How do you rdp

Applies to: Windows Server , Windows 10, Windows 8. 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.

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.

The simplest way to allow access to your PC from a remote device is using the Remote Desktop options under Settings. Since this functionality was added in the Windows 10 Fall Creators update , a separate downloadable app is also available that provides similar functionality for earlier versions of Windows.

You can also use the legacy way of enabling Remote Desktop, however this method provides less functionality and validation. This assistant updates your system settings to enable remote access, ensures your computer is awake for connections, and checks that your firewall allows Remote Desktop connections. To enable Remote Desktop using the legacy system properties, follow the instructions to Connect to another computer using Remote Desktop Connection.

If you only want to access your PC when you are physically using it, you don't need to enable Remote Desktop. Enabling Remote Desktop opens a port on your PC that is visible to your local network. You should only enable Remote Desktop in trusted networks, such as your home.

You also don't want to enable Remote Desktop on any PC where access is tightly controlled. Be aware that when you enable access to Remote Desktop, you are granting anyone in the Administrators group, as well as any additional users you select, the ability to remotely access their accounts on the computer. You can only establish a single connection to Windows PCs that have remote desktop enabled. This also offers increased security, replacing the need for an internal virtual private network VPN.

Thankfully, configuring Windows to enable Remote Desktop is a fairly straightforward process. Any kind of remote desktop solution opens a hole that can potentially be exploited. If you plan to use Windows Remote Desktop over the internet, you need a strategy in place to secure it. Some tips for establishing a secure RDP connection include:.

That includes older versions of Windows such as Windows 7 and 8. The interface for the Microsoft Remote Desktop app is similar to the iOS and Android clients offered by Microsoft for mobile users, so many of the steps below will be similar on those platforms. We reviewed the market for remote desktop software like RDP and analyzed the options based on the following criteria:. Some alternative free remote desktop tools , as well as paid options, use other protocols to view and control a remote PC or server.

A selection of some of the best alternative tools for remote connections on all major platforms are:. A seamless experience is what matters, and for most Windows users, using RDP with the Windows Remote Desktop Connection tool will offer the simplest and smoothest experience for remote working. Other free remote desktop tools like TeamViewer are easy to install and use, while SolarWinds Dameware is great for enterprise users, especially for multiple clients.

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