How to Use a PC Anywhere

Insert the pcAnywhere CD in the computer that you intend to access remotely. The CD has an autorun feature, so the installation wizard will appear automatically. One of the first questions the wizard will ask you is if this computer will be the host or the client. The host is the computer you are accessing, and the client is the one you are physically using to access the other computer, so choose "host." Allow the installer to complete the rest of the setup process. Once finished, it will have you create a unique username and password to prevent unauthorized access. Finally, write down the internet IP address of this computer. This can be found from any one of a number of free IP address checking websites (see Resources below).

Open up any firewall application on your computer program to the restrictions list and grant pcAnywhere permission to both upload and download. This will ensure the firewall does not try to block the computer from being accessed from a remote location. Additionally, if your computer is behind a router, forward the UDP port 5632 to the computer you are accessing. For details on how to do this, see your router's documentation, since each router has a different configuration process. If this computer is located at a company or university, contact your systems administrator with this request.

Repeat the installation process on the computer you are going to use to access the first computer. This time, when asked by pcAnywhere which computer this is, select "client." Since the client computer is not the one being accessed, there is no need to configure the firewall or router. Once installed, you will be asked for the IP address and login details of the host computer. Type in the information you gathered previously, and click "connect." It will take a few moments for the computers to connect with each other, but you will then be greeted with your desktop. You will be able to move the mouse on the screen and type just like you would normally.