Turn on Remote Desktop in Windows 7 or Vista
Remote Desktop is disabled by default in Windows 7 or Vista, but it’s easy enough to turn it back on. If you need to access your Vista PC from another box, it’s an essential thing to turn on.
Important note: Remote desktop is only included in the Professional, Business, or Ultimate versions of Windows. Home editions do not have remote desktop.
To get to the configuration page, you can either right-click the Computer icon and choose properties, or you can type in system into the start menu search box, and then find the entry for System.
Now you’ll want to click the Remote Settings link on the left hand side:
Now you can finally turn it on:
To connect from another Vista / Win7 PC on the same network, click the bottom radio button. If you need to connect from an XP/2k machine, click the “Allow connections from computers running any version of Remote Desktop” radio button.
Don’t worry about setting up firewall rules, Vista or Windows 7 does that for you automatically.
Note: This should work for both Windows 7 and Vista.
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might want to note that RDP support is only provided by the Business or Ultimate editions of Vista, and not the Home editions
Is there a way to enable Remote Desktop on the Home edition of Vista?
How do I remote desktop my computer at home from the computer at work?
Remote Desktop Host is supported on all versions of Vista. Business and Ultimate contain the RDP support to Remote into other machines.
As far as connecting from your work computer, you’ll need your internet IP address of your home computer if you’re behind a router (www.whatismyip.com). Also you’ll need to forward port 3389 I think it is to your machine in your router. Then you’ll have to hope that your work firewall doesn’t block port 3389. Cheers.
My backlight went out on my Windows Vista Laptop. I would be forever grateful if someone could walk me through using the keyboard
Joel
I am trying to log into a XP machine and a SMB server from Enterprise and it won’t let me. I went into the settings on my Vista machine and they seem set up just fine, any ideas?
Hey Andrew,
I am trying to connect to Vista Ultimate from an XP laptop, and it won’t let me either…
I have followed several guides that all seem to say the same thing. So I am assuming there is a problem between Ultimate and Home, but I’m not trying to control my ultimate installation from my home installation. So why won;t this work, I ave configured my home pc to allow remoting and I am trying to access it from my ultimate machine in the other room. I’d really appreciate some help. thanks
If I have someones Mac address how can I control there computer?
You can’t control somebody else’s computer with a Mac address.
I’d recommend some type of hacker forum for what you are looking for. We don’t cover hacking on this site.
I have a new work(horse)station with Vista ultimate connected to a Linksys router (cable) and I have put my old server with a Wi-Fi connection (XP pro iwth IIS 5.1). Now, each time I’m trying to access the new computer (Vista with RD activated), I’m connecting to my old PC (both usernames are different).
Is there a way to choose which one I want to connect to ? I’m using a XP pro machine at the office to access my home network (Vista+XP).
TIA
i got two pcs on a LAN network that i want to connect to remotely as they are both on the same network it just chooses the first pc all the time (192.168.0.100) how do i get access to my other pc and its files (192.168.0.103) is this possible with remote desktop?
In order for you to connect to the .103 addressed computer you will need to change some settings in your router.
The router is probably defaulted to set the DMZ zome to 192.168.0.100 ( the first address given out by the dhcpserver within the router. Login to the router and look under advanced settings (or similar) and change the DMZ ip to 192.168.0.103. Only one computer within the LAN can be seen from the internet.
You still have the capability of switching between visible computers by simply logging into the one visible computer remotely, then logging into the router, changing the dhcp address to the computer required , reset the router then relog in
Hmmm. not very practicle. Is there another way ? Installing a soft on the visible computer that can view any other PC on the LAN ? Somebody told me about another type of router (sorry, I’m not at the office to get the name) that would permit switching at logon ?
You can also try this.
Logon to the .100 pc remotely and then just open up a remote desktop connection on that pc to 192.168.0.103. That will then allow you to remote desktop from your .100 pc directly to the .103 computer… it works like a charm, and no messing around with routers.
try this…
- logon to your .100 computer remotely as normal.
- once logged in, open up a remote desktop connection from that computer to 192.168.0.103
- now you can work with either computer.
Brian R.
