What is a remote desktop connection?

Remote Desktop Connection is the capability to access a user's desktop on a particular computer from a different computer at a remote location via a local network or the Internet. The user would then be able to access files and execute programs on the host computer as if actually there.

Remote Desktop Connection is built into higher-end versions of Microsoft Windows beginning with Windows XP. It relies on Remote Desktop Protocol to transmit user keystrokes and mouse movements to the host machine and screen changes from the host machine to the remote machine. If using Remote Desktop Connection of the Internet, be sure to set a strong password to prevent unauthorized access to your computer.