The Remote Desktop Connection

The Remote Desktop Connection software is pre-installed with Windows XP. To run it, click Start, click All Programs, click Accessories, click Communications, and then click Remote Desktop Connection. This software package can also be found on the Windows XP Professional and Windows XP Home Edition product CDs and can be installed on any supported Windows platform. To install from the CD, insert the disc into the target machine's CD-ROM drive, select Perform Additional Tasks, and then click Install Remote Desktop Connection.

Windows Remote Desktop

Connecting to a remote desktop is fairly straightforward, but a few elements must be in place first:

• The host desktop must have Internet access (preferably high-speed).
• The local system (the PC connecting to the remote desktop that will serve as the host) must be running Windows XP Professional (or a Windows 2003-flavor server) or have the appropriate Terminal Services tools installed.
• Firewalls between the local system and the remote host must be configured to pass the appropriate traffic.
• Remote Desktop must be installed and enabled on the target system.

Installing Remote Desktop

Remote Desktop is an optional Windows XP Professional service. To install it on a host system (to enable a computer to accept a remote connection request), Microsoft recommends you:

1. Click Start.
2. Click Control Panel.
3. Select Add Or Remove Programs.
4. Select Add/Remove Windows Components.
5. Select Internet Information Services.
6. Click the Details button.
7. Select World Wide Web Service.
8. Click the Details button.
9. Check the Remote Desktop Web Connection checkbox.
10. Click OK.
11. Click Next.
12. Click Finish to complete the wizard.
13. Click Start.
14. Select Run.
15. Enter Net Stop w3svc and click the OK button or press Enter.
16. Click Start.
17. Select All Programs.
18. Select Microsoft Update.
19. Select Scan For Updates.
20. Install all critical updates on the host system.
21. Click Start.
22. Select Run.
23. Enter Net Start w3svc and click the OK button.