Remote Desktop and Remote Assistance

Starting with Windows XP, Microsoft introduced Remote Desktop and Remote Assistance. Similar to Terminal Services used in Windows 2000 servers, you can have access to a Windows session that is running on your computer when you are at another computer. This means, for example, that you can connect your work computer from home and have access to all of your applications, files, and network resources as though you were in front of your computer at work. You can leave programs running at work and when you get home, you can have your desktop at work displayed on your home computer, with the same programs running. Another example of using Remote Desktop and Remote Assistance is to remotely troubleshoot or administer a computer that is not nearby.

While using Remote Desktop and Remote Assistance, you can use your keyboard and mouse just like you are connected to the computer. You can click the Start button and click Windows Security, you can access the Security Window so that you can log off, reboot the computer, access the Task Manager, or change the password. If for some reason the Explorer taskbar is not available, you can also press the Ctrl+Alt+End keys to open the same window.

To use Remote Desktop and Remote Assistance, you have to use TCP port 3389. Therefore, it needs to be opened using the Windows Firewall and any other firewalls between your computer and the remote host.