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Checklist:
Prepare for Remote Admin
Access
| Published: |
April
2, 2003 |
| Updated: |
November
5, 2012 (added Win 8 instructions)
September 12, 2015 (added Windows 10) |
Scenarios:
- You requested IT to remotely perform
upgrades/troubleshooting/repairs
- You were notified of a scheduled remote admin task.
Minimize
delays, risks and frustrations... 4
simple steps.
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Recommended
procedure
- Logoff* Windows, incl. RDP sessions
- Leave computer power on
!!
- Remove discs from drives (boot interference)
- Provide password(s) as
needed (details below)
Leave it at Windows login
screen ("lock screen")
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IN
GENERAL
Always logoff,
but
leave
power on.
EXCEPTION
When you're
specifically
told to leave it mid-session,
in order to preserve
a hard-to-reproduce
error condition. |
Logoff = Log out = Sign off = Sign out but≠ Disconnect!
Details below:
How do I log off Windows? 2
keystrokes
Why log off?
- It's risky
to leave system logged in and unattended.
- Unauthorized
persons can gain access to confidential data.
- A
power glitch could also cause losses/corruptions.
- Leaving
files opened will likely interfere with backup process.
- Logging
off forces you to save all documents as needed.
- IT
can't decide for you, and it'll cause needless contacts/delays.
- Note:
Saving when it shouldn't be causes inadvertent alterations/losses.
- IT admins
have specific needs, and prefer to login to admin account with tools
and environments optimized
for such operations.
- An
existing session presents a major dilemma:
- Resume
that user session (requires user's password) in order to log off
properly (still subject to file-saving dilemma), then re-login as
admin. Very time consuming!
- Take
the justifiable risk of terminating (crashing) existing session and possible data losses.
Sometimes it's the only
option.
- Per privacy rules: IT should avoid seeing user data or
otherwise accessing user accounts, unless it's necessary to perform the
task(s) in question.
Should
I turn monitor
power off?
-
Generally, you can
rely on Windows to power off monitor after idle period
- If you suspect your power savings settings is disabled, or
otherwise non-functional, you can manually power off monitor to
avoid burn-in
Account Password
(Windows, email, external accounts, etc.):
- If the
task must be performed from within the user account, be sure to provide
all the necessary passwords, unless they're already on-file and
unchanged.
- Alternatively,
a new user password
will be assigned, and you'll be
notified (typically via voicemail). IT cannot see what your existing
password is, but has the power to issue new ones.
See also:
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on desktop