Windows Remote Desktop allows you to connect to a computer on your network as if your were sitting directly in front of it.
Remote Desktop (RDP) lets you take complete control of the subject PC, access and transfer files and run applications.
How To Setup Microsoft Remote Desktop
You can setup Microsoft Remote Desktop on any Windows 10 Pro or Windows 11 Pro computer. It can’t be enabled on computers running the Home versions of Windows, however Home versions can connect to Pro versions running RDP.
To enable remote desktop – Go to Settings > System > Remote Desktop.
Toggle the Enable Remote Desktop switch to on.
Note The Name Of The PC
While you’re on the Remote Desktop screen make a note of the computer name. You’ll need this in order to connect to the PC later.
If you named your PC during setup (which is more common on Windows 11 computers), then it’ll probably be easy to remember. But if you didn’t it’ll have a name assigned to it by Windows. These names are often more complex. It’s important that you note the exact name as it appears.
Restart Your PC
Once RDP has been enabled I find it works better if you restart the computer. You shouldn’t have to, but sometimes the connection will fail until you’ve restarted the machine.
How To Use Windows Remote Desktop
Now that RDP has been setup on the computer that you want to access remotely, go over to any other PC on your network.
Click the Start button and type “remote desktop“. Click Remote Desktop Connection (App).
Remote Desktop Connection
Type the name of the computer that you want to connect to into the box labelled Computer and click the Connect button.
A Windows Security popup will open asking for your credentials, i.e. username and password.
The username and password to enter must be for an account on the target computer (the one you’re trying to connect to). Not the PC that you’re using right now.
Now they might be the same, you could be using the same account details to log into both machines. If that’s so, then go ahead and enter your credentials. But if they’re different, then the credentials you need to enter will be for an account that’s setup on the remote PC.
Once that’s done you can select Remember Me if you wish so that you won’t have to authenticate in the future.
After authenticating you’ll probably see a warning popup appear.
“The identity pf the remote computer cannot be verified. Do you want to connect anyway”.
Select “Don’t ask me again” and click the Yes button.
Remote desktop will connect you to the target computer.
You should be able to see the Connection Bar. It’s usually at the top of the screen but may appear at the sides.
To end the remote desktop session, click the X in the far right hand corner of the Connection Bar.
Summary.
When enabled, the Remote Desktop Protocol effectively turns the PC into a server which can accept incoming connections from other computers on the same network.
The computer that you’re connecting from then becomes a client PC which can access the remote “server” (computer) through the Remote Desktop Connection app.
You can then access, edit or transfer files and use applications on the target computer.
RDP is only available for Pro editions of Windows, however Home versions can still use the Desktop Connection app to connect to a remote PC, just not the other way round.
Related Posts
5 Steps To Setup A Home Network In Windows 10 & 11.
Access all your home computers using a network.
Google Chrome Remote Desktop
Use Chrome to access your files over the internet.
How To Start Windows In Safe Mode
If you’re having problems, try starting in Safe Mode to troubleshoot.
