Microsoft Office 2004, Control Your Windows PC Remotely From Your Mac (VNC)
An uncommonly known fact that ships with every copy of Microsoft Office 2004 for Mac, is Microsoft’s implementation of VNC, known as Remote Desktop Connection (RDC).
Using industry standard Virtual Network Computing (VNC) protocols, RDC does what Apple’s Remote Desktop (ARD) cannot do. Manipulate Windows PCs from your Mac. Sadly, RDC does not possess the capability to observe a Windows PC. The moment your Mac connects and logs in remotely, the connected Windows PC logs out locally and remains locked in the Windows login page for the duration of the link up.
If you have the privilege of having your Mac sit on a hybrid network alongside Windows PCs, give it a go.
The following excerpt from Mactopia’s RDC page details what you can do with RDC and the minimum Windows requirements for it to function:
If you don’t have a copy of Microsoft Office 2004 for Mac, at press time, you can download a free copy of RDC from Mactopia’s RDC page now.
For those with Microsoft Office 2004 for Mac installed, you can find your copy of RDC within the /Applications/Microsoft 2004/Additional Tools/Remote Desktop Connections/ folder. If you cannot find it, usually its because the drag and drop method of installing Microsoft Office 2004 sometimes excludes RDC as one of the installed components. You need to re-install Office 2004 using the set up assistant and ensure that you check the Additional Tools as part of the installation.
