Member Avatar for nikkisboricua

Hey you guys,

I currently have Windows XP Home Edition SP2 on my computer and do not have access to professional. Is there a way to get the xp professional remote desktop program (so that i can access this pc) on my xp home machine?

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Dani AI

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Short answer: you can’t add Microsoft’s RDP “host” to Windows XP Home. As already noted, RDP is split into a viewer and a server component; XP Home lacks the incoming‑connection (server) piece, so the practical choices are to upgrade the OS or use a third‑party remote‑access method. rightly called out VNC and mentioned web‑based services as alternatives.

Practical, safe options and what to watch for:

  • Use a VNC‑type server on the XP Home machine for full remote control. Install the server as a service, set a strong, unique password, pick a VNC build that supports encryption (or run it over a VPN/SSH tunnel), open/forward the TCP port you choose (default 5900) on your router only if necessary, and test locally before exposing anything to the internet.
  • Choose an outbound‑connected service (LogMeIn/TeamViewer/others) if you want NAT traversal without port‑forwarding. They are easier to set up but require trusting the provider and may have limited free features.
  • Use Windows Remote Assistance (built into XP) for one‑time, invitation‑based support sessions if a helper is available at the other end. It avoids installing a persistent server.

Security notes and checklist:

  • XP is long past end‑of‑life; do not expose it directly to the internet without a VPN.
  • Always prefer encrypted connections or a VPN.
  • Use strong passwords, keep any third‑party software at the latest version supported for XP, and restrict accounts that can be used for remote login.
  • Test everything on your local LAN before relying on remote access from outside.

If a permanent, secure RDP host is required, upgrading the machine to a supported Windows edition (or moving the service to a more modern device) is the safest long‑term solution.

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Member Avatar for kc0arf

Hello,

Are you referring to the viewer program, or the server program?

The server program is called Terminal Services, and it can be found on NT Server, 2000 Server, 2003 Server, and XP Professional. Not sure if it is on XP Home or not. When run in administrative mode, it can support up to 2 connections from viewers.

The viewer program may be found a variety of places. For Windows XP/2000, go to Microsoft's website, and search for Remote Desktop, and you should find it. If you have a Mac or Linux box, you can find free viewers out there on the internet, too. Beware that the Linux version requires Xwindows, and a command line command to fire off the remote session.

I use RDC and the various viewers on Mac and Linux all the time to keep the Windoze farm in line.

Christian

Member Avatar for nikkisboricua

im looking for the server part. i know that home doesnt have it though

Member Avatar for alc6379

Why not just use VNC?

http://www.realvnc.com/

It's free, and does the same thing. You have to install a client program on the machine you're accessing from, but that's no big deal-- I've seen Java clients for this, too, so it can be web-based if need be.

Member Avatar for 1RealTruth

What Make is your computer? Dell, Compaq, IBM, Sony etc......

Member Avatar for Member #533276

I have good experience with www.logmein.com
You have with logmein webbased secured (SSL) direct access to your desktop.

Just sign up there for a free acccount, install logmein program
as service and access via the webbased console, that's it.

Good luck ;-)

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