How to Access a Remote PC Server?

In the business world, computers are an absolutely vital component. Data are stored upon them, they are used for communications and they are used for business-related applications. Business often requires much travel on the part of employees, and users sometimes require access to data and to applications stored on a home computer. Fortunately, remote PC access can allow access to a user's home computer from anywhere in the world.

# Step 1: Log in to your computer's administrator account. If there is only one user account on the computer, by default it is the administrator account.

# Step 2: Navigate to Access Remote PC. This is the website for a remote PC access program. You may download a free trial version.

# Step 3: Click on the download link to download the install file.

# Step 4: Open the install program.

# Step 5: Install the program, following the installation instructions. During the install process, you will be prompted to create a username and password. This will be the username and password you need in order to remotely access this computer. Each computer you install this program on will require its own separate username and password.

# Step 6: Follow the user manual as to how to complete setting up the program and how to use it. See the References section of this article for the complete user manual.

# Step 7: Follow Steps 2-6 for any computer you will be using in order to access another computer; both the accessing and the accessed computer must have this program installed.

How to Access a Remote PC?

If you have ever arrived home only to realize that you forgot an important document at work, then you know why remote access is so critical. Fortunately, there is a way to connect to your work computer from home. The computer you are trying to access must have Windows XP Professional. Providing it does, here is how you can access the files on your work computer.

# Step 1: Check and make sure that you are signed in as an administrator on computer you are trying to access from your home computer.

# Step 2: Right click on "Start," then "Control Panel" and finally "Performance and Maintenance." This should be at the bottom left hand side of the screen under "Pick a Category."

# Step 3: This will bring up a new screen that has two groups of options, "Pick a Task" or "Pick a Control Panel Icon." Click on "System" at the bottom left hand side underneath the "Pick a Control Panel" Icon.

# Step 4: This brings up a window called "System Properties," next click on the "Remote" tab. Select "Allow users" to connect remotely to the computer, and then select "Allow Remote Assistance Invitations to be Sent From This Computer." Click "OK."

# Step 5: Go back to the "Control Panel" and select "Security Center." When you get there, click on "Manage Security Settings For Windows Firewall." If the "Don't Allow Exceptions box" is selected, deselect it, otherwise your remote access will not go through.

# Step 6: Select the "Exceptions" tab and make sure that the "Remote Desktop" box is selected. If it is not, then select it. Click "OK," and then you can shut down the "Windows Security Center." You've just set up your host computer to allow remote access.

# Step 7: Return to the "Control Panel" and click on "Performance and Maintenance," and then select the "Computer Name" tab; this will tell you the name of your host computer.

# Step 8: Make sure your host computer is connected to your corporate network that has Internet access, is locked and is running.

How to Use Remote Desktop in Mac OS X?

One of the best uses of remote desktop is in a computer lab, classroom and even at work. Remote desktop allows the teacher or administrator to monitor what happens at the individual workstations. It saves the teacher from going around the classroom to check each student's progress, while the administrator will be able to check whether an employee is doing something on his workstation the company prohibits or forbids. It also allows for instant communication between the administrator computer and the remote workstation. This can be done on PCs running on Windows OS and on Macs running on OS X.


# Step 1: Download the latest Apple Remote Desktop software if you haven't done so. First, install the Client package on the workstations you want to administer (client computer). Follow the on-screen instructions of the installer package.

# Step 2: Open "System Preferences" and click on "Apple Remote Desktop." Make sure the option for "Start Apple Remote Desktop client at system startup" is enabled. Then, set access privileges on each client computer by going to the "System Preferences," "Sharing or Remote Desktop," and then choosing "Apple Remote Desktop."

# Step 3: Go to your administrator computer and install the Administrator package and follow the on-screen instructions.

# Step 4: Go to the "Applications" folder and open the Apple Remote Desktop program. Enter the serial number that came with your software. It is found on the Apple Remote Desktop welcome document. Then, click "Continue." You'll be asked to enter a Remote Desktop password, so be sure you take note of this. Click "Done." The main application window appears.

# Step 5: View a list of the client computers that you've set up on the network at the main window. You need to authenticate the users that appear on your master list before you can administer the client desktop. You can also arrange your list into groups to make it easier for you to administer.

Five Best Remote Desktop Tools

Whether you want quick access to your home computer from anywhere in the world or you're the go-to IT person for your friends and family, remote desktop applications are a godsend. Even better: They're easier than ever to set up. With the right remote desktop tool, you can access your home computer as though you're sitting right in front of it— no matter where you are, no matter what you're doing. Earlier this week we asked you to share your favorite remote desktop tools, and today we're back with the top five answers. Keep reading for a closer look at each solution, then cast your vote for the remote desktop solution you like best.


