session is displayed in full-screen mode, you may be unable to see the Close button. In this case, restore the window from the remote session banner that is displayed at the top of the session window (click the Restore button).

For additional information about Remote Desktop, click the article numbers below to view the articles in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

280828 How a Remote Desktop Connection Affects Windows XP Professional

300698 The Features of the Remote Desktop Client in Windows XP

306759 How to Change the Listening Port for Remote Desktop

281262 HOW TO: Turn On Remote Desktop Automatic Logon