How to Access a Home Computer from Work

What would you do without your computer?

With more employees working on their home computers and needing access to files, the demand to have access to our computers anytime and anywhere is great. Read on to find out some simple ways to get yourself on-line when you need to be.

Things You'll Need

• To access your home computer from work you'll obviously need a computer
• VPN software (*optional)
• GoToMyPC* (optional but strongly preferred)
• Flash drive (*optional and get extended memory as well if you are able)

Instructions

1. Figure out how to access. Many of us have VPN opportunities or software that allow us to access our work computers at home (so we can burn the midnight oil). But what do you need if the situation is reversed? First off, talk to your IT department at work. If you need access to your home computer at work because it's work related or for work files that are too large to carry on a flash drive or USB drive then most likely your IT department can give you the necessary VPN software that allows you the remote access.

2. Find out your alternatives. If VPN isn't an option, there are several software options that can give you remote access to your home computer from work including Gotomypc.com. For mere pennies a day you can access your home computer anywhere in the world on any computer as long as there is Internet access. Go to the web site, log in and BOOM--there's your home desktop right in front of you. You can drop and drag files from one computer to the next and even print something from your home computer at any printer available, even at work. It is the best invention ever and one that is taking the marketplace by storm.

3. 

   Buy what you need. If you don't have an Internet connection there are a number of "Sharepoint" type soft-wares available at any of the computer mega-stores including Best Buy or on-line. Usually sold via license (meaning you could put on one computer at work and that's it), the typical cost is $25 and it works similar to a VPN but there are Windows Vista options available as well.

4. Get a flashdrive. Worst case scenario, you can purchase a flash drive or USB drives to cart around your home computer files (on a small drive) and then just insert it into your work computer and you've got your files.