How to Enable and Use Remote Desktop (RDP) in Windows

What Is Windows Remote Desktop and How Does RDP Work?

Remote Desktop is a built-in Windows feature that lets you control another Windows computer over a network. After connecting, you can open programs, manage files, change settings, and work with the remote desktop almost as if you were sitting in front of that PC.

The connection uses the Remote Desktop Protocol, usually abbreviated as RDP. One computer acts as the host or remote PC, while the device used to connect acts as the client.

Remote Desktop Requirements in Windows 11 and Windows 10

Before enabling RDP, verify that the computer you want to control can act as a Remote Desktop host. The edition installed on the remote PC matters; the edition on the client device is less restrictive.

Basic RDP Requirements

• The remote PC must be powered on and connected to the network.
• Remote Desktop must be enabled on the remote PC.
• The Windows account used for the connection must have permission to sign in remotely.
• The account should have a password; a Windows Hello PIN is not normally used as the RDP password.
• Windows Firewall must allow the Remote Desktop rules.
• The client must be able to reach the remote PC by computer name or IP address.

How to Prepare a Windows PC for Remote Desktop Access

Collect the remote computer name, account name, and local IP address before you connect. This makes troubleshooting much easier if Windows cannot resolve the PC name automatically.

Check the Windows Edition

1. Press Win + I to open Settings.
2. Open System and select About.
3. Under Windows specifications, check the Edition field.
4. Confirm that the remote PC runs Windows Pro, Enterprise, or Education.

Find the Computer Name

You can also open Command Prompt and run:

hostname

Find the Local IP Address

Open Command Prompt and run:

ipconfig

Look for the IPv4 Address under the network adapter currently in use. A home network address commonly looks like 192.168.1.50 or 10.0.0.25.

Find the Windows Account Name

Run the following command on the remote PC:

whoami

The result may appear as PC-NAME\username. For a Microsoft account, Windows may instead ask for the account email address and its full password.

How to Enable Remote Desktop in Windows Settings

The Settings app is the simplest and safest way to enable the built-in Remote Desktop host. The path is nearly identical in Windows 11 and Windows 10.

1. Sign in to the remote PC using an administrator account.
2. Press Win + I to open Settings.
3. Select System, then open Remote Desktop.
4. Turn on Remote Desktop.
5. Select Confirm when Windows asks whether you want to enable the feature.
6. Note the displayed PC name; you can use it later in the Remote Desktop client.

When Remote Desktop is enabled through Settings, Windows also enables the corresponding Windows Firewall rules. You normally do not need to create a manual firewall exception.

Keep Network Level Authentication Enabled

Open the Remote Desktop settings and keep the option requiring devices to use Network Level Authentication (NLA) enabled. NLA verifies credentials before Windows creates the full remote session, reducing the system resources exposed to unauthenticated connection attempts.

Prevent the Remote PC from Sleeping

A sleeping or hibernating computer usually cannot accept an RDP connection unless Wake-on-LAN has been configured separately. Review the power settings on a PC that must remain remotely available.

Other Ways to Enable Remote Desktop in Windows

Administrators can also enable RDP through the classic System Properties dialog or with PowerShell. These methods are useful when the Settings page is unavailable or when configuring several PCs.

Enable RDP with System Properties

1. Press Win + R.
2. Enter SystemPropertiesRemote.exe and press Enter.
3. On the Remote tab, select Allow remote connections to this computer.
4. Keep the NLA option selected.
5. Click Apply, then OK.

Enable RDP with PowerShell

Open Windows Terminal or PowerShell as administrator, then run:

Set-ItemProperty -Path 'HKLM:\System\CurrentControlSet\Control\Terminal Server' `
  -Name 'fDenyTSConnections' -Value 0

Enable-NetFirewallRule -DisplayGroup 'Remote Desktop'

To disable incoming RDP later, use:

Set-ItemProperty -Path 'HKLM:\System\CurrentControlSet\Control\Terminal Server' `
  -Name 'fDenyTSConnections' -Value 1

Disable-NetFirewallRule -DisplayGroup 'Remote Desktop'

How to Add Users Allowed to Connect Through Remote Desktop

Members of the local Administrators group can normally connect through RDP automatically. Standard users must be added to the list of Remote Desktop users.

1. Open Settings → System → Remote Desktop.
2. Select Remote Desktop users or Select users that can remotely access this PC.
3. Click Add.
4. Enter the local, Microsoft, or domain account name.
5. Select Check Names if the dialog provides that option.
6. Click OK to save the user.

How to Connect to a Windows PC with Remote Desktop on a Local Network

Once the host is configured, use the built-in Remote Desktop Connection app on another Windows computer. The executable name is mstsc.exe.

Connect with Remote Desktop Connection

1. On the client PC, press Win + R.
2. Enter mstsc and press Enter.
3. In the Computer field, enter the remote PC name or local IP address.
4. Select Connect.
5. Enter the username and full account password for the remote PC.
6. Review the certificate warning. Continue only if the computer name or IP address is the one you intended to reach.

