Remote Desktop Connection (RDC) is a powerful feature in Windows that allows you to connect to another computer over a network connection. This can be incredibly useful for accessing files, running applications, or troubleshooting issues on a remote machine. In this article, we will guide you through the steps to set up and use Remote Desktop Connection on a Windows environment.

Setting Up Remote Desktop on Windows

Step 1: Enable Remote Desktop on the Host Machine

1. Open System Properties:

   • Press Win + Pause/Break to open the System window.
   • Click on "Remote settings" on the left sidebar.

2. Enable Remote Desktop:

   • In the System Properties window, under the "Remote" tab, check the option "Allow remote connections to this computer."
   • Ensure that "Allow connections only from computers running Remote Desktop with Network Level Authentication (recommended)" is selected for added security.

3. Apply and Save:

   • Click "Apply" and then "OK" to save the settings.

Step 2: Configure Firewall Settings

1. Open Windows Firewall:

   • Press Win + R, type firewall.cpl, and press Enter.

2. Allow Remote Desktop Through Firewall:

   • Click on "Allow an app or feature through Windows Defender Firewall."
   • Scroll down and ensure that "Remote Desktop" is checked for both private and public networks.

Step 3: Find the IP Address of the Host Machine

1. Open Command Prompt:

   • Press Win + R, type cmd, and press Enter.

2. Get the IP Address:

   • Type ipconfig and press Enter.
   • Note down the IPv4 address of your network adapter.

Connecting to the Remote Machine

Using Remote Desktop Connection App

1. Open Remote Desktop Connection:

   • Press Win + R, type mstsc, and press Enter.

2. Enter the IP Address:

   • In the Remote Desktop Connection window, enter the IP address of the host machine in the "Computer" field.
   • Click "Connect."

3. Authenticate:

   • Enter the username and password of the host machine when prompted.
   • Click "OK" to start the remote session.

Using Command Line

1. Open Command Prompt:

   • Press Win + R, type cmd, and press Enter.

2. Execute Remote Desktop Connection:

   • Type the following command:

     mstsc /v:<IP_Address>

     Replace <IP_Address> with the actual IP address of the host machine.

   • Press Enter to initiate the connection.

Examples

Example 1: Enabling Remote Desktop via PowerShell

You can also enable Remote Desktop using PowerShell:

1. Open PowerShell as Administrator:

   • Press Win + X and select "Windows PowerShell (Admin)."

2. Run the Command:

   Set-ItemProperty -Path 'HKLM:\System\CurrentControlSet\Control\Terminal Server\' -name "