Lesson 2: Configuring Remote Support

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Remote Desktop Connection Application

Unlike Remote Assistance, Remote Desktop allows the Aero interface to keep functioning.

When using Remote Desktop over a LAN connection, it is even possible to view video without

any loss of quality.

To open the Remote Desktop connection application, click Start, All Programs, Accessories,

and Remote Desktop Connection. In the dialog box, you can enter the name or Internet Pro-

tocol (IP) address of the remote computer to which you want to connect. Clicking the Options

button enables you to configure more options for a Remote Desktop session. The options on

each tab are as follows:

■

The General tab allows you to save or edit a set of credentials to use with Remote Desk-

top. It also can be used to save the current connection settings to a file or open another

file that stores alternate connection settings. A user might save connection settings to a

file that contains the user’s computer’s IP address. When the user gets home, the user

can simply double-click the file to initiate a Remote Desktop connection.

■

The Display tab allows you to configure a display size for the connection, from a specific

resolution up to full screen. It is also possible to set the number of colors used by the

connection. A check box allows the display of the connection bar when connected to a

remote computer using the full screen mode. Configuring settings here, as well as on the

Experience tab, can improve performance when limited bandwidth is available.

■

On the Local Resources tab, it is possible to configure resources such as sound and

printers.

❑

By default, all sound on the host computer is transmitted to the remote computer.

It is also possible to leave sound on the host computer or disable it. You should be

careful about using the setting that leaves sound on the host computer because

this will play at normal volume. Coworkers might be startled if the computer of an

officemate who is telecommuting from home suddenly starts making unusual

noises.

❑

It is possible to configure keyboard combinations, such as 3D Flip, to work in full

screen mode only (the default), on the host computer only, or on the computer

making the Remote Desktop connection only.

❑

The Local Devices And Resources box allows you to connect your local printer

and clipboard to the Remote Desktop session. When it is connected to work

through Remote Desktop, it allows you to print to your home printer from your

work application. Clicking the More button brings up a new dialog box, shown

in Figure 8-25, that allows you to connect volumes on your computer, smart

cards, serial ports, and supported plug and play devices. Enable this setting if

you want to copy files from your local hard disk drive to a host computer that you

have connected to using Remote Desktop.