How do I Connect to Home Computer from Anywhere


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I want to connect to my home computer from any internet connection. I want to access files, access my desktop, as well as open and run programs.

I do NOT want to install software on any computer I want to access from, nor do I want to carry a USB stick with software on it.

I'm looking for options. Obviously, this will connect through the internet via an address, I want to know how. Anything else is welcome.

Please don't assume I should know something.

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I do NOT want to install software on any computer I want to access from

Unless you use the built in Remote Desktop app in Windows, you're going to have to. Personally, I like to use Windows Live Mesh to do what you are asking. It takes the guess work out of setting up Remote Desktop and you don't have to reconfigure your computers IP settings and the like.

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Unless you use the built in Remote Desktop app in Windows, you're going to have to. Personally, I like to use Windows Live Mesh to do what you are asking. It takes the guess work out of setting up Remote Desktop and you don't have to reconfigure your computers IP settings and the like.

I'm okay using the Remote Desktop. How do I use it when I am not on the same network? Like, a library out of town, or at work.

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You want Remote Desktop. Enable that, and setup your router settings to forward port 3389 to your computer.

I'm okay using the Remote Desktop. How do I use it when I am not on the same network? Like, a library out of town, or at work.

You'll have to change your router settings.

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Can you install software on the home PC? you have several options if you can. I recommend Teamviewer. just google it and download. You will be able to use the web interface to access your PC. You can also use windows live mesh. Logmein.... there are others.

If you can't install software on the home PC, then the following is your only option and it isn't great.

Remote desktop uses port 3389. You will need to forward this port on your router to the PC. You also need to configure the PC firewall if it isn't configured.

This is assuming that the library computer is running windows. if not, you are out of luck.

What you need is your home IP address. From the remote PC, open up remote desktop connections. type in your home IP address and click connect. User name you use on your home PC MUST have a password.

From here, you will get a connection if you did everything correctly.

If you want instructions on how to forward the port, we need your router's make and model. If you want instructions on how to open access in the firewall, we need to know what firewall you are using and what version of windows you are running.

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Can you install software on the home PC? you have several options if you can. I recommend Teamviewer. just google it and download. You will be able to use the web interface to access your PC. You can also use windows live mesh. Logmein.... there are others.

If you can't install software on the home PC, then the following is your only option and it isn't great.

Remote desktop uses port 3389. You will need to forward this port on your router to the PC. You also need to configure the PC firewall if it isn't configured.

This is assuming that the library computer is running windows. if not, you are out of luck.

What you need is your home IP address. From the remote PC, open up remote desktop connections. type in your home IP address and click connect. User name you use on your home PC MUST have a password.

From here, you will get a connection if you did everything correctly.

If you want instructions on how to forward the port, we need your router's make and model. If you want instructions on how to open access in the firewall, we need to know what firewall you are using and what version of windows you are running.

I can install software on my PC. I am the admin.

My router is the Motorola 2247-N8. I think I do want to take the Remote Desktop approach. I do not want to use Teamview unless I have too.

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the issue you will have is the library computers most of the time are locked down from doing anything but internet or writing a school paper with Microsoft word

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the issue you will have is the library computers most of the time are locked down from doing anything but internet or writing a school paper with Microsoft word

I see. My goal was not to have anything running on my home computer.

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Teamviewer is a free (for personal use) and easy remote connection proggie. I have it on my iphone, my ipad, my laptop if I need to pull up any files I need and forgot about. It is not a great steaming solution so you can't run movies through it. though it is great for starting programs or to check the computer's webcam to look at my lounge room to see if my home is okay. Also great for kick starting steam downloads so games will be ready when I come back (though Steam is integrating their own remote install).

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I used to log in to my Mac from work by using Logmein. While you have to install a program on the home machine, once that is done you can log in to the Logmein website and access your home machine via a Java interface. It doesn't run the smoothest (thanks to Java, I think) but it gets the job done. And the best part is that you don't need to install anything on other machines, and it works on all platforms.

Windows 7 doesn't come with Remote Desktop in the Home version, only Professional, Business and Ultimate editions.

EDIT: Logmein Website.

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Thanks for the tips. I do have Ultimate at home, "Ballmer Edition."

Anyways, at work I have Remote Desktop, and on my iPhone I can use "Jump." I am still trying to get the web interface to work.

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I don't know what you have against preinstalling software vs opening your network up to being compromised, but to each their own I guess.

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So you have now 2 ports open (80 and 3389) to your box from the public net, with just your username and password protecting it with remote desktop, but you have also exposed IIS to the public for exploit to gain access to your machine.

Yeah that sounds like sweet security idea, so that you wouldn't have to install anything on your machine ;)

And people wonder how someone got into their machine? ;)

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So you have now 2 ports open (80 and 3389) to your box from the public net, with just your username and password protecting it with remote desktop, but you have also exposed IIS to the public for exploit to gain access to your machine.

Yeah that sounds like sweet security idea, so that you wouldn't have to install anything on your machine ;)

And people wonder how someone got into their machine? ;)

What is the point to your sarcasm and snideness? Why don't you enlighten people instead of diss them. Sounds like every other IT guy I know.

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What is the point to your sarcasm and snideness? Why don't you enlighten people instead of diss them. Sounds like every other IT guy I know.

You were given better options and chose to ignore them. That's why the attitude most likely. You got want you wanted, but not nearly as secure or works as well as the the others.

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You were given better options and chose to ignore them. That's why the attitude most likely. You got want you wanted, but not nearly as secure or works as well as the the others.

actually rdp works a lot better. but is very very very flawed because it isn't secure.

What I would suggest if using rdp, setup a vpn to your network then you can use rdp. First there is a layer of encryption that is near impossible to penetrate, then let them try to get in by brute forcing it. if it isn't aaaaaaaaaa or password or some other very simple key you are golden. You will have access to everything on your network without opening ports that every bot on the planet is trying to force their way into. But for simplicity sake, just use teamviewer or logmein free. You have to enable remote desktop on the computers anyway, what's another 30 seconds.

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Because, if I said Sir, sorry to bother you but that setup is not very secure. You would ignore it, but when direct and to the point without any fluff on it - people tend to pay attention.

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