Set up a Windows-based computer for remote access

Before you can use Remote Desktop Connection to connect to a Windows-based computer, you must set up the Windows-based computer to allow remote connections.

Important

The Windows-based computer must be turned on, and it must have a network connection. You can’t connect to a computer that is sleeping, hibernating, or on standby. Therefore, make sure that the settings for sleep, hibernation, and standby on the Windows-based computer are set to Never. For information about how to make those changes, see Windows Help. Make sure that the computer that you want to connect to is running a version of Windows that supports remote connections. For a complete list, see Windows version compatibility.

Do any of the following:

Allow remote connections on a computer that is running Windows 7

Allow remote connections on a computer that is running Windows Vista

Allow remote connections on a computer that is running Windows XP