How to Set Up a Microsoft Remote Desktop Connection in OS X

You can connect to a Windows PC from a Mac OS X computer using the Remote Desktop Connection Client. The RDC client for Macintosh is available as a free download from Microsoft's Mactopia Web site. It allows you to operate a Windows machine over your network or the Internet. Remote Desktop Sharing is built into every Windows computer since the release of XP Professional.

Instructions

Configure Windows

1. Open the "System" window from the "Start" and "Control Panel" menu.

2. Select the "Remote" tab in the "System" window.

3. Check the box labeled "Allow users to connect remotely to this computer." Click "Apply."

Connect With the RDC Client

1. Download and open the disk image containing the Remote Desktop Connection Client installer from Microsoft.

2. Run the installer from the disk image.

3. Start the RDC Client program in the Mac's "Application" folder.

4. Enter the Internet Protocol number or network name of the Window's machine you want to control. Click "Connect."

5. Enter an administrator user name and password for the Windows computer in the RDC window that opens. You will be able to control the Windows machine from your Macintosh over the network as if you were sitting at the actual machine.

Tips & Warnings

• You will be able to print to your Mac OS X computer's printer from Windows within the RDC client window.

• You may need to edit your firewall settings so that you have direct network access between the two computers.

References

• Microsoft MacTopia: Remote Desktop Connection Client
• Indiana University: How Do I Use Remote Desktop to Access My Remote Computer