How to Connect My Home PC to My Office PC Via the Internet
By Avery Martin
Separating work from home has its advantages, but so does being able to access your work computer from home, which you can do using Windows Remote Connections. Some basic preparation is needed to configure your work computer to use Windows Remote Connections, and it must have access to the work network. Once you configure your home computer, you'll be able to access your work files and the business network through your home Internet connection. To avoid connection problems, set the work computer to never hibernate or sleep.
Set Up Work Computer
Step 1
Click the "Start" button and right-click "Computer," and then select "Properties."
Step 2
Click the "Remote Settings" menu and select the "Remote" tab. Check the "Allow Remote Assistance Connections to This Computer" option.
Step 3
Click "Select Users" and "Add" in the Remote Desktop Users dialog box.
Step 4
Type a username on your work computer that you want to access from home and click "OK" three times.
Firewall Set Up
Step 1
Click the "Start" button, "Control Panel" and then search for "Firewall" in the search box. Click "Windows Firewall" from the list of results. If you aren't using Windows Firewall, consult the instructions that came with your firewall. Complete the firewall set up on your work and home computer.
Step 2
Click "Allow a Program or Feature Through Windows Firewall."
Step 3
Check the "Remote Desktop" box under the "Allowed Programs and Features" and "Home/Work (Private)" section, if unchecked.
Find Work Computer IP
Step 1
Click the "Start" button, "Control Panel" and type "Network" in the search box. Click "Network and Sharing Center."
Step 2
Select the type of network your computer connects to. Click the link for "Wireless Network Connection" or "Local Area Connection."
Step 3
Click "Details" and copy the Internet Protocol address in the IPv4 Address field.
Set Up Work Router TCP Forwarding
Step 1
Type the IP address for your work router into a the Web browser on the work computer. Consult your router documentation for the exact address. Most routers use 192.168.1.1, 192.168.01.1 or 192.168.2.1.
Step 2
Look through each tab for a Port Forwarding option. The option is usually in the Network settings. Enable "Port Forwarding."
Step 3
Set the external port to 5000 and the internal port to 3389. Enter the IP address of the work computer.
Step 4
Set the "DNS Dynamic URL" option to on. Save your changes and exit the router administration panel.
Step 5
Navigate to whatismyip.com, whatismyipaddress.com or whatismyip.org. Copy your IP address listed on the website.
Connect to Work From Home
Step 1
Click the "Start" button and type "Remote" in the search box, and then click "Remote Desktop Connection."
Step 2
Type the IP address of the router in the "Computer" field, followed by a colon and the number "5000." For example, type "201.142.66.214:5000" if the IP address of the router is 201.142.66.214.
Step 3
Click "Connect." You can use any account that you gave access to on your work computer. Ignore the security warning and click "Yes."
References
Warnings
- Information in this article applies to Windows 7 Professional, Ultimate and Enterprise. It may vary slightly or significantly with other versions or products.
Writer Bio
Avery Martin holds a Bachelor of Music in opera performance and a Bachelor of Arts in East Asian studies. As a professional writer, she has written for Education.com, Samsung and IBM. Martin contributed English translations for a collection of Japanese poems by Misuzu Kaneko. She has worked as an educator in Japan, and she runs a private voice studio out of her home. She writes about education, music and travel.