Lots of times I find myself on a vacation or on a trip of some sorts where I really would like to get access to my computer back at home, and maybe even print off an excellent article that I read about.
Luckily for me I rarely shut my computer off, so I technically always do have access to it, and I don’t even need to download any fancy applications or have anything running in the background, all I have to do is enable Remote Desktop Connection, which many of you probably already have enabled without even knowing it.
One of the biggest upsides to this is the fact that you don’t need to have any software running in the background of your computer while you are actually at your computer, and you also don’t have to pay some ridiculous fee for something like GoToMyPC. I call it ridiculous because, frankly, it’s a feature that just about 90% of the computer manufactured today already have, and probably half of those computers have it already enabled and ready to use.
I am not going to go extremely In-Depth on “How-To Setup your home computer for use with a Remote Desktop Connection”, I am just going to let you know where it is so you can actually use it. You need to enable it by accessing the “System” control panel, then clicking the “Remote” tab, then enable it by checking “Allow users to connect remote to this computer”. Done. If that is already checked then you have been setup for this all along! Note: For more information, check the Microsoft Help Center article.
Now you just need to make sure you know your Computer’s IP, it is easy to get at WhatIsMyIP.com. All you need to do is write down the number’s in the middle of the screen, it’s easy to put on the back of a business card or something that you always have in your wallet.
When you get to your hotel room or wherever it is that you happen to be, odds are it already has the Remote Desktop Connection software installed, and odds are you can probably get access to it. Just click on the Start Menu, All Programs, Accessories, Remote Desktop Connection. Done. Type in your IP address, hit Connect, and enter your Username/Password for your home computer. You will then have access to your computer and all devices that are attached to it!
So like I was saying earlier, this is a handy tool to access a file that you may have forgotten half way through your four hour drive up north to visit a client, or maybe if you just want to print off a superb article (such as this), from Taiwan to your home printer back in Chicago, just to have whenever you might need it.
I really hope that this article opened your mind in the wonderful world of computers and what they can do to simplify your life, in really just a few easy steps. I also hope this saves you a few bucks here and there! Do you think you will be doing this anytime soon? I know for a fact I use this quite often, and because it’s so easy to setup.. why not! Have a good one, everyone!
