This wikiHow teaches you how to access another computer's desktop on the same network using Remote Desktop on a PC with a Pro version of Windows, or Screen Sharing on a Mac. Before you can access another computer's desktop, you need to set the primary or "host" computer to enable remote desktop networking first. After that, you can connect another computer with the same operating system to the host computer remotely. You will also need the name or local IP address of the computer you want to access. Windows 10 Home Edition does not support remote desktop connection.
Step
Part 1 of 4: Enabling Remote Desktop Programs on a Windows Computer
Step 1. Open the “Start” menu
on the host computer.
Click the Windows logo in the lower-left corner of the toolbar of the computer you want to access remotely to open the “Start” menu.
Your computer must be running the Professional version of the Windows operating system before you can access other computers
Step 2. Type in control panel
As you type, a list of apps that match the search results will be displayed.
Step 3. Click the Control Panel program icon
The program is marked by a blue icon with a graphic in it.
Step 4. Click System and Security
This option is the first choice in the Control Panel program.
Step 5. Click Allow remote access
This option is under the “System” segment which is the third segment of the “System and Security” menu.
Step 6. Click the radial button next to "Allow remote connections to this computer"
It's in the box labeled "Remote Desktop".
Step 7. Uncheck
in the box under "Allow remote connections".
The process that needs to be followed will be complicated if you keep the "Allow connections only from computers running Remote Desktop with Network Level Authentication" option ticked.
Step 8. Visit https://www.whatsmyip.org via a web browser
On the same computer, open a web browser such as Chrome or Edge, and visit the What Is My IP website. This site will tell you the universal IP address of the computer.
Step 9. Write down the IP address
This address is a series of numbers separated by periods at the top of the page (eg "87.172.128.76"). The address is the IP address of the computer that you need to use the host computer through another computer remotely.
Part 2 of 4: Remotely Connecting Main Computer to Another Windows Computer
Step 1. Open the “Start” menu
on another computer.
Use the computer you want to use to access the host computer and click the Windows logo to open the “Start” menu.
Step 2. Type in rdc
A list of applications related to Remote Desktop Connection will be opened.
Step 3. Click the Remote Desktop Connection program icon
This program is indicated by a computer monitor icon.
On Mac computers, you can download the Windows Remote Desktop program from the App Store to connect your computer to a Windows host computer. Install the program, then run it afterwards
Step 4. Type in the IP address of the computer you want to access
You can type the name or IP address of the target computer in the field labeled "Computer".
Step 5. Click Connect
It's at the bottom of the “Remote Desktop” window.
Step 6. Enter the host computer information and click OK
Type in the administrator username and password, then click "OK". Click the checkbox next to the "Remember my credentials" option if you want to save the username and password so that they can be used in the next connection session.
Step 7. Click OK
If the computer shows that the identity of the target computer or host cannot be verified, click the. button OK to keep moving on to the next step. A new window will open showing the desktop of the target computer that is connected to the same network. Use the mouse cursor to access the computer remotely.
Part 3 of 4: Setting Up the “Screen Sharing” Feature on a Mac Computer
Step 1. Click menu
Select the Apple icon in the top-left corner of the menu bar, at the top of the screen. The Apple menu will open after that.
Step 2. Click System Preferences
This option is the second option on the Apple menu.
Step 3. Click Sharing
This option is indicated by a blue folder icon with a yellow mark.
Step 4. Click the "Screen Sharing" checkbox
The “Screen Sharing” box is the second option on the “Sharing “menu in the box on the left side of the window. You can see a check mark in the box once the option is enabled.
Step 5. Write down the VNC address
The VNC address is the text that appears under the "Screen Sharing: On" heading. Usually, this address looks like "vnc://10.0.0.1".
Step 6. Click Computer Settings
This option is under the "Screen Sharing: On" heading.
Step 7. Click the checkbox next to the “VNC viewers may control screen with password” option
This option is the second option on the pop-up menu.
Step 8. Enter the password
Type the password that the user needs to enter to access the computer in the column to the right of the message with a check mark.
Step 9. Click OK
It's in the lower-right corner of the pop-up menu. The “Screen Sharing” feature is now enabled on the computer.
Part 4 of 4: Connecting Another Computer to the Host Computer Remotely
Step 1. Open Finder
This app is indicated by a blue and white smiley face icon in the lower-left corner of the Dock.
Step 2. Click Go
It's in the menu bar at the top of the screen. A drop-down menu will open afterwards.
Step 3. Click Connect to Server
This option is at the bottom of the " Go " menu.
Step 4. Enter the VNC address of the Mac computer you want to access
When setting up the “Screen Sharing” feature on the host Mac computer, the VNC address required to access the computer will be displayed.
Step 5. Click Connect
It's in the lower-right corner of the “Connect to Server” window.
Step 6. Type in the computer username and password if prompted
You may be asked to enter a computer user name and password, depending on the process of setting up the “Screen Sharing” feature on another computer.
Step 7. Click Connect
A new window will open showing the host computer's desktop. Use the mouse cursor to control the host computer.
