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How to Enable and Use Remote Desktop for Windows 10
By Brian Burgess Last Updated on July 20, 2021
Remote Desktop Protocol [RDP] has been a feature of Windows since the XP Pro days. Heres a look at using it in Windows 10 with the Remote Desktop app.
Remote Desktop Protocol [RDP] has been a feature of Windows since the XP Pro days. It makes it easy to connect from one PC or device to another to retrieve files or provide PC support.
There are several free utilities out there that will get you set up with a remote connection. Some that come to mind are services such as join.me, TeamViewer, and Chrome Remote Desktop and are especially handy when connecting between different platforms. But if youre in a pure Windows environment, heres a look at how to enable the built-in RDP utility in Windows 10, which will allow you to connect to your Windows box remotely.
Enable Remote Desktop for Windows 10 Pro
The Remote Desktop or RDP feature is disabled by default, so you will need to enable it in the settings. There are several ways to do this; lets review the easiest.
- Open Settings
- Click System > Remote Desktop
- Click the toggle Enable Remote Desktop
- Click Confirm when prompted.
Expert Note:
You can also enable Remote Desktop using the System Properties. Press the Windows Key and Type: advanced system. Click View advanced system settings.
Click the Remote tab and select Allow remote connections to this computer. Keep the box checked for Network Level Authentication for better security. Also, note that you will need to enable incoming remote connections on the PC youre connecting.
Remote Into Your PC
You have a couple of choices when it comes to how you remotely connect to the other computer. You can use the traditional desktop app or the Remote Desktop universal app. For this, Im connecting to my Windows Home Server on my home network. Im also going to use theapp that you can install from the Store. Its more versatile and can be used on mobile platforms, including iOS and Android.
Tip: If you have many PCs and devices on your home network, a useful free utility to use is Advanced IP Scanner.
Launch the app and type a name for the PC or device, its hostname or IP address, and select Connect.
Next, enter the username and password used for the computer youre connecting into. Also, if youre going to remote into it often, check the box to remember your credentials.
If you get the following security message, click Go ahead and Connect and check the box not to remind you again. You know what youre doing; no reason for Windows to be constantly nagging you.
There you have it. You can now start using the remote computer for configuration, remote support, or however you need to use it.
I should also mention that you can go to Settings > connection settings in the app and configure the appearance, devices and make other adjustments that work for you.
More About Remote Desktop Connections
If youre running a previous version of Windowsor looking to remote access your Windows PC from your smartphone or tablets, check out the articles linked below for more.
- How to Enable Remote Desktop in Windows 7
- Make Remote Desktop Connections Work Faster
- Enable Remote Desktop for Windows 8
- Using the Windows Phone Remote Desktop App
- Remote Desktop Into Windows from a Mobile Device 35 Comments
35 Comments
Jim Autrey
These instructions are for Windows 10 Pro. I dont think they apply to Windows 10 Home. For that, one will have to try the other options listed.Reply
Jan Bekaert
Hi Jim,
What is meant by the other options listed?
In Windows 10 Home I dont see the Remote Desktop section under System Properties [second pic in this article].
The idea is to use it on an htpc which is meant for audio streaming purposes only between a WHS2011 and the DAC. No screen, keyboard or mouse should get hooked up.
Thanks.
Best Regards,
Jan Bekaert BelgiumReply
KP
Here is the easiet fix, I have found, to run remote desktop on Windows Home 10:
1] Click on the search box, Cortana, or start search on the lower left of your desktop.
2] Type cmd
3] when the command prompt box opens, type mstsc
4] The remote desktop will open. Click show options in the bottom left corner, then click save as and save to your desktop.
Now you are all set to go, just like previous versions of Windows.Reply
Chris Bartholome
unfortunately, this is backwards to what im looking for that works the same as if i were to launch the app directly from the device that it is i want to connect to
If you could offer some insight on how to get the feature back into WinX Home, that allows you to connect to WinX Home, that would be helpful, otherwise, thanks, but no thanks.
