NOTE: Before using Remote Desktop from off-campus to connect to your office PC, you must first login to the Notre Dame VPN (Virtual Private Network).  Instructions on how to connect to the Notre Dame VPN can be found at https://www.oit.nd.edu/security/vpn/.

To set up your computer to use Remote Desktop
 1. Right click on My Computer 
 
 2. Select Properties
 
 3. Click the Remote tab 
 
 4. Under Remote Desktop, check that box to allow users to connect remotely to this computer.
    A box may pop up prompting you that the local accounts on your machine may not have passwords.  In
    order to use Remote Desktop, you must assign a password to your account.  You will also need to
    open the port for remote desktop.

 5. Click OK

Enable the Firewall Port for Remote Desktop:
 1. Go to Start-Control Panel-Network and Internet Connections (if you're in category
   view)-Network Connections
 
 2. Right click on your Local Area Connection
 
 3. Select Properties

 4. Click the Advanced tab (the Internet Connection Firewall should be enabled)
 
 5. Click the Settings button
 
 6. Check the box next to Remote Desktop 
 
 7. Click OK

The above steps must be completed for both machines before attempting to use Remote Desktop.  Note that you must have administrative accounts setup on both machines and the accounts must include passwords.

To Use Remote Desktop:
 1. Go to Start-All Programs-Accessories-Communication-Remote Desktop Connection

 2. Next to Computer, type in the IP Address of the machine you want to connect to.  To find out the
    ip address, click Start, select Run.  Next to open type cmd and then click OK.  At the C:/, type
    ipconfig and then press enter.
 
 3. Click Connect

 4. Once you connect you will be prompted to type in the administrative id and password of the machine
    you're trying to access. 

Note: To change your connection settings, (such as screen size, automatic logon information, and performance options), click Options before you connect

To log off and end the session

  1. In the Remote Desktop Connection window, click Start, and then click Shut Down. The Shut Down
    Windows dialog box appears.

  2. In the drop-down menu, select Log Off <username>, and then click OK.