Create remote access shortcuts
Windows 10 has a built-in tool that lets you remotely access the other PCS on your home network, which is ideal if you need to check something on your computer in the study, but don’t fancy traipsing up and down the stairs. You will need Windows 10 Pro on the PC that you’re accessing remotely, but you can remotely access that from any Windows 10 PC (Pro or Home edition).
If you regularly connect to the same PC, save yourself the hassle of loading the Remote Desktop tool each time (which you can find by searching the Start menu) and instead create a dedicated shortcut. Right-click an empty section of your desktop, select New, then Shortcut. In the Create Shortcut window that opens, type mstsc.exe /v:desktop, replacing ‘Desktop’ with the name of the PC you
Keep your PC running fast by reminding other users to log off
When you lock your screen (press the Windows key+l), Windows doesn’t sign you out. This makes logging back in much faster – you simply have to enter your password. However, if you share your PC with other people, having multiple accounts logged in simultaneously can slow Windows considerably.
You can forcibly log people out by restarting your PC, but this will result in other users losing any unsaved work. want to connect to (you can find this by typing about this pc, pressing Enter then looking under ‘Device name’). Alternatively, you can use the PC’S IP address – for example, mstsc.exe /v:192.168.1.117. To make your remote session run in full-screen mode, simply add a space, then /f to the end of the command (see screenshot).
Click ‘Next’, give your shortcut a name, then click Finish. The shortcut will now be added to your desktop. For even easier access to it, drag the shortcut on to your taskbar.
Instead, you can leave a note (polite or otherwise), reminding them to sign out of their account (the digital equivalent of leaving a note on the windscreen of a badly parked car).
First, open Task Manager by pressing Ctrl+alt+escape, then select the Users tab. You’ll now see all user accounts that are currently logged in (including your own). Right-click the account you want to leave a note for, click ‘Send message’ (see screenshot below left), then type your reminder in the Message box. The ‘Message title’ box will be pre-filled with your name, as well as the time and date of the message, but you can edit this if you like. Click ‘OK’ to send the message.
When the recipient of your note logs back on, your message will appear in its own window on their desktop.
Only those accounts with administrator privileges are able to send messages to other users, so you won’t be on the receiving end of any unpleasant messages in return.