Really !? Gosh, that seems too simple… I should have thought of this one. I’ll try it as soon as I’m back to the office. I’ll keep you posted.
Incredible but true, it works !
Thanks for that superb idea !
glad to be of help
enjoy
You probably have your solution, but I did want point out that you can setup as many computers as you want to remote into on your LAN, not just one.
You have to assign remote desktop different ports other than the default 3389. Then setup port forwarding on your router. For example if your public ip that gets you to your .100 machine is 123.45.678.90, you can setup your .103 machine to use remote desktop on port 3999. Then to remote to that machine you would enter 123.45.678.90:3999 into the remote desktop connection.
Search Google for specifics on changing the remote desktop port.
Well, Dean, I have tried that approach many times but never worked… until this week-end where somebody pointed me out that even changing the listening port in the firewall won’t work if you don’t change it in the registry. So I used netstat and discovered that whatever I add or change in the firewall settings on my XP machine, it was always listening to port 3389.
After looking for “Changing listening port on RDP” on google, I found the KB article at MS, did the change and Voilà ! Now, I’m at the office and I can access whatever computer on my home network using IP:3390 and so on.
Hope this can benefit somebody else !
I’m on a home network. I’m trying a remote desktop connection to a computer running Vista Home premium edition from a computer running XP home edition. I’ve turned on remote access in Vista. I can access my computer through the home network. When I try to log on I get the error message “The Client could not connect to the remote computer”. If I browse for available connection when i click on my Group I get the message “The MSHOME domain/workgroup does not contain a terminal server” Any suggestion on how to remote connect?
I am connecting from my ultimate machine to a Windows 2003 Server. I have enabled my hard drive from my ultimate to connect the server session. I can see the drive but it is read only. I would like to save a document to my (local) drive from the session. This works fine from XP Pro.
I disabled the Firewall and attempted but no luck.
Is there a setting/policy I am missing?
i was wondering if somebody could help me with a situation i have; i need to set up remote desktop with 2 computers. 1 is in america running xp prof and the other in russia running vista ult. i want to set the russian comp up before i leave so when i get back to the states i can use it remotely. what do i need to do to this comp before i leave russia?
I would like to use remote desktop or something similar with a smartphone. Does anyone know of a smartphone that has that capability?
Sheri
I have seen a RDP app for Blackberry that works if your using BES
You don’t need to use DMZ on routers when using Remote Desktop
Most newer routers (Dlink DI-524) can configure a virtual server with port 3389 as internal and external port with the private ip address, also port 80 should also be open but its not necessary to be directed to a internal pc.
You also really need to create a static internal ip address for your pc on the router, which the virtual server private ip address points to.
Its wise to use DDNS(Dynamic Domain Name Server) provider in case your service provider changes your routers ip address.
On the PC make sure that remote desktop ports 80 & 3389 are open on Windows Firewall. If the pc is allowed to go in to standby make sure wake on lan is enabled on the network card.
Worked a treat !!
Thanks
You say you are using Home Premium but the snapshots show Vista Ultimate. I have Home Premium, and do not even see options for desktop when I follow your directions. Is this really like XP, where the lesser home versions can not provide remote desktop access?
Thanks in advance for any help you can give me in getting past this obstacle.
will there be patch on home edition vista for remote desktop
Hi Geek!
Well, that’s all well and good…pretty easy to do…but I still can’t remote to my PC at home. Any caveats that you’re aware of?
Thanks,
Wayniack!
For those who are experiencing problems with access Vista from XP computer, try to update the client software (In XP the version is 5.1 and current available for download is 6.0).
Hope that’s fix the problem.
Wayne on September 28, 2007 4:33 pm
You could try a third party solution such as Symantec’s PC Anywhere.
To the person who said that Remote Desktop host works on all versions of Vista, that’s just wrong.
The only versions of Vista that you can remote control using Remote Desktop are Business, Enterprise and Ultimate.
You can control them from whatever you like though…
Yes when chosing a PC only XP Pro , Vista Business, Enterprise and Ultimate support Remote Desktop host, other wise your have to pay for a OS upgrade.
It rules the PCs in nearly all retail stores.
