Remote Desktop - Allow access to your PC
- Article
- 12/23/2021
- 3 minutes to read
- 10 contributors
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In this article
Applies to: Windows Server 2022, Windows 10, Windows 8.1, Windows Server 2019, Windows Server 2016, Windows Server 2012 R2
You can use Remote Desktop to connect to and control your PC from a remote device by using a Microsoft Remote Desktop client [available for Windows, iOS, macOS and Android]. When you allow remote connections to your PC, you can use another device to connect to your PC and have access to all of your apps, files, and network resources as if you were sitting at your desk.
Note
You can use Remote Desktop to connect to Windows 10 Pro and Enterprise, Windows 8.1 and 8 Enterprise and Pro, Windows 7 Professional, Enterprise, and Ultimate, and Windows Server versions newer than Windows Server 2008. You can't connect to computers running a Home edition [like Windows 10 Home].
To connect to a remote PC, that computer must be turned on, it must have a network connection, Remote Desktop must be enabled, you must have network access to the remote computer [this could be through the Internet], and you must have permission to connect. For permission to connect, you must be on the list of users. Before you start a connection, it's a good idea to look up the name of the computer you're connecting to and to make sure Remote Desktop connections are allowed through its firewall.
Enable Remote Desktop in Windows 10
As mentioned above, you need to Enable Remote Desktop feature on your computer, in order to be able to access your computer from another computer, located far away from your computer.
The downside of enabling Remote Desktop Connection is that it makes your computer vulnerable or open to remote attacks.
However, you can enforce Network Level Authentication, Strong Passwords and other security measures to limit this risk.
Unfortunately, Remote Desktop feature is not available in Windows 10 Home, it can only be enabled on computers running Windows Pro, Windows Enterprise and Windows Server.
Although, Windows 10 Home is equipped with Remote Desktop Client Software, it lacks the propriety RDP server from Microsoft, required for accessing remote computers.
1. Enable Remote Desktop Using Settings
The easiest way to Enable Remote Desktop connection in Windows 10 is by going to Settings on your computer.
1. Go to Settings > System.
2. Select Remote Desktop in the left-pane. In the right-pane, move the toggle next to Remote Desktop to ON position.
Note: Make sure “Keep my PC awake for connections when it is plugged in” option is selected or you will have to change Power Settings on your computer.
3. On the confirmation pop-up, click on Confirm.
4. On the same screen, click on Advanced Settings and enable Network Level Authentication.
After enabling Remote Desktop Connection, go to Settings > System > About and note down the Name of your computer.
The Name of a Computer is required to connect to a computer from a Remote Location.
Another way to connect to Remote Desktop is by using IP Address of the computer.
2. Enable Remote Desktop Using Sysdm.cpl
This method checks the power settings on your computer and prompts you to change power settings, if they are not compatible.
1. Type sysdm.cpl in the Search bar and select sysdm.cpl Control Panel Item.
2. On System Properties screen, select the Remote tab > check Allow Remote connections to this computer option.
3. Click on Apply and OKto save this setting on your computer.
As mentioned above, you will be prompted to change Sleep Settings on your computer, if they are not compatible.
3. Enable Remote Desktop Using Control Panel
If you like using the Control Panel, you can enable RDP using the following steps.
1. Open Control Panel > click on System and Security.
2. On System and Security Screen, click on Allow Remote Access option.
3. On the next screen, select Allow Remote connections to this computer option.
4. Click on Apply and OK to save this setting on your computer.
4. Enable Remote Desktop Using Run Command
Another way to Enable Remote Desktop connection is by going to System Properties screen using the Run Command.
1. Right-click on the Start button and click on Run.
2. In Run Command window, type SystemPropertiesAdvanced and click on OK.
3. On System Properties screen, select the Remote tab > check Allow Remote connections to this computer option and click on Apply and OK.
Note. You may be prompted to change Sleep Settings on your computer, so that your computer never goes to sleep.
Once Remote Desktop is enabled, you will be able to access your computer from remote location using Remote Desktop Protocol [RDP].
Related
- How to Protect Windows Computer From Remote Attacks
- How Access Remote Computer Using RDP
How to enable Remote Desktop on Windows 10
On Windows 10, you can enable Remote Desktop to allow remote access to the device using the Remote Desktop Protocol [RDP]. Usually, you would use this feature to offer assistance or control a computer or server without being physically present at the location using the modern “Remote Desktop” or legacy “Remote Desktop Connection” app.
The ability to allow external access to a device has been available for many years, but it was a feature you have to configure using the Control Panel. However, on Windows 10, the settings to enable remote access are now included in the Settings app.
In this guide, you’ll learn the steps to enable Remote Desktop to manage a device or access your files and apps remotely using the Settings app as well as using Control Panel on Windows 10.
Important: Remote Desktop is not a feature available on Windows 10 Home, only on Windows 10 Pro and Enterprise. If you’re running Windows 10 Home, you can use the Chrome Remote Desktop as an alternative.
How Do I Enable Remote Desktop on Windows Server?
Remote Desktop, by default, is disabled in Windows Server 2018. To enable this feature, you need to do it manually. In this guide, we’ll show you how to enable Remote Desktop on Windows Server:
How do I Enable Remote Access in Windows 10?
To Enable remote desktop windows 10 is incredibly easy to achieve.Here are a few ways for you to windows 10 remote desktop home
Windows 10
- Go to your Start menu and type Allow Remote Access to your Computer into the Search box.
- Click on the result from the Control Panel.
- In the System Properties dialogue box, in the Remote tab, under Remote Desktop select the Allow remote connections to this computer radio button and the Allow connections only from computers running Remote Desktop with Network Level Authentication check box and click OK.
- Click on your Settings cog, System > Power & Sleep. Make sure the Sleep option is is set to Never.
- Still in Settings, go to About and note down the device name [e.g. Joe_Bloggs_PC]. You will need this to access your computer remotely.