How to Use Remote Desktop in Windows 7

People often use Remote Desktop to change or install software on computers out of physical reach. This article will show you how to use Remote Desktop from a Windows 7 computer, as well as explain how to make a computer connectable. You’ll need to change settings on both the “target” computer (the one being controlled) and the “connecting” computer (the one doing the controlling) before you begin.

EditSteps

EditEnable Remote Desktop on the Target Computer

1. Double-check the version of Windows on the target computer. The computer receiving the connection from your Windows 7 computer should have one of the following operating systems installed: Windows 10, Windows 8.1 (Professional or Enterprise), Windows 7 (Professional, Ultimate or Enterprise). ^[1]
2. Open the System control panel. Open the control panel and select “System and Security.” Click “System.”
3. Click “Remote Settings.” This will open the System Properties panel.
4. Allow connections from other computers. Toward the bottom of the panel, you’ll see several options for Remote Desktop.
   • Select “Allow connections from computers running any version of Remote Desktop” if you’re not sure of the version of Windows installed on the system that will be making a connection. ^[2]
   • Select “Allow connections only from computers running Remote Desktop with Network Level Authentication” if both computers are running Windows 7. You’ll only see this option on a Windows 7 computer, so don’t panic if you don’t see it in another version.
5. Click “Select Users.” You’ll be brought to a screen where you can add a new user account.
6. Click “Add.” You can select any of the computer’s existing user accounts by typing a username and clicking on “Check Names.” Select the account you wish to use and click “OK.”
   • If you want to create a new user account, see Create a New User Account in Windows Vista and 7 and Create a New User for Windows 8.
7. Click “OK.” Remote Desktop is now enabled on the target system.

EditFind the IP Address of the Target Computer

1. Connect the target computer to the network. The two computers will need to be able to reach each other over a network in order for Remote Desktop to work. The following steps will work for both a local network and the Internet.
2. Open a command prompt. Open the Start menu and type “command prompt” in the search box, then click “Command Prompt” when it appears in the search results.
   
3. Type “ipconfig” and press Enter. This will display the target computer’s IP configuration. Write down the address next to “IPV4 Address.” The connecting computer will need this address to connect.
   

EditAllow Remote Desktop Connections through the Target Computer’s Firewall

1. From the control panel, click “System and Security.” This will open the System and Security control panel.
2. Click “Allow a program through Windows Firewall." Choose “Change Settings" to specify which program you want to allow.
3. Put a check in the box next to Remote Desktop. Click “OK” to save and exit. If you want to reverse these firewall settings at any time, navigate back to this location and remove the check from Remote Desktop.

EditRunning Remote Desktop on the Connecting Computer

1. On the Windows 7 computer connecting to the target, open the Start menu and type “Remote Desktop” in the search box. When "Remote Desktop Connection" appears in the search results, click on it.
   
2. Enter the IP address of the target computer. This is the IPv4 address you previously collected from the other system. Press “Connect.”
   
3. Enter your login credentials. Enter the username and password of the account you configured in the target computer’s Remote Desktop settings. Click “OK.” ^[3]
   
4. Control the target computer remotely. You are now logged in to the target computer from your Windows 7 workstation.
   

EditVideo

EditTips

• Only allow Remote Desktop connections from people you trust.
• Use Remote Desktop to show your less computer-savvy friends and family how to use different features on their computers.

EditRelated wikiHows

• Connect to Your PC Remotely in Windows 8
• Secure a Remote Desktop
• Hear Audio from the Remote PC when Using Remote Desktop

EditSources and Citations

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