With Remote Desktop on Windows XP Professional, Vista or Windows 7, you can have access to a Windows session that is running on your computer when you are at another computer. This means, for example, that you can connect to your work computer from home and have access to all of your applications, files, and network resources as though you were in front of your computer at work. You can leave programs running at work and when you get home, you can see your desktop at work displayed on your home computer, with the same programs running.
When you connect to your computer at work, Remote Desktop automatically locks that computer so no one else can access your applications and files while you are gone. When you come back to your computer at work, you can unlock it by typing CTRL+ALT+DEL.
To use Remote Desktop, you need the following:
- A computer running Windows XP Professional, Vista or Windows 7 ("remote" computer) with a connection to a Local Area Network or the Internet. A second computer ("home" computer) with access to the Local Area Network via network connection, modem, or Virtual Private Network (VPN) connection. This computer must have Remote Desktop Connection, formerly called the Terminal Services client, installed. Appropriate user accounts and permissions.
You can connect from your home to computer at work by following these steps:
1. While at work find out your computer name:
A computer name identifies your computer on the network. Each computer on the network must have a unique name. If two computers have the same name, it creates a conflict for network communications. To find out your computer name click on Start - Control Panel - System - Computer Name. You should see Full computer name. name. njitdm. campus. njit. edu (if your computer joins NJITDM domain. Please remember this name or write it down for your reference.
Allow users to connect remotely to this computer. Click on Start - Control Panel - System - Remote. Check the check box: "Allow users to connect remotely to this computer".
2. From home:
In order to connect from home, you must be connected via VPN. For VPN download and installation instructions please click here.
Go to Start - Accessories - Communications - Remote Desktop Connection. (Some systems my have the Remote Desktop Connection directly inside the Accessories menu.) Type the computer name that you want to connect to in the Computer: text box. Click on Connect button.
Type your user name and password. You can minimize your remote connection any time.