LogMeIn (Windows/Mac)
LogMeIn was one of the first popular remote desktop solutions aimed squarely at consumers, offering a quick, no-hassle set up to remotely control your computer from the comfort of any web browser. LogMeIn comes in a variety of flavors, but the two that are designed to satisfy your remote desktop needs are LogMeIn Pro and LogMeIn Free. A Pro account adds more features to the service, including drag-and-drop file transfer, file sync, and meeting tools. LogMeIn Pro isn't exactly cheap, at $13/month or $70/year, and while a Pro account offers more features than a free account, many users are still perfectly happy with LogMeIn Free.


TightVNC (Windows/Linux)
TightVNC is a cross-platform, open-source remote desktop application. With TightVNC, you need to set up a VNC server on the computer you wish to access remotely; you can then remotely access that computer from anywhere else with any VNC viewer. We've already detailed how to set up TightVNC on your home computer, and if you'd prefer controlling TightVNC from a web browser to carrying a VNC client with you, you can also control TightVNC from the web.


TeamViewer (Windows/Mac)
TeamViewer—like LogMeIn—offers free and paid accounts for remote controlling any PC. Unlike LogMeIn, TeamViewer is free for all non-commercial users. It doesn't offer browser-based remote control, instead using small utilities to connect between computers. TeamViewer is even available as a portable application you can carry around on your thumb drive. Whether you want to set up personal remote computing or you're pull frequent tech support duty, TeamViewer has a lot to offer.

Windows Remote Desktop Connection (Windows)
Windows Remote Desktop—the default remote desktop app that comes bundled with Windows—is still more than enough for most Windows users looking for full-featured remote desktop control. If you've never happened upon the Remote Desktop Connection application buried in the Accessories folder of your Start menu, now might be a good time to try it out. Just be sure you've enabled remote desktop access.


UltraVNC (Windows)
UltraVNC is an open-source, Windows-only remote desktop application. UltraVNC supports a hefty feature set, including text chat, file transfer support, and support for optional plug-ins. Although UltraVNC only runs on Windows, you can still access your computer from any operating system using your web browser. Now that you've seen the best, it's time to vote for your favorite: This week's honorable mentions go out to CrossLoop and mRemote. Whether or not your beloved remote desktop app made the top five, let's hear more about it in the comments.

What is Remote Desktop Support?

Many ads on TV and radio offer services that give you remote access to your home or office PC from any computer in the world. These are all paid services, yet a remote desktop connection (RDC) is actually free. It is built into Microsoft Windows XP (and later versions) as part of the standard operating system.

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What is RDC?
A remote desktop connection allows you to access and use your computer from a remote location. When RDC is correctly configured, you can log into your computer (with the correct user name and password) to remotely run it as if you were sitting back at your home or office.

How does RDC work?
With remote desktop connection, the host computer (your computer back at home or the office) responds to a remote-access request from your client (the computer you are logged into wherever you are). Via high-speed Internet access, your host computer sends all display (and some audio) information to the client. The client only has to process the limited display information, while data processing, program execution and file storage are handled by the host computer.

Saving time
Before a trip, it's common to take time to copy important files and work projects to a flash disc or laptop. But one of the benefits of RDC is that your data is always there for you. There is no need to consider what computer documents to bring. RDC also eliminates the need to compare multiple versions of the same files because the file is only in one place: on your primary computer.

Data security
Your data is secure on you primary computer. With remote desktop connection, you work on the files that are stored securely on the host computer. Losing files, flash discs and even laptops is no longer a problem.

Requirements
You need to configure remote desktop connection on the host and install the RDC client software if it's not already available. The RDC client is preinstalled on Windows XP and later versions of Windows. And you must know the Internet protocol (IP) address of your remote computer. The IP address is a number that identifies your computer on the Internet. If your host computer's IP address is provided by your Internet provider, you can ask your provider for this information. High-speed Internet access on both the client and host computer is ideal. Slower connects will work but will not offer ease of use and quick response times.

Limitations
Audio output is generally directed from the host computer, but some file types such as MIDIs will not play. This means that your Windows theme sounds will not play. Many robust audiovisual editing applications such as Windows Movie Maker will not run over a remote connection. If your host computer is not running a server operating system, only one user can access the computer at any time.