Windows XP in a Nutshell

Name

Remote Desktop Connection — \windows\system32\mstsc.exe

Synopsis

Access another computer remotely, as though you were sitting in front of it. (Remote Desktop Connection is included with Windows XP Professional only.)

To Open

Start → Programs → Accessories → Communications → Remote Desktop Connection

Command Prompt → mstsc

Description

Remote Desktop Connection allows you to connect to another computer (or allows someone else to connect your computer) and use it as though you were sitting in front of it. Much more than simply a Telnet connection, Remote Desktop Connection allows you to see a full Desktop, complete with icons and the Start menu, and even run programs on the remote computer (see Figure 4-76).

Figure 4-76. Use another Windows XP computer as though you were sitting in front of it with a Remote Desktop Connection

To configure a computer to accept incoming connections via Remote Desktop Connection, go to Control Panel → [Performance and Maintenance] → System → Remote tab, and turn on the “Allow users to connect remotely to this computer” option. By default, the administrator always has access, but you can enable access for other users as well by clicking Select Remote Users.

Once a computer has been set up, you can connect to it by opening Remote Desktop Connection and typing that computer’s name (if connected on a local network) or that computer’s IP address (if connected ...