It really does suck.
um, im trying to set this remote desktop up with 2 of my home computers. when i get to the remote tab under system properties i only see the remote Assistance box… there is no box benieth it that says remote desktop… how come?
You CAN enable Remote Desktop on home premium with the following hack:
http://www.missingremote.com/i.....;task=view
I’m trying to use the remote access on my PC which is Windows Vista Home Edition and my friends computer is Windows XP how can I gain access?
I purchased a Windows XP program from tiger direct to replace the vista program on a new computer I recently purchased. Was unable to load the XP program, got status message stating it could not be installed because the vista operating system was newer. Is there any way of getting around this problem?
Wayne B
Hi
I’m trying to remote administrate one vista ultimate pc. other LAN computers running vista (ultimate and home). the computers are connected t/ a router that have dhcp turned on. the computers are all in the same workgroup.
When I try to add users to the list of allowed remote users Ionly can chose users from the The computer I want to administrate NOT from the others PC’s in the LAN… remote admin only work if I have a domain, not a workgroup?? please help and excuse my «english»
I am trying to connect to a vista home edition from a mac inside my home network but it isn’t working
I am trying to remote into my Vista Ultimate PC at home from my XP PC at work. They do allow traffic through a few ports which I have set up forwarding on my router for. Does anyone know if there any limitation in Vista for what ports can be used for incoming traffic with the RDP client?
i have a laptop with vista home premium.At the remote settings i don’t have the 3 option that appears at the image that you have posted..any idea how to enable remote desktop?
Are all of you blind or somehow can’t read? It clearly says that RDP does NOT work on the home edition of Vista (”Note: This will not work for Home editions of Windows Vista.”)
I myself am having some trouble with RDPing into my Vista Ultimate machine, it worked untill a few weeks ago. I was at a friends and logged in, work like a charm but when I tried again a few days later I couldn’t get in, not even from the same network. All settings and ports are set correctly and did not change in those few days.
I still haven’t been able to get into the Vista machine using RDP. Any thoughts on what the problem might be?
The solution is: VNC. You can get it free at http://www.realvnc.com.
I know VNC.
I don’ like it since you have to have a cliënt installed on every guest machine your at.. or have it with you on a USB stick, something that isn’ always the case.
But yeah, since the normal RDC died, this would be the best option. Thanks!
The free version of VNC doesn’t work on Vista.
I can now confirm that the Home Premium Host hack works, first download the termsrv.zip buried in the link provided by Scoobydeux.
Do a System Restore point and market it pre remote hack
You must be in Administrator.
Extract the files in the Zip file.
Turn OFF Account Control in Control Panel(classic View)->User Accounts->Turn User Account Control on or off.
Run the premium.bat from the extracted zip file and check all commands are sucessful.
Turn on port 3389 in Control Panel(Classic view)->Windows Firewall->Change Settings-> Exceptions[tab]- add port
->Name: Remote Desktop
->Port: 3389
->ok
***Note with Home Premium you can only remote host connect to Administrator Accounts, also you can only turn OFF remote host by blocking port 3389. You have no options System Properties settings shown above, you can only get this by upgrading to Ultimate.***
You will also have to unblock 3389 on any Anti Virus checker installed.
Hi there!
I’m having problems accessing remotely a windows 2003 server from my Vista Home Basic, anyone can give a good reason why? How can I fix this? Anything please I’m out of ideas.
I am trying not to interpret these comments as the fact that windows vista home premium does not support terminal services or remote desktop. Please tell me that this is not true?!?!? Can any one suggest a way to work remotely on my Vista Home machine????
Yes it is true.
I am afraid you have to upgrade to get full featured RTP Host.
Home Basic -> Business or Ultimate
Home Premium -> Ultimate.
Its get out your wallet.
Or…you can just go to http://www.logmein.com and download that mirror driver for free and connect to any Windows OS. Try it!
The problem with such products they have to be installed on the client machine, where as, RTP is on all Windows operating systems, many users at work don’t have admin rights.
Also they tend to take over the host pc a bit too much, controlling mouse and keyboard movements something I don’t really like.
Thanks for the info. I looked at the dialog box. I have the same box except i don’t have remote desktop as an option. I have remote assistance. I guess I have to upgrade. My vista is a basic home edition.
