Remotely Accessing a Windows XP or Windows Server 2003 Computer

You don’t need a Microsoft license to do it

Normally, when multiple people need to have access to a Windows computer in a network, you need to use a server version of Windows (such as 2003) running Terminal Services.

However, you need to by licenses from Microsoft to do this. If you only need one person to access a computer remotely at a time, Windows allows you to do this without Terminal Services, in Windows XP as well as in Windows Server 2003.

Right-click onMy Computeron theStartmenu and select thePropertiesoption from the pop-up menu.

TheSystem Propertiesdialog box displays. Click theRemotetab. In theRemote Desktopbox, click theAllow users to connect remotely to this computercheck box.

Note theFull computer nameso you can use that when logging in.

To specify which users of the computer are allowed to log on remotely, click theSelect Remote Usersbutton. TheRemote Desktop Usersdialog box displays.

Click theAddbutton to add a user to the list. TheSelect Usersdialog box displays.

Type the name of the desired user in theEnter the object names to selecttext box and click theCheck Namesbutton. The full name of the user is filled in. ClickOK.

The user displays in the list on theRemote Desktop Usersdialog box. ClickOK.

You are returned to theSystem Propertiesdialog box. ClickOK.

SelectAccessories | Communications | Remote Desktop Connectionfrom theStartmenu.

TheRemote Desktop Connectiondialog box displays.

Enter theFull computer nameyou noted earlier in theComputeredit box and clickConnect. The drop-down list provides access to computers you have logged in to before.

Enter your user name and password on the dialog that displays and clickOK. Your desktop on the remote computer displays. To close the connection, just log out of your account like you would normally.

If you need to remotely connect to a computer that is not on the same network, i.e. across the Internet, the only thing you have to do isconfigure your router for remote desktop accessand use the public IP address of the computer you want to connect to.

Founder of Help Desk Geek and managing editor. He began blogging in 2007 and quit his job in 2010 to blog full-time. He has over 15 years of industry experience in IT and holds several technical certifications.Read Aseem’s Full Bio

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Remotely Accessing a Windows XP or Windows Server 2003 Computer#

Remotely Accessing a Windows XP or Windows Server 2003 Computer