Connect from Windows App

Microsoft also provides Windows App for supported platforms. It can create a saved remote PC entry using a hostname or IP address. On Windows, the built-in mstsc.exe client remains the simplest choice for a direct one-time RDP connection.

Connect from macOS, iPhone, iPad, or Android

1. Install Microsoft's current remote desktop client for the platform.
2. Add a new PC connection.
3. Enter the remote PC name or IP address.
4. Add the Windows account or enter its credentials when prompted.
5. Open the saved PC entry to start the session.

How to Configure Remote Desktop Connection Options

Before selecting Connect, click Show Options in Remote Desktop Connection. The additional tabs let you control the display, local devices, audio, performance, and authentication behavior.

Use Multiple Monitors

1. Open mstsc.
2. Select Show Options.
3. Open the Display tab.
4. Enable Use all my monitors for the remote session.
5. Return to the General tab and connect.

Redirect Local Drives or USB Storage

1. Open the Local Resources tab.
2. Under Local devices and resources, select More.
3. Choose the drives or supported devices you want available remotely.
4. Connect and open File Explorer in the remote session.

How to Use Remote Desktop Over the Internet Safely

A local RDP connection works because both devices can reach each other directly. Connecting from outside the home or office network requires a secure path into that network.

If Port Forwarding Is Unavoidable

• Keep Windows fully updated and do not use an unsupported Windows release.
• Keep Network Level Authentication enabled.
• Use long, unique passwords and disable unused accounts.
• Restrict the firewall rule to known source IP addresses when possible.
• Use a non-administrator account for routine remote work.
• Review failed sign-in events and disable access when it is no longer required.
• Prefer a gateway or VPN that supports multifactor authentication.

How to Secure Windows Remote Desktop

RDP is an administrative access path to a full Windows desktop, so it should be protected as carefully as local sign-in. Use several layers of defense rather than relying on a password alone.

Disconnect Versus Sign Out

Disconnecting closes the client window but leaves programs running in the remote session. Signing out closes applications and ends the Windows user session. Use Disconnect when you plan to return, and Sign out when the work is complete.

Remote Desktop Not Working in Windows: Common Fixes

Most RDP failures are caused by an unsupported Windows edition, a sleeping computer, an incorrect address, blocked firewall traffic, missing user permission, or invalid credentials.

1. “Remote Desktop Can't Connect to the Remote Computer”

• Confirm that the remote PC is powered on and not sleeping.
• Verify that Remote Desktop is enabled in Settings → System → Remote Desktop.
• Try the remote PC's IPv4 address instead of its computer name.
• Make sure both devices are connected to the same local network, or connect to the required VPN first.
• Restart the remote PC after installing updates or changing network settings.

2. Test Whether TCP Port 3389 Is Reachable

On the client PC, open PowerShell and run:

Test-NetConnection 192.168.1.50 -Port 3389

Replace 192.168.1.50 with the remote PC name or IP address. If TcpTestSucceeded is False, check the address, firewall, VPN, router path, and whether the RDP service is listening.

3. Check the Remote Desktop Firewall Rules

Run PowerShell as administrator on the remote PC:

Get-NetFirewallRule -DisplayGroup 'Remote Desktop' |
  Select-Object DisplayName, Enabled, Profile

If the group is disabled, enable it:

Enable-NetFirewallRule -DisplayGroup 'Remote Desktop'

4. Check Whether Windows Is Listening for RDP

On the remote PC, open Command Prompt as administrator and run:

netstat -ano | findstr :3389

A listening entry indicates that the RDP service is accepting TCP connections on the default port. If no entry appears, confirm that Remote Desktop is enabled and restart the Remote Desktop Services service or reboot the PC.

5. “Your Credentials Did Not Work” or “The Logon Attempt Failed”

• Use the full account password, not the Windows Hello PIN.
• For a local account, try PC-NAME\username or .\username.
• For a Microsoft account, try the complete email address.
• Remove incorrect saved credentials from Credential Manager and reconnect.
• Make sure the account is enabled and not locked out.

6. “The Requested Session Access Is Denied”

• Add the account to Remote Desktop Users.
• Check local or domain Group Policy restrictions.
• Confirm that the account has the Allow log on through Remote Desktop Services user right.
• Remove the account from policies that deny Remote Desktop logon.

7. Network Level Authentication Error

• Update both the RDP client and the remote Windows PC.
• Verify the date and time on both devices.
• Confirm that the client supports NLA.
• For domain devices, confirm that the domain controller is reachable through the required network or VPN.
• Disable NLA only as a temporary diagnostic step on a trusted network.

8. Black Screen, Frozen Session, or Poor Performance

• Disconnect and reconnect instead of repeatedly opening new sessions.
• Restart the remote PC if the display driver or session is stuck.
• Install current graphics, network, and Windows updates.
• Open Show Options → Experience and choose a lower connection speed profile.
• Disable desktop background, animation, or unnecessary resource redirection on a slow connection.

Frequently Asked Questions About Windows Remote Desktop and RDP