With Remote Desktop Connection, you can connect to a computer running Windows from another computer running Windows that's connected to the same network or to the Internet. For example, you can use all of your work computer's programs, files, and network resources from your home computer, and it's just like you're sitting in front of your computer at work.
To connect to a remote computer, that computer must be turned on, it must have a network connection, Remote Desktop must be enabled, you must have network access to the remote computer (this could be through the Internet), and you must have permission to connect. For permission to connect, you must be on the list of users. Before you start a connection, it's a good idea to look up the name of the computer you're connecting to and to make sure Remote Desktop connections are allowed through its firewall.
If your user account doesn't require a password to sign in, you'll need to add a password before you're allowed to start a connection with a remote computer.
To allow remote connections on the computer you want to connect to
- Open System by clicking the Start button , right-clicking Computer, and then clicking Properties.
- Click Remote settings. If you're prompted for an administrator password or confirmation, type the password or provide confirmation. Under Remote Desktop, select one of the three options.
- Click Select Users.
If you're an administrator on the computer, your current user account will automatically be added to the list of remote users and you can skip the next two steps. - In the Remote Desktop Users dialog box, click Add.
- In the Select Users or Groups dialog box, do the following:
- To specify the search location, click Locations, and then select the location you want to search.
- In Enter the object names to select, type the name of the user that you want to add, and then click OK.
- The name will be displayed in the list of users in the Remote Desktop Users dialog box. Click OK, and then click OK again.
Note
You can’t connect to a computer that's asleep or hibernating, so make sure the settings for sleep and hibernation on the remote computer are set to Never. (Hibernation is not available on all computers.)
To look up the computer name of the remote computer
- On the remote computer, open System by clicking the Start button , right-clicking Computer, and then clicking Properties.
- Under Computer name, domain, and workgroup settings, you can find your computer name, and its full computer name if your computer is on a domain.
To allow Remote Desktop connections through a Windows Firewall
If you're having trouble connecting, Remote Desktop connections might be getting blocked by the firewall. Here's how to change that setting on a Windows PC. If you're using another firewall, make sure the port for Remote Desktop (usually 3389) is open.
- On the remote computer, click Start and select Control Panel.
- Click System and Security.
- Click Allow a program through Windows Firewall under Windows Firewall.
- Click Change settings and then check the box next to Remote Desktop.
- Click OK to save the changes.
To set a password for your user account
Your user account must have a password before you can use Remote Desktop to connect to another computer.
- Click Start and select Control Panel.
- Double-click User Accounts.
- Select Change your Windows Password under User Accounts.
- Click Create a password for your account and follow the instructions on the screen.
To start Remote Desktop on the computer you want to work from
- Open Remote Desktop Connection by clicking the Start button . In the search box, type Remote Desktop Connection, and then, in the list of results, click Remote Desktop Connection.
- In the Computer box, type the name of the computer that you want to connect to, and then click Connect. (You can also type the IP address instead of the computer name.)