Getting started with Remote Desktop

With the Remote Desktop feature in Windows® XP Professional, you can remotely control your computer from another office, from home, or while traveling. This allows you to use the data, applications, and network resources that are on your office computer, without being in your office.

To use Remote Desktop, you need the following:

• Windows XP Professional installed on your office computer, or whichever computer you plan to operate remotely. This computer is known as the host.
• A remote computer running Windows 95 or a more recent version of Windows. This computer is known as the client and it must have the Remote Desktop Connection client software installed.
• A connection to the Internet. A broadband Internet connection improves performance, but it is not necessary because Remote Desktop transfers only the minimal data (such as display data and keyboard data) to remotely control your host computer. Therefore, even low–bandwidth Internet connections allow you to remotely control your office computer.

This how-to article assumes your office computer is part of a corporate network in which Remote Desktop connections are permitted. If you are unsure, ask your system administrator.