Router: How to Connect to Your PC Remotely in Windows 8

This updated guide examines Router: How to Connect to Your PC Remotely in Windows 8 and organizes the essential facts, background, and practical takeaways in clear American English.

Part 1of 3:

Router Setup

1. Set up your router. to access your PC from another network you will have to forward a port on your router. To do this you must access your router's network page.
2. Get your router's IP address
   • Go into the START menu and search for 'command prompt'
   • In the command prompt type the command ipconfig . This will show a bunch of information for all your network devices.
   • Look for the device you connect to the internet with in this case Wireless LAN adapter Wi-Fi .
   • Under this heading find the Default Gateway address which will look something like: 192.168.2.1. This is the address of your router page.
3. Go to your router page.
   • Open your Internet browser. Type your routers IP address (your Default Gateway) into the address bar. You will then be prompted for a username and password.
   • If you had set up a username and password and you've lost them you will have to reset your router to factory default. To do this press and hold the reset button.
   • Every router will come with a default username and password. If you do not know them or have the box or manual try: http://www.routerpasswords.com/ For a large list of Router brands and listings of default usernames and passwords.
   • Or go to http://portforward.com/ and look under the routers section for Router passwords.
4. When you've accessed your routers page. (All router pages will be different depending on the make and model.)
   • 1. Find the WAN (Wide Area Network) section.
   • 2. In the WAN section find Port forwarding.
   • 3. Select the option to enable port forwarding if there is one.
   • 4. There will be a list where you can forward certain ports for certain devices on your network.
   • 5. In the local IP drop down list find the IP address or name of the PC your will be connecting to.
   • 6. Set the local port to 3389
   • 7. For protocol select Both
   • 8. Add the new port and click Apply. It should take about a minute to apply these changes.
   • 9. If necessary you may also need to Reboot the router.
   • 10. Now your router is set up to allow remote connections.

Part 2of 3:

PC Setup

1. Allow your computer to be accessed remotely.
   • Go to Control Panel.
   • Go to System and Security.
   • Under System or System Properties go to the Remote section.
   • Enable: Allow remote connections to this computer.
   • Apply changes and exit.
2. Allow Port 3389 through your firewall
   • In your Control Panel
   • Go to System and Security.
   • Go to Windows Firewall > click on Advance Settings > on the left click Inbound rules. In this window select New Rule on the right.
   • In the Inbound Rule wizard:
     • On the Rule Type page select Port
     • On the Program page select UDP
     • For the Specific local ports use 3389
     • Go through the rest of the pages and select all options you want to include.
   • Port 3389 will now be in your list of programs allowed through your firewall.
3. Disable hibernation or sleep mode
   • In your control panel
   • In System and Security
   • Under power options
   • Find the section Change when the computer sleeps on the right pane.
   • In the options for put the computer to sleep select Never
4. Set up a secure password
   • In your control panel
   • Go to User accounts and Family Safety
   • Select User accounts
   • Select Credential Manager
     • Under Windows Credentials
     • You have the option to edit your username and password.
     • Warning: it is recommended you have a secure password to access your pc.
   • For info on what a secure password should contain visit: http://windows.microsoft.com/en-ca/windows-vista/tips-for-creating-a-strong-password
   • To have one generated for you try using: http://passwordsgenerator.net/

Part 3of 3:

Connect

Now we are ready to connect.

1. Install Remote Desktop software
   • There are many different programs available you can use.
   • For these instructions we will use the Remote Desktop App available in the Windows Store.
   • Install the Remote Desktop App on the PC you are connecting from.
   • Make sure to Allow Remote Desktop to communicate through your firewall
2. Get the internet IP address for the PC you are connecting to.
   • In your internet browser in the search bar or on a search engine type:
     • "What's my IP?"
     • The results will show you several sites that will give you your public IP.
3. Use the public IP address to connect to your PC.
   • In the Remote Desktop App enter the IP address for the PC you are connecting to then click Connect.
   • Next you will be prompted for your username and password.
   • Enter your login information.
   • Now you will be connected and in full control of the other PC!
4. Connecting Locally
   • To connect within the same network it is the same process but you will enter the PCs local IP address or it's name.
   • You can find the name of your computer in Control Panel > System and Security > System.
5. Connecting with your Windows phone
   • If you happen to own a high end Windows 8 phone then you can also connect to any PC with it.
   • Go into the Windows Store and download the same app Remote Desktop.
   • Open the app
   • On the welcome screen click the Plus sign and add a new desktop.
   • In the PC name text box Enter:
     • The local IP address or Computer Name. If you are connecting on on the same network.
     • OR the public IP address if you are connecting over the Internet.
   • You will then be required to enter your credentials.