How to remote login to Windows XP Pro

[RyanInt]

I have a computer running Windows XP Professional at my office. I would like to access this computer from home running the same version of Windows. When I login, I am prompted for guest login. I am also unable to change the login to my user account. Can you help me how to remote login to Windows XP Pro computers?

[Kirt]

Did you enabled the remote login properly? Here are the steps that you need to follow:

1. Verify that you are signed in as the administrator.
2. Click Start, click Control Panel, and then click Performance and Maintenance.
3. Click System.
4. Click the Remote tab, select the Allow users to connect remotely to this computer check box, and then click OK.

Next, make sure you have Windows Firewall set up to allow exceptions.

1. In the Control Panel, click Security Center.
2. Under Manage security settings for, click Windows Firewall.
3. Make sure the Don't allow exceptions check box is not selected.
4. Click the Exceptions tab, and verify that the Remote Desktop check box is selected.
5. Click OK, and then close the Windows Security Center window.
   

   Your host computer is now set up to allow remote access. You will now need the name of the host computer.

6. In Control Panel, click Performance and Maintenance, click System, and then click the Computer Name tab.
7. Write down the full computer name, and then click OK.
8. Close Control Panel.
9. Leave this computer running, locked, and connected to the corporate network with Internet access.

[Zachary]

Your office computer should listen to connections on TCP port 3389. Just check your office is allowed using this command:

netstat -an | find "3389"

Then see that the protocol is up and "listening". You can check this by running this command:

telnet <IP_of_office_computer> 3389

[Big Fish]

To allow automatic logon to a computer running Windows XP Pro through Remote Desktop, follow these steps while logged on as an Administrator:

1. Click Start, click Run, type MMC, and then press ENTER.
2. Click File, and then click Add/Remove Snap-in.
3. Click Add, select Group Policy, click Add, and then click Finish.
4. Click Close, and then click OK.
5. Navigate to the following directory:
Local Computer Policy/Computer Configuration/Administrative Templates/Windows Components/Terminal Services/Encryption and Security
6. Double-click Always prompt client for password upon connection.
7. Click the Disabled box, and then click OK. You may now quit the MMC snap-in. Remote Desktop clients should now be able to connect to this Windows XP computer using the automatic logon feature of the Remote Desktop client.