How to Set Up a Remote Access Connection
Setting up a remote access connection from one computer to another involves establishing a software connection between the two computers through the internet or a local area network. While this process may sound complex, it's actually not, and you can complete it in a very short amount of time. In this article, you'll learn how to set up a remote access connection between two Windows XP computers.
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Instructions
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Decide which computer you want to connect from (the connecting computer) and which computer you want to connect to (the receiving computer). On the receiving computer, right click on My Computer and select the Properties button. Click on the Remote tab and check the box to enable incoming connections to your computer. Click the OK button to apply this setting and close the window.
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Determine the IP address of the receiving computer. If you will be connecting over the internet, this can be done by going to the website WhatIsMyIP.com and looking at the IP address that is displayed there. If you are connecting over a local area network, open a command prompt on the receiving computer (Click Start, Run, type CMD and press Enter) and type the command IPCONFIG into the window. Look for the IP address entry for the local area connection you are currently using. Write the IP address down, as you will need it.
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Go to the connecting computer and click Start, Run and type MSTSC in the run box. In the Remote Desktop Connection window that appears, type in the IP address of the receiving computer and press Enter. You will be prompted to enter a username and password for an account on the receiving computer, which you should do. Once you enter this information, your connection will be established.
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Tips & Warnings
If you want to set up a remote access connection between other Windows-based machines, the process is virtually identical to the one described in this article. If you want to set up a remote access connection between Linux or Macintosh computers, you'll need to consult the user and online help manuals for those operating systems.
Remote Desktop sessions work best when both computers are connected to the web via a high-speed (DSL or higher) internet connection, or they are both on a local area network connection.
Disable any firewall software on the receiving computer, or put an exception in the software to allow connections to and from port 3389, the default Remote Desktop Connection port.
