Windows XP Home – remote connection

Windows XP Home includes a remote desktop protocol (RDP) client but not the host portion found in XP Professional wherein you can select a list of users that have access to remotely access the machine.

Quick work arounds (one of the following):

1. Use free remote control software like ‘logmein.com’ where you will need to setup an account and download small software client on the computer you want to remotely control.  Then, you can go to the logmein.com site from anywhere and control the remote machine.  Here is the link for logmein.com free account setup.
2. Use Virtual Network Computing software like TightVNC.com.  Be sure to enter a password that is hard to guess.
3. Recommended – this solution requires more work but, is recommended for the long run – upgrade XP Home to XP Professional by doing a fresh install.  Yes, that requires a reinstall of all your applications.  Then, use the RDP client.
4. Ideal & recommended – setup a Virtual Private Network (VPN) router (Cisco a popular choice of most businesses) at your main site and use a VPN software client to establish a connection between the remote computer and the main site.  This option would provide the most secure connection of all the options listed here.  Then, you can run #2 or #3 above or for $99, buy logmein’s ‘Remotely Anywhere’ workstation for $99.  PCAnywhere offers something similar for $192.
5. Sign up for subscription based services which offer more than just remote control of client computers – webex.com, gotomypc.com, etc..

In any instance, the ability to have remote control access is a fine time saver.  Also, now there are VPN clients for the iPhone and other handheld devices.