I’m at wits end trying to set up remote desktop between my Desktop running XP Professional SP2 and my Laptop running Vista Ultimate. I will be happy to pay someone (that can set it up & show me how). If you live in Queens, New York please leave me a contact e-mail and let me know your fee.
Dell has been no help and all the knowledge bases between here and microsoft have not gotten Remote Desktop to work; neither have all the kings horses and all the kings men.
Thanks,
Pat (pulling my hair out)
Pat, The most likely the reason RTP is not working, assuming you have enabled it in system properties is because;
1. In Windows firewall Remote Desktop is not enabled on the Host PC ( the pc your tring to connect to).
2. Security software is preventing port 3389 from being open, such as Norton 360, Internet security.
3. Your Internet router ( if you have one) is not configured properly. Usually only a problem if you are connecting from the Internet
4. Your trying to connect using the wrong ip address of your host pc.
If you can get it working on a local network your half way there.
im lost, I know the rules and exceptions and I have it all set up right but I cannot get my ultimate host computer to remote to my home premium laptop. Help?
I have configured remote desktop correctly but two things happen:
First when I am asked for credentials my username and password for the computer I am remoting into don’t work.
Second to get to the logon screen I have to go back and forth between two different public ip addresses.
Any help?
If the Host PC is not excepting the user name and password (of a user of host PC I might add). Then you have not added them in Select Users found in system properties->remote.
Also make sure you have updated to latest RDP client if calling from XP or earlier. Found in windows update custom.
.
am trying to log into a XP machine and a SMB server from Enterprise and it won’t let me. I went into the settings on my Vista machine and they seem set up just fine, any ideas?
what is the SMB server? a regular client windows machine? or a server running DNS? netbios/smb is the windows protocol – make sure it is enabled or forwarded through routers on your local LAN.
I have a Windows Vista Home premium laptop and a windows xp home laptop….could anyone tell me a way to connect them using remote desktop?? they both are connected by a wireless network
You should try Log Me In Free. It works fantastic and is free. Install it on your home PC and setup a free account. You can get to the PC from anywhere! Works fast! I have about 18 PC’s in my list that I can control and have them divided into different groups like work and friends.
Thanks, will try it out.
I discovered what my problem was. Unlike a cable internet service DSL changes your IP address much more rapidly. So the public IP address I was using would only work for a day at a time. You can adjust this in the modem to extend DHCP lease time or you can use a service like dyndns.org to get a free public IP address. If you are using a wireless router this will require some additional port forwarding configuration.
I recemtly upgraded to Vista. I have a router that was routing ports 80 and 3389 into my XP machine. Since upgrading I have not been able to configure to route into the vista machine properly. I can RD into the machine from other machines in my private address range and i have verified the ip adress and other settings in the router.
Any suggestions? I suspect a configuration problem on the Vista machine side. I test with the the firewall disabled and still had the issue.
Don,
What kind of router are you using? Also what type of Internet Service are you using?
David
it is belkin f4d7230-4, I have a DSL with qwest for the wire and eschelon teleservices as the ISP, I don’t think it is the ISP since I can remote into my win 2003 server which is exterior to the router.
Wonder if anyone can help with this tricku issue..
I have 2 vista PCs… the Vista Home can RDP and control the vista Business PC, but not the other way round. (which seems odd as I thought the business version had the ability to control others but not Home???)
I cant VNC from the bus -> home either… which is what I really want to do.
Short of reinstalling the Home PC to hopefully fix the problem what else could be going wrong??
Layne, your doing nothing wrong, however, home editions do not support what you are trying to do.
You need to upgrade to Business or Ultimate(for Home Premium).
Vista Home Premium can be hacked but it is tricky.
The Tab is on the right side of the system properties dialogue box. Not the left.
Not being picky. I appreciate this website so don’t take it the wrong way. keep up the good work with the site. Thanks for your help.
