How to Enable a Telnet Server on Windows XP

By Joshua Laud

i Photos.com/Photos.com/Getty Images

Telnet is a type of connection tool that you can make with another computer to allow remote control of your system. If you want to connect via Telnet then you need to make sure that the Telnet services are enabled for your operating system. Microsoft began setting Telnet services to disabled by default, due to the security hole that is open when enabled. It is recommended only to enable the service when you need to use it. The Telnet service is not available at all in Windows XP Home, only the Professional edition.

Step 1

Click "Start," then click "Run." Type "services.msc" (without quotations) and click "OK" to open up the Windows Services module.

Step 2

Locate the Telnet service entitled "TlntSvr" (with a Process Name of "tlntsvr.exe").

Step 3

Right-click the Telnet service and click "Properties."

Step 4

Click "Start" to start the Telnet service, then change the "Startup Type" if you want to change startup options. Click "Apply," then "OK" to save changes. Reboot the computer if prompted. Be sure to turn the service off, by clicking "Stop" in the properties, once you have finished using the service.

×