How to Install a Remote Desktop

One of the lesser-known features of Microsoft Windows XP and Vista, the Remote Desktop function allows users to connect to their home or work PC and access its files without having to actually be where the computer is located. Before the Remote Desktop function can be used, however, the computer that will be accessed has to have its Remote Desktop set up so that it can be accessed. The process is relatively easy and ensures that only authorized users will be able to access the computer remotely.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Remote Desktop in Windows XP

1. Open the "Start Menu," then open the "Control Panel." Select the "Add/Remove Programs" option from those in Windows XP's "Control Panel" window.

2. Choose "Add/Remove Windows Components" from the available options in the Add/Remove Programs window. It may take a moment for all of your options to be listed.

3. Select the "Internet Information Services" option from the available Windows components. Click the "Details" button to access further options from which you can activate the Remote Desktop.

4. Select the "World Wide Web Services" option. As before, click the "Details" button in order to open the options window which will let you turn on the Remote Desktop function.

5. Click the "Remote Desktop Web Connection" checkbox and then click "OK." You will also need to click the "OK" buttons on the "World Wide Web Services" window as well as the "Internet Information Services" window.

6. Follow the on-screen instructions in the Windows Component Wizard, clicking the "Next" button to move through it until your Remote Desktop has been set up.

7. Open the "Control Panel" again, this time choosing the "System" option. From the System menu, select the "Remote" tab to add users who are authorized to access your Remote Desktop.

8. Click "Allow users to connect remotely to this computer," then click the "Select Remote Users..." option to choose the computer's users who will be allowed to access the computer via Remote Desktop. Once you have selected the users, click "OK" to exit.

Remote Desktop in Windows Vista

9. Open the Start menu and select the Control Panel just as you would in Windows XP. Instead of choosing "Add/Remove Programs", however, select "System." Click the "Remote Settings" option from the left-side menu of the System window.

10. Click the "Allow connections from computers running any version of Remote Desktop" option in the "Remote" tab of the System Properties menu. If you are sure that the computer that you will be connecting from has network level authentication and want a more secure connection then you can choose "Allow connections only from computers running Remote Desktop with Network Level Authentication" instead, though if the computer you connect from can't be authenticated then the connection will be rejected. Network level authentication is only available for computers running Windows Vista or Windows 7.

11. Click "Apply," then click "OK." Windows Vista will automatically set up your computer (including any firewall software that you might have) in order to allow the connection. You may have to reboot your computer in order for the changes to take effect.

Tips & Warnings

• Any user who will be able to access the Remote Desktop on your computer will have to have a password on their account; if a user account that you wish to allow remote access doesn't have a password, you will have to assign one to it before it can be added to the "Remote Users" list.
• Remote Desktop features for Windows Vista are available for Vista Ultimate and Business editions, but are not included in Vista Home editions.

References

• Microsoft Support - Installing a Remote Desktop Web Connection
• HowToGeek.com - Turn on Remote Desktop in Windows Vista
• Indiana University Knowledge Base - Using Remote Desktop to Access a Remote Computer