UltraVNC V1.04 support VISTA, with user logon and UAC
hey, I’m having some trouble using remote desktop between my Vista home premium SP1 laptop and my XP SP3 computer. When I try to log on to either one remotely, remote desktop says “this computer can’t connect to the remote computer.” I have enabled the remote access button in system properties on both. The computers are set up on a LAN, and the LAN option in remote desktop is set. The Vista one is wireless and has an IP of 192.168.1.10, the XP one is wired to the router and has an IP of 192.168.1.3. Both are in the same workgroup. Is there anything that I need to enable/disable to make this work? Thanks.
Joe
I have tried to turn on remote desktoop an nothing is working.. am I missing a step
Hello everyone,
I have two desktops, one running xp pro and the other vista business. I am able to remote from vista to xp, but when I try xp to vista it doesnt work. it’s connects but it doesn’t. I can see the log in but,I type the password I see the welcome and nothing happens.
any ideas?
the vista is on a wireless adapter.
xp is direct.
all settings on both machines and router are correct
PLEASE HELP ME!
thx
Matt
The usual suspect is Windows Firewall Remote Desktop is not selected and/or a system protection software (Norton/AVG) is preventing connection.
Miguel
In Vista System Properties check that ‘Allow connections from computers running any version of Remote Desktop’ is selected.
Alternatively check that Windows XP RTP client is the latest version, check by visiting Windows Update and select custom option.
I have windows vista ultimate. I want to be able to remotely log into my computer at home from my computer at work. I was able to set that up with easily.
However, my son uses the computer at home. When I try to log in remotely, a window tells me that any current users will be disconnected. If I click “OK” my son is disconnected and my session begins.
Is there a way for me to remotely log into my computer at home without kicking off other users? Can you have multiple users logged into the machine at the same time?
@Nick: Windows Vista only supports one logged user at a time. Either at the console or remotely. Only Windows Server supports multible users logged in at once and for that if you want more then 2 users at a time you need a Terminal Services licence.
Hi everyone,i have the checkbox where i turn on and off my remote conections, but i dont have the 3 checkboxes for the Remote Desktop below.
I have windows vista home edition…How can i find the Remote Desktop options?
To log in to a computer remotely I use a service called logmein. The way it works is you create an account with them “I use the free service they offer”. Install their program on the machine that you want to remote into and log into the machine by clicking on a link on their web site. The installed program reports back to their site weather the machine is online or not and the appropriate ip address so that it can find it. It is very easy to use and best of all they have a version that is free.
Hey i only see the top of the box that says “Allow remote assistance connections to this computer” and i dont see any of the bottom half of it???
@bryan: Remote Desktop is only available in Windows Vista Business, Ultimate and Enterprise. If you don’t the option then you probably don’t have one of those editions.
On the “System Property – Remote” screen I only see the top part of the box that says “Allow remote assistance connections to this computer” and I don’t see any of the bottom half of it.
Is there a way that the bottom have can be made visible or installed.
@Tony: That only way to get Remote Desktop and those options would be to upgrade to Windows Vista Business or Ultimate.
You can also try a service named logmein for Remote Access. They have a free version.
Hi there…
I have an issue I need some help with… I am able to connect to my vista ultimate pc at home from work and from my laptop which are Windows XP Pro… but I use adobe audition for audio editing… well whenever I am connected to my vista computer and I go to play audio while remotely connected… it pops up with an error saying the driver is not found or not properly installed… but when I get home I can play the audio in the program with no problem. In options, local resources, I have selected remote computer sound to bring to this computer… on the XP computers… yet it still pops up with that driver message… but I am able to control everything perfectly fine remotely except for that…
Any suggestions?
For those that have Vista home and wants to allow RDP, download vnc server. On the client machine to access to you Vista home (vnc server), you need vnc client.
I am trying to access remote computer on another network which is just connected to internet which is the best way to access it and access some application on that computer.
Remote Desktop is a fast and easy way to access another computer without having to pay for services such as gotomypc.com. However, if you don’t have access to your router or settings on the Host(receiving PC) you may need to go with one of the paid services. I use remote desktop every day. Even while at my kitchen table my laptop remotes into my main desktop computer in the other room where everything is stored. I also have a tablet PC in my Car which remotes into my Desktop. This way all my data is in one place, My Outlook mail and Act! Database is all the same and if I lose my laptop or my Tablet gets stollen, there was no data on them and I lose nothing but the the unit itself.
