Disable Remote Desktop and Remote Assistance - Vista and 2008

Follow the steps below in order to Disable Remote Desktop and Remote Assistance in Windows Vista and 2008. ASG shows you how to Disable both features and How to Block them in the Windows Firewall for an added layer of protection.

If you do not use Remote Desktop on your computer. Then it is best to make sure it’s turned off completely. Remote Desktop is a program you can use to log into your computer from another computer. Disabling Remote Desktop will keep people from logging into your computer, unless the person is sitting right at your computer and holding your computers mouse and keyboard.

To Disable Remote Desktop

1. Right click on Computer, then choose Properties.
   
2. Then click on “Remote Settings”.
   
3. Then Uncheck the box next to “Allow Remote Assistance connections to this computer.
   
4. Then to Disable Remote Desktop, make sure that you have selected “Don’t Allow connections to this computer”.
   
5. Now click OK to save those settings. Click here to see a screen shot 
   

To Block Remote Desktop in the Windows Firewall

1. Click on Start
   
2. Then click Control Panel
   
3. Then click Classic View on the left hand side of the Control Panel
   
4. Then click “Windows Firewall” at the bottom of the Control Panel Window
   
5. Then click “change settings” to open the firewall
   
6. Then click the Exceptions tab and look for the “Remote Desktop” and “Remote Assistance” entries. Be sure to Uncheck both entries in the list. Then click OK to save your settings. Click here to see a screen shot