How to setup Remote Desktop for Windows 8 Pro on your Android or iOS device

 Do you need remote access to your home or work Windows 8 (or 8.1) computer? Well it’s not all that hard to setup. Microsoft recently released their official Remote Desktop app and this guide will help you set things up. You will not only be able to access your home or work computer remotely from your Android phone or tablet, but you will also be able to from an iOS device as well. Hit the break for the step-by-step instructions.

A quick disclaimer, though, before you get started: You have to be running Windows 8 Pro (or 8.1 Pro) to get it all going. If you’re not sure, follow the instructions below to check.

1. Move your finger to the right side of the screen and swipe to the left to view the Charms menu. If you’re using a mouse, move it to either the top right or bottom right side of the screen.
2. Click on the last icon, “Settings.” 
3. Click on “PC Info,” and then under “Windows edition” it should say what version you are currently running. If it’s not Pro, then you can purchase it for $99.

If you’ve got Pro, then great! Let’s begin:

First, you have to set up your remote settings on your PC.

PART 1

1. Bring up your Charms menu once again, as was done in the previous steps. This time, click on  the “Search” icon, and type in “System.” A blue PC monitor should appear— click on that.
2. A window should now pop up. In the window, click on “Remote Settings” on the left side.
3. Under the “Remote” tab (which you should be on by default), go under “Remote Desktop” and make sure that you have “Allow remote connections to this computer” clicked on.
4. Then click “Apply,” and close the window.

PART 2

It’s important to know that by default, if your computer goes to sleep or begins hibernating, remote desktop will no longer work. In order to change your settings, follow these instructions.

1. Once again bring up the Charms menu, and click on the Search icon. Type in “Power Options” and click on the green battery icon that appears first in the search results. 
2. Under “Choose or customize a power plan,” look for the plan that your computer is currently set to. (It is most likely the “Balanced Plan” if you did not change the default settings.)
3. Click on “Change plan settings” on the right of the plan title.
4. Under the “Put the computer to sleep” title, make sure that you select “Never” under the “Plugged In” category.

Now, even if your display turns off, your computer won’t go to sleep while it’s plugged in. This way, Remote Desktop will continue to work.

PART 3

You didn’t expect the Remote Desktop app on your device to seamlessly find your computer without a problem or any extra work, did you? You’ll need your IP address first. If you don’t know yours, follow the instructions below.

1. Bring up the Charms menu again, and click on Search. Type in “cmd,” the program name for the Command Prompt. Hit enter when you finish typing in “cmd.”
2. To get your IP address, you should type in “ipconfig” into the Command Prompt. Hit enter, and your network adapter settings should show up. This includes your IP address under “IPv4.” (It should look something like mine, 192.168.1.11.)
3. Write down your IP address.

PART 4

Next, you’ll have to set up the app component of Remote Desktop.

1. To get started, open up the Play Store on your Android device. (Or if you’re working on an iOS device, open the App Store.)
2. Find the official Microsoft Remote Desktop app, and install it. It’s free!
3. Once installed, open the app and tap on the plus sign on the top right side of the app to add a new computer.
4. Now you’re going to have to enter some information. Under “Connection Name” type in whatever you want to call the PC you are connecting to. As you’ll see in the screenshot below, I named mine “Harry-PC.” Under “PC name,” enter the IP address that you found in the Command Prompt earlier. Skip “Gateway,” and go straight to the “Credentials” section. Enter your Microsoft account that you use to log into your PC (email address) as well as the password to that account. Tap the checkmark on the top to save your settings.<i

Now you can enjoy access to your home or work desktop from anywhere using your Android phone or tablet.

Thanks !!!