Connect to Remote Desktop for Administration

Article
10/08/2009

Applies To: Windows Server 2003, Windows Server 2003 R2, Windows Server 2003 with SP1, Windows Server 2003 with SP2

To connect to Remote Desktop for Administration

At the server
At the remote computer

At the server

Be sure you have the appropriate permission to use Remote Desktop for Administration. You must be an Administrator, or you must be a member of the Remote Desktop Users group. To learn more about joining the Remote Desktop Users group, see Add users to the Remote Desktop Users group

Be sure Remote Desktop for Administration is enabled.
You must have the network computer name or IP address of the server.
You must not turn off the server.
Print this page and take these instructions to the remote computer.

Notes

To determine your network computer name, open System in Control Panel. On the Computer Name tab, locate the Full computer name item. Your computer name is the part of the text string to the left of the first period.
To print this page, right-click anywhere on the text, and choose Print from the context menu.

At the remote computer

From Windows Server 2003 family operating systems
From an operating system other than a Windows Server 2003 family operating system

From Windows Server 2003 family operating systems

Connect to your company network by means of Local Area Network (LAN), modem, or Virtual Private Network (VPN) connection.
To open Remote Desktop Connection, click Start, point to All programs, point to Accessories, point to Communications, and then click Remote Desktop Connection.
Type in the name or IP address of the server you want to connect to, and then click Connect.

From an operating system other than a Windows Server 2003 family operating system

Log on to your Internet Service Provider (ISP).
Install the necessary client software from the Remote Desktop Connection Software Download page.
To open Remote Desktop Connection, click Start, point to All programs, point to Accessories, point to Communications, and then click Remote Desktop Connection.
Type in the name or IP address of the server you want to connect to, and then click Connect.

Information about functional differences

Your server might function differently based on the version and edition of the operating system that is installed, your account permissions, and your menu settings. For more information, see Viewing Help on the Web.