WinX Home > WinX Pro =/= WinX Pro > WinX HomeReply
Lolo
What makes remotes desktop remote to be accessed without allowing it from serverReply
Chris Bartholome
Uh please refine your statement, this makes no senseReply
bscheibe
Windows 10 Home edition does not allow remote connections.Reply
Geopge Robbins
Not sure WHAT Windows OS this is for but certainly NOT Windows 10 PRO. I HAVE an up to date 10 PRO and close, BUT THESE INSTRUTIONS are NOT Windows 10 PRO up to date version. The Microsoft approach to this is cumbersome, difficult to do, as usual. I was hoping this article would make it easier as I bought 10 PRO JUST FOR THIS. What a disappointment.Reply
Jim Autrey
Heres the excerpt I was referring to:
There are several free utilities out there that will get you set up with a remote connection. Some that come to mind are join.me, TeamViewer, and Chrome Remote Desktop and are especially handy when connecting between different platforms.Reply
James
Window 10 doesnt come with remote connection< you have to get Windows 10 pro upgrade for an extra 99.00arggggggReply
derrick
How many remote connections can a Windows 10 computer handle at once?Reply
Chris Bartholome
its a one at a time deal. The fact that Microsoft left out such a vital part of Windows in the Home edition is sad and overall pathetic. If this feature was standard throughout all the Windows Editions, and then suddenly its taken away, like what? seriously? Im not allowed to RDC to my laptop anymore?!
Microsoft should really reconsider this decision, i havent been so thoroughly ticked off in a while with Winx but that was remedied with this discovery. I thought it was a Feature that needed to be manually installed for the WinX Home users, but nope, if you have WinX Home, only YOU can connect to other computers via RDP, as long as they have any prior Windows, or WinX Pro.
As a loyalist users of Windows, i expect better from Microsoft, but after seeing recent traits, im beginning to doubt the company, especially their feature department.Reply
Twobob
Hi MS dont care. The vision is reduced functionality that meets the needs of the masses financially aces great technology that meets the needs of everyone but has a higher maintenance, development and support cost.
After lots of time to do the math, They just dont care about the annoying power user corner cases anymore.
They stopped focusing on making the OS best in class long ago.
Numbers = driver, so complain all you want. It really wont matterReply
Dar
I too am just realizing that this feature is missing from my Windows 10 Dell PC. Very frustrating.Reply
Donna Ehler
Read KP May 11, 2016 at 10:12 am # comment on HOW to find the connection for windows 10 HOME. It did it just as it was stated and it works great.
KP May 11, 2016 at 10:12 am #
Here is the easiet fix, I have found, to run remote desktop on Windows Home 10:
1] Click on the search box, Cortana, or start search on the lower left of your desktop.
2] Type cmd
3] when the command prompt box opens, type mstsc
4] The remote desktop will open. Click show options in the bottom left corner, then click save as and save to your desktop.
Now you are all set to go, just like previous versions of Windows.
THANK YOU KP for this sure appreciate it.
GrammeReply
Chris Bartholome
unfortunately, this is backwards to what im looking for that works the same as if i were to launch the app directly from the device that it is i want to connect to
If you could offer some insight on how to get the feature back into WinX Home, that allows you to connect to WinX Home, that would be helpful, otherwise, thanks, but no thanks.
