Personal tools
You are here: Home → Help → Computing Help - All Topics → Miscellaneous → Remote Access to your Office Windows Computer
 

Remote Access to your Office Windows Computer

Windows XP computers can be remote-controlled using their built-in "Remote Desktop" (RDP) feature.  This feature allows you to access the programs and files installed on your Windows XP office computer from any other Internet-connected Windows computer.

Getting started with Remote Desktop

  1. Determine your office computer's Internet address by visiting this page. The address will look similar to "130.111.11.11" Write your address down for later use.  Note:  This address may change periodically.  Recheck it if you have not used RDP recently.
  2. Verify that Remote Desktop is enabled on your office computer.
    1. Right-click the "My Computer" icon on your computer desktop and select "Properties"  Click the "Remote" tab and ensure that both checkboxes are checked.

      2. remotedesktop_03.jpg

    2. In Start Menu | Control Panel | Windows Firewall, on the "Exceptions" tab, ensure the list contains "Remote Desktop" and that it is checked.

      3. remotedesktop_07.jpg

    3. Click on the Remote Desktop line and then click the edit button.  Click the "Change Scope" button on the next window and ensure that "Any Computer...." is selected.  Click OK, OK, OK to close all the firewall settings Windows you opened.
  3. Make the connection from your remote computer to your office computer (requires that your office computer is turned on).
    1. Find the "Remote Desktop Connection" icon on your computer's Start Menu.  Its not always in the same place on all computers.  Here's some places to look for it.
      1. Start Menu | All Programs
      2. Start Menu | All Programs | Accessories
      3. Start Menu | All Programs | Communications
    2. If you can't find "Remote Desktop Connection," use the "Run" command from the Start Menu and type the command "mstsc" and click OK
    3. If the "Run" command doesn't work, you may need to download the free client from Microsoft.
      1. http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/downloads/tools/rdclientdl.mspx
  4. When the client starts it looks like this.

    rdpconnect.jpg
  5. Type your office computer's address in the "Computer" box and click Connect.
  6. After the two computers establish a connection, you will be presented with a login box for the remote computer.  Use the same user name and password you use when logging in to your office computer.  Note:  Make sure you select your normal login domain in the "Log on to:" box.  If this box isn't visible, click the "Options" button to show it.   Typically Bangor offices use the "SWS" domain and Orono the "UMS" domain.

    rdplogin.jpg
  7. You will see your office computer's normal desktop screen after successfully logging in.
  8. You may now use your office computer as if you were sitting at it.
  9. To disconnect, select Start Menu | Logoff or use "Disconnect" if you have programs that need to continue running on your office computer.

For more information about using a computer through Remote Desktop Connection, including special keys screen size, remote printing, etc., open the Windows help center from the Start Menu and search for "use remote desktop connection"


Document Actions