Here are the basic steps needed to setup Remote Desktop:
1. The Receiving(HOST)PC MUST be running Windows XP Pro or Windows Vista Business or Ultimate. It is not offered in Windows XP Home or Vista Home. Again this only applies to the Receiving Computer.
2. It is best if the Receiving(Host)computer is setup with a Static IP on your network. Dynamic IP will work but if your computers IP changes for any reason such as someone rebooting the Router you may not be able to connect again until you change the port forwarding setting in the router to the computer’s new IP address.
3. The Receiving(Host)Computer must have Remote Desktop Turned ON.
4. Remote Desktop must be checked in the Windows Firewall exceptions list or allowed if you are running some other firewall software.
5. The Receiving(Host) Computer must have a Username and Password set. You can not remote into a computer that does not use a password.
6. You must forward port 3389 on your router to the IP address of the computer that you want to access.
7. You can access multiple PC’s on one network but you must change the default listening port of 3389 on each of the addditional PC’s. You must also adjust the Windows Firewall Settings to match the new port number and you must add port forwarding for that Port number into your router to direct remote desktop to the correct PC.
I don’t think I missed anything, but you never know and I am sure someone will correct me if I did.
I’m trying to connect to my Windows XP Pro laptop from my Windows Vista Ultimate desktop via remote desktop, but nothing I do seems to get it to work. However, I can connect going the opposite way (laptop to desktop). I have followed the instructions on allowing the computers to grant access to the Remote Desktop application, as well as turning off all firewalls. Any ideas?
Blake, we would really need more information here. Please explain more about your installation. Are you trying this between 2 computers on an internal network or over the internet? What Security software and firewall do you have installed on both computers? What have you tried?
the two computers are normally on the same network, but because they aren’t all the time, i’m trying to establish this connection over the internet. On both systems I only have windows provided security installed (all turned off, as they seem to only waste my time and not protect my system).
I have established the Remote Desktop connection from my XP Pro system into my Vista Ultimate through use of IP, with no hassle. Howerver, when I try to go the other way (Vista into XP), I enter the desired IP address, click connect, and get an error that says “This computer can’t connect to the remote computer”. Other times I’ll click connect, and the progress bar at the top of the Remote Desktop window will move for a second or two, and then stop, and nothing will happen with no error message or indication as to why it stopped attempting to connect.
I’ve attempted to gain access to the XP system when it has just been turned on and is sitting at the welcome screen, when i have logged in and it is on my desktop, and when i have logged in, and then clicked switch user so that the computer is for sure connected to the internet, but sitting at the welcome screen.
I have reinstalled remote desktop on both computers using their respective Windows OS disks.
My Vista computer is 64-bit and my XP is 32. Can this be the reason? No backwards compatibility?
Blake. Have you turned RA on on the remote computer. I know it may sound stupid, but many people actually forget to turn it on.
If you have turned it on and it still isnt working. Try running the Remote Desktop Connection thing on the XP machine ( Advanced Options ), fill out all the details for the XP one and then go to ” Save As ” under the Connection settings. See if that works.
Can you use some version of VNC to remote to Vista home basic using XP PRO?
”
With Remote Desktop Connection, you can access a computer running Windows from another computer running Windows that is connected to the same network or to the Internet. For example, you can use all of your work computer’s programs, files, and network resources from your home computer, and it’s just like you’re sitting in front of your computer at work.
To connect to a remote computer, that computer must be turned on, it must have a network connection, Remote Desktop must be enabled, you must have network access to the remote computer (this could be through the Internet), and you must have permission to connect. For permission to connect, you must be on the list of users. The steps below include adding names to that list.
To find the Remote Desktop Connection shortcut, click the Start button , click All Programs or Programs, and then click Accessories. To quickly open Remote Desktop Connection, open the Start menu, and then type mstsc in the Search box.
Notes
You cannot use Remote Desktop Connection to connect to computers running Windows Vista Starter, Windows Vista Home Basic, Windows Vista Home Basic N, or Windows Vista Home Premium. You can, however, connect from those editions of Windows Vista to computers running other versions of Windows.
You cannot use Remote Desktop Connection to connect to computers running Windows XP Home Edition.