WinX Home > WinX Pro =/= WinX Pro > WinX Home
Also what a majority of our complaints are about.Reply
Musaddique Ali
I use Windows 10 Pro but I still prefer TeamViewer for remote access. Because its user friendly and doesnt require so much configuration than that required by Remote Desktop.Reply
matt
Out of all the suggestions this one worked! This Teamviewer app works great on my Windows phone and PC. Microsoft should buy them outReply
Kailash
ThnaksReply
Adam Senour
One thing that Id like to add to this article: if youre using Windows 10 Pro and a non-standard RDP port, you may need to add in a rule within Windows Firewall with Advanced Security to open your custom RDP port. This is the one additional step that I needed to take.Reply
Chris Bartholome
Its easier to Port Forward it in the Router, i havent had a single problem connecting out on a different port, and windows by default leaves that default port open for secure connections. All you have to do is port forward from the custom port to the default port on that machines IP in your port forwarding on your router and boom, connected via new port.Reply
Satya Nemana
TeamViewer.com works, but Microsoft should support by default even in Non-Pro Windows upgrades. RDP is a basic fundamental feature, that we got used in previous non-pro versions. If we keep losing such precious features, we have to move away from Windows. Microsoft should seriously reconsider. Is there a plan in future? When can we expect this from Microsoft in Non-Pro windows upgrades?Reply
Steve Krause
Agreed. Its very odd Microsoft will not add RDP Host support in the Windows 10 home edition. Perhaps the design is for home users to leverage remote assistance Personally, I use TeamViewer for any Home Desktop support [TBH]Reply
Prasanta Shee
The above steps are too tech savvy and complicated. Instead, I would recommend use of remote support tools like R-HUB remote support servers, logmein, teamviewer etc. for establishing remote desktop connection and successfully accessing Windows 10 computers.Reply
Twobob
Click a thing. Put a u/n P/w in? Tech Savvy?
Intentionally crippled perhaps, tech savvy it is notReply
Alan Kmiecik
would not say it is too tech savvy, its kinda the level you need to understand to get it done.
I would like to understand how the name is resolved. I get how DNS works for websites but, every time I try Microsoft remote desktop, the remote computer name is not found.
How is it suppose to be found? Does MS keep a special DNS like thing that matches the computer name with where is it?Reply
Ruby
So to clarify. For Windows 10 Home, you can use your computer that has this operating system to remote access other devices. But, if you want to use your tablet/phone to remote access your computer that has the windows 10 home, youre out of luck unless you put a program on your computer such as teamviewer?Reply
Ruby
Alright, to save everyone time, I went ahead and downloaded Chrome Desktop Remote app, and it works from computer to computer but for some reason my android was unable to even detect my computer. So, I tried TeamViewer, and it worked beautifully for computer to computer, and android to computer, and it was very easy to set up and use.
Unfortunately, after all said and done Remote Accessing your computer to play pc game on android such as DreamFall. DOES NOT WORK. Dont waste your time if this is the reason why you are trying Remote access. lol
It was a long shot.
If someone figured out how to come out with a Remote Access app that allows you to access your PC games from your phone without using complicated emulators such as Limbo, downloading this [Streaming/Cloud PC emulators] and that They sure will have it made. Hint Hint.
After all, who wouldnt want to be able to play and save space on their phones???Reply
Frank
And I like use Remote Desktop like LiteManager for free administration.Reply
Pearl
You may use R-HUB remote desktop server for setting up remote connection to PC. It works on all platforms viz. Windows, Mac, iOS and Android. It is in-house, secure and supports unlimited users.Reply
Chris
does this only work within your own home network? If you are outside and on your laptop trying to remote into your desktop dont you need other credentials than the ip address of the computer you are trying to connect to? The public ip of the carrier or something else? I tried this and had no luck, it seems to simple from outside your home network. ThanksReply
Steve Krause
Correct. RDP is primarily used only to connect to computers on your local network. If you want to connect to a system on another network [Perhaps from home to work or vice-versa], we suggest you use Teamviewer. Its free and simple to use. At the top of the article we link to the groovyPost article on how to use it.Reply
Laurence
Ah thanks for the info, but what a pain. Surely theres some workaround for this? Perplexing limitation from Microsoft I mean why have the iOS and Android apps if cant use it when mobile?Reply
George Robbins
I am a Senior and handicapped. I have a HP Desktop with Windows 7, a DELL Laptop but it is a Dell Precision M6800 Laptop, Windows 10 PRO that weights a TON. I now need TO OPERATE it FROM BED mostly. My thoughts were to get a Inspiron 11 3000 Laptop with PRO then I could REMOTE in to my Dell 6800 [with PRO] and my HP with Windows 7. But the Inspiron 11 3000 Laptop normally doesnt have PRO on them. Is my only option to:
Get a Inspiron 11 3000 Laptop at a reasonable price with HOME and a third party REMOTE ACCESS software?Reply
Denis
There is some problem with compatible between XP and Win 10, I use LiteManager for remote desktop connectionsReply
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