Remote Desktop Connection In Windows 7

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Remote Desktop Connection is a technology that allows you to sit at a computer (sometimes called the client computer) and connect to a remote computer (sometimes called the host computer) in a different location. For example, you can connect to your work computer from your home computer and have access to all of your programs, files, and network resources as though you were in front of your computer at work. You can leave programs running at work and then, when you get home, you can see your work computer's desktop displayed on your home computer, with the same programs running.

Here are answers to some common questions about Remote Desktop Connection.

How do I allow remote connections on the computer I want to connect to?

If the computer you want to connect to is using Windows 7 Professional, Windows 7 Ultimate, or Windows 7 Enterprise, follow these steps:
Click to open System.
In the left pane, click Remote settings. If you are prompted for an administrator password or confirmation, type the password or provide confirmation.
In the System Properties dialog box, under Remote Desktop, select one of the three options, and then click Select Users.

If you are an administrator on the computer, your current user account will automatically be added to the list of remote users and you can skip the next two steps.
In the Remote Desktop Users dialog box, click Add.
In the Select Users or Groups dialog box, do the following:
To specify the search location, click Locations, and then select the location you want to search.
In Enter the object names to select, type the name of the user that you want to add, and then click OK.

The name will be displayed in the list of users in the Remote Desktop Users dialog box.

Notes
You can’t connect to a computer that's asleep or hibernating, so make sure the settings for sleep and hibernation on the remote computer are set to Never. (Hibernation isn't available on all computers.) For information about making those changes, see Change, create, or delete a power plan (scheme).
You can't use Remote Desktop Connection to connect to a computer using Windows 7 Starter, Windows 7 Home Basic, or Windows 7 Home Premium.

How do I change Remote Desktop Connection settings?
Click to open Remote Desktop Connection.
In Computer, type the name of the computer you want to connect to.
Before connecting, click Options, and then make the changes you want on the Display, Local Resources, Programs, Experience, and Advanced tabs.

Note
To save these settings for future connections, click the General tab, and then click Save.
Click Connect.

Why can't I change some Remote Desktop settings?

Your system administrator is controlling those settings through Group Policy.

What is a full computer name?

Also known as a fully qualified domain name (FQDN), a full computer name includes the host (computer) name, the domain name, and all the higher-level domains. For example, the full computer name of a computer named "host" might be host.example.microsoft.com.

Is there multiple-monitor support for Remote Desktop Connection in this version of Windows?

Yes, Remote Desktop Connection supports the use of multiple high-resolution displays in a remote session. To have the remote computer's desktop use multiple monitors, follow these steps:
Click to open Remote Desktop Connection.
Click Options, and then click the Display tab.
Select the Use all my monitors for the remote session check box, and then click Connect.

Notes
This feature is sometimes called continuous resolution. To toggle in and out of full-screen spanned mode, press Ctrl+Alt+Break.
Desktop composition cannot be used if you are using multiple monitors in your remote desktop session. Desktop composition provides the user interface elements of Aero, such as translucent windows, for remote desktop sessions.

How can I change the listening port for Remote Desktop Connection?

For additional security, you can change the port that Remote Desktop Connection uses (or "listens on"), instead of using the standard port 3389. When you log on, type the remote computer name, followed by a colon and the new port number (for example, Computer1:3390). For instructions about making the change permanent, go to How to change the listening port for Remote Desktop on the Microsoft Help and Support website.