”
More info:
http://windowshelp.microsoft.c.....41033.mspx
HEllo all! One of my roomates has confiscated my computer and has not paid for it in 9 months. Has a deadbolt in her room so I cant get to it. In the process of evicting her. Running home vista on it. How can I get into the computer remotely and add a user to it to lock her out of it? Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Ouch, sounds like trouble.
Not sure you can TBH. It has to be enabled on their computer i believe.
I’ve read the entire thread here and i don’t think my case has been discussed.
Intro: We’re a software house company and have been using Remote Desktop for years.
Scenario: We have one PC running on Vista and have been fine when using RDP to connect to other PCs (our clients’ servers). But just today, after running a microsoft update, the RDP decides to be picky. I.e. only allowing some to connect thru and others not!
There shouldn’t be a connnection/LAN/server/router settings since other computers in the office can access the customers’ just fine.
Note: 1)The Vista pc is the only one in the office.
2) it was working fine before the windows update.
3) windows update updated the RDP as well. But same RDP from XP, no prob for all customers
will this help me connect my vista home premium at to my vista business at work as i really do not want to miss any time. any help would be great
@ken:
It depends:
1. If you want to access your Vista Business Computer from your house then no you would need to have the systems administrator at work set that up.
2. If you want to access your Vista Home Premium Computer from work then no as Vista Home Premium doesn’t include Remote Desktop but you can use the free service from logmein.com to do the same thing.
LogMeIn Free doesn’t have any extra features beyond seeing and controlling your home computer like redirecting audio and connecting your work applications to home printers and shared files.
For that you would need LogMeIn pro or another remote program.
For the Remote Desktop listed on this page you would need to upgrade to Vista Business or Vista Ultimate to get it and that would be a bit more complicated and expensive to do.
What should I have to do If I have a home edition Vista , because I am not seeing the remote desktop option in System/system properties/remote
Is there nothing can do with Windows Vista Home Premium to set up a remote access?
Mal, I like your detailed post, but I am having problems.
I have a few question regarding the Home Premium Host hack.
(1) Do you have to be logged in under ADMINISTRATOR to apply the hack, or can you run PREMIUM.BAT from any User Account that has ADMIN Privilidges?
(2) Do you START both Terminal Services under SERVICES?
(3) Under Windows Firewall EXCEPTIONS, what should you check off or ADD, other than “Remote Desktop”: Port 3389: TCP?
(4) For Vista with SP1, I downloaded an updated file named:
termsrv.sp1.patched.dll
For a Vista Home Premium, with SP1 applied, should I rename the above file to “termsrv.dll” and overlay the original version for pre-SP1 systems in the /WINDOWS/SYSTEM32 directory?
Gary
1) Any admin account, also remote log ons can only be admin users.
2) Yes but the premium.bat file should stop and start it
3) That all that is necessary.
4) Now running the batch file under SP1 is tricky… To be honest I can’t remember how I did it, it may have been in safe mode.
The termsrv.sp1.patched.dll should be renamed termsrv.dll and overwrite the one in the directory with premium.bat.
Yes I have just tried it on another computer and it worked with just a normal admin login.
Here is what the logs of Premium.bat should say
Taking ownership of C:\Windows\System32\termsrv.dll
SUCCESS: The file (or folder): “C:\Windows\System32\termsrv.dll” now owned by the administrators group.
Granting Administrators rights
processed file: C:\Windows\System32\termsrv.dll
Successfully processed 1 files; Failed processing 0 files
Stopping Terminal Services
The Terminal Services service is stopping.
The Terminal Services service was stopped successfully.
1 file(s) copied.
Copying C:\Users\Public\RDP Vista x86 SP1\termsrv.dll to C:\Windows\System32\
1 file(s) copied.
Copying C:\Users\Public\RDP Vista x86 SP1\rdpclip.exe to C:\Windows\System32\
1 file(s) copied.
Importing Registry Keys
Enabling RDP
The operation completed successfully.
Setting fSingleSessionPerUser to 0
The operation completed successfully.
Setting LimitBlankPasswordUser to 0
The operation completed successfully.
Configuring Remote Desktop in Windows Firewall
Ok.
