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This article applies to you if you have total control over your firewall devices, administration privileges to your computer and of course, some background in computer networking.

Note The default Remote Desktop Connection Client for Windows XP Professional is 3389.

You can use the Remote Desktop feature in Microsoft Windows XP Professional to connect to your computer from another remote computer. To change the port that Remote Desktop listens on, follow these simple steps.

Changing The Default Windows XP Pro RDP Port Number

Important This section, method, or task contains steps that tell you how to modify the registry. However, serious problems might occur if you modify the registry incorrectly. Therefore, make sure that you follow these steps carefully. For added protection, back up the registry before you modify it. Then, you can restore the registry if a problem occurs.

1. Start Registry Editor. (regedit)
2. Locate and then click the following registry subkey:
   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\System\CurrentControlSet\Control \TerminalServer\WinStations\RDP-Tcp\PortNumber
3. On the Edit menu, click Modify, and then click Decimal.
4. Type the new port number, and then click OK.
5. Quit Registry Editor.

You have successfully changed your default RDP port number at this point.

Note When you try to connect to this computer by using the Remote Desktop connection, you must type the new port.

Port Forwarding Your Firewall To RDP To Your Computer

Once you have successfully changed your Windows XP default port number, it is time to do another trick (configuration in your firewall) to port forward your newly created RDP port number to point to your computer. Here is the setting and it may vary from different types/model of firewall.

Alternative To Windows RDP

You can use some third party application to access into your computer in a similar way by using any of this following application:

• Real VNC
• TeamViewer
• Ultra VNC
• LogMeIn

Hope this helps you with your RDP activity.