| There are several services available now that | | | | tcp port 3389 to your host computer.How to |
| allow you to | | | | Configure the Remote Desktop serviceOn the |
| remotely access your computer from any other | | | | host computer, go to the control panel and double |
| machine in the | | | | |
| world, as long as it is connected to the internet. | | | | click the system icon. Click the Remote tab, and |
| The good | | | | then click |
| news is that Windows XP Professional has this | | | | to select the Allow users to connect remotely to |
| functionality | | | | this |
| built into the operating system. In this article, I | | | | computer check box. Administrators are granted |
| am going | | | | access by |
| to show you how to configure your Windows XP | | | | default, but there is an option to add other user |
| Professional | | | | accounts |
| computer to support remote access using the | | | | if needed. Click on OK to save your |
| Remote Desktop | | | | changes.Connecting to your computerOn the client |
| feature.To use Remote Desktop you will need | | | | PC, you will need a software client called |
| the following:A host computer (the one you want | | | | Remote Desktop Connection. Computers running |
| to access remotely) that | | | | Windows XP Home |
| is running Microsoft Windows XP Professional and | | | | and Professional already have this client installed. |
| is | | | | If you |
| connected to the Internet.A client computer (the | | | | are connecting from a client PC that is running |
| one you will use when remotely | | | | another |
| accessing your PC) running Microsoft Windows | | | | version of windows, you will need to install the |
| XP, Microsoft | | | | Remote |
| Windows Millennium Edition (Me), Microsoft | | | | Desktop Connection software. You can download |
| Windows 98, | | | | the software |
| Microsoft Windows 98 Second Edition, Microsoft | | | | for free from Microsoft's website. The next step |
| Windows 2000, | | | | is to run |
| Microsoft Windows NT 4.0, or Microsoft Windows | | | | the Remote Desktop Connection software so |
| 95, with | | | | you can connect to |
| access to the Internet.Appropriate user accounts | | | | your computer. To do this, Click Start, point to |
| and permissions configured on the | | | | All |
| remote Windows XP Professional to allow | | | | Programs, point to Accessories, point to |
| remote access.The IP address of your home | | | | Communications, and |
| computer. You can figure this | | | | then click Remote Desktop Connection. From |
| out by going to a site like The only | | | | here you just |
| problem with this is that your ISP may | | | | need to enter the IP address or DNS host name |
| dynamically change | | | | and click on |
| this address from time to time. I would | | | | connect.Obviously, there are security implications |
| recommend using a | | | | that need to be |
| free dynamic DNS provider, such as This will | | | | considered when opening ports on you firewall or |
| allow you to assign a public DNS record to your | | | | NAT router |
| computer, | | | | and exposing your machine to the internet. |
| such as You will need to have tcp | | | | Please consider |
| port 3389 open on your firewall. If your machine | | | | all of the security risks and decide whether or |
| is behind a | | | | not this |
| firewall or NAT router you will need to forward | | | | method will work for you. |
| traffic on | | | | |