Starting Terminal Services
The Terminal Services service is starting.
The Terminal Services service was started successfully.
Pausing 5 seconds to give service time to start listening
Checking if Service is listening on port 3389
TCP 0.0.0.0:3389 PCTV:0 LISTENING
TCP [::]:3389 PCTV:0 LISTENING
Service is listening
Done
Press any key to continue . . .
I followed all the promps all they way to the “Windows Security: Enter Your Credentials” window, after connecting. What am I suppose to type in this window? When I type the account username and password I get an error message say I cannot connect.
I made sure the server computer has RDC turned On, firewall bypassed, and there is no router just a DSL cable modem. What am I doing wrong?
Ann, the user name and password must be an user account setup on the PC, if the account is not an administrator account, then they must be added to the select users (from an administrator account).
You say DSL cable modem? … most DSL modems have routers built in.
If you go to Control Panel->Network->Status->Details.
If the IP address starts with 192 (or sometimes 10) then you have a router in the modem. The routers IP address will the one marked DHCP server. You usually access the setting by type this number into Internet explorer. You really need the modems instructions on how to forward port 3389.
If the number is something else there may be still a firewall in the modem itself, you will need to refer to the modems instructions.
Has anyone tried a more extensive program that connects PC to PC? I just started using a program offered by Proxy Network called Proxy Pro 6. I previously used Remote Desktop for Windows, but found through my travels out of the office, I needed software more compatible with different Windows versions.
OMG noobs ahoy in this forum!
To set you guys straight, you dont need to change the LOCAL port that RDP is using to support multiple computers on a LAN. Rather, use your router to FORWARD a different external port to port 3389 of a specific IP running RDP. For example:
setup port 7777 to forward to 192.168.1.3:3389
setup port 7778 to forward to 192.168.1.4:3389
etc, etc
That way you access a specific machine externally by:
:7777 to access 192.168.1.3
:7778 to access 192.168.1.4
etc, etc
This is standard port forwarding stuff and is the purpose ports were invented – to distinguis services on a machine. Someone has probably already mentioned this above, but i got tired of reading through the comments. Hope this helps!
bugger… the above should read:
WANIP:7777 to access 192.168.1.3
WANIP:7778 to access 192.168.1.4
etc, etc
It seems this forum parses as XML tags which i didnt realise
Hi, I am at school and i want to set up remote desktop connection to my pc at home (they both run vista home premium) and I want to be able to connect to my PC at home to use it’s internet connection as it doesn’t block stuff. I spoke to my friend who told me that i need to get an netgear router as i can then have a fixxed IP adress. Then i need to use something with a dynamic dns.
Please could you give me some help on this item.
Kit Cowan
I want to connect from one Vista Home to another Vista home remotely.
Is that possible and all i need is the ip address of each computer or do i need someone on the other end to press yes??
Thanks to Dave. I tried UltraVNC and it allows me to RDC from my XP Pro PC to my Vista Home Premium PC. Woo-hoo!
please any one can help me for my problem? I want to connect from my laptop with Vista version to another computer with xp version. please inform me the correct way to do that. thanks
Mal, I tried the hack for Vista Premium but I can’t get it to work. I’m trying to log in from an XP machine on the same network.
After running Premium.bat all looks good but after the line “Checking if service is listening on port 3389 I get the message “Service is not listening”.
I did add the exception to windows firewall.
I’m running AVG Anti Virus but I see nothing in there about unblocking port 3389. Could that be the problem? Any other ideas?
Just use “Windows Live Messenger”!!!
It Works Great and its very very easy!!!
If so many people want remote desktop connection with VISTA home, I wonder why it isn’t part of this system. Could the How-to-Geek Remote Desktop Client be a working solution for VISTA Home edition?
I’m trying to access our remote server at work from my home PC which has Windows Vista. I know the problem is with my home PC because I’ve accessed my work computer from a different computer that had an earlier Windows Version and it worked just fine. Here’s what I’ve done…. Start/All Programs/Accessories/Remote Login/ (enter the login name and my user name. I then get a windows security window which asks for my user name and password again. I enter them and get nowhere…. So darn frustrating…