Connecting to the Remote Desktop

With your Windows 7, Windows Vista, or Windows XP computer set up to act as a Remote Desktop host, you've ready to make the connection, as described in the next two sections.

Making a Basic Connection

Remote Desktop Connection comes with a large number of advanced connection options and settings. If you don't want to bother with those advanced features right now, you can connect to the host in just a few steps. On the Windows 7 client computer, you make a basic connection to the host computer's desktop by following these steps:

1. Select Start, type remote, and then select Remote Desktop Connection in the search results.
2. In the Computer text box, type the name or the IP address of the host computer.
3. Click Connect. Windows 7 prompts you to enter your security credentials.
4. In Windows 7, type the username and password of the host account you want to use for the logon, and then click OK. (Note that in subsequent logons, you only need to type the password.)

NOTE: If you're using Windows XP to connect to a Windows 7 host, select Start, All Programs, Accessories, Communications, Remote Desktop Connection to open the Remote Desktop Connection window. Type the host computer name or IP address, and then click Connect. When the Windows 7 logon screen appears, click the icon of the user account with which you want to connect, type the account's password, and press Enter to complete the connection.

New Feature: In Windows 7, the Remote Desktop Connection program supports jump lists, and its jump list consists of recent connections you've made.