How do I remotely access my computer?

Published: April 26, 2010

Updated: March 30, 2011

Applies To: Windows Small Business Server 2011 Essentials

When you are away from your office, you can use your Web browser to log on to the Remote Web Access site to remotely access your Windows SBS 2011 Essentials Dashboard, shared folders, and computers on your network.

When you connect to the Dashboard, you can manage Windows SBS 2011 Essentials just like you would if you were at the office. You can perform all of the usual administrative tasks, such as add user accounts, add shared folders, set shared folder access, and so on.

When you connect to computers on your network, you can access their desktops as if you were sitting in front of them at the office.

Important

Remote Web Access to your computer desktops is supported on Internet Explorer only. If you use another Web browser, you cannot access your computer desktops.

Computer status

The Status column shows you if you can connect to a computer on your network.

The status column can contain the following values:

• Available

  The computer is turned on and is available for a remote connection. Even if you see this status, you still may not be able to connect to this computer if a third-party firewall blocks the connection.

• Offline or Sleeping

  The computer is turned off or is in Sleep or Hibernate mode. If a computer is offline or sleeping, the status is updated in real time so that you can know when the computer becomes available.

• Unsupported operating system

  The operating system on the computer does not support remote desktop. It may take up to 6 hours for this status to be updated in the server if there is a change.

• Connection is disabled

  The computer connection is either blocked by a firewall, or the remote desktop is disabled on the computer or by Group Policy. It may take up to 6 hours for this status to be updated in the server if there is a change.

To connect to a computer on your network

On the Computers and Backup tab, click the name of the computer. You can select only computers with an Available status.

To connect to the server Dashboard

On the Computers and Backup tab, click the name of your server. You can select only computers with an Available status. You must be able to provide an administrator user account and password on your server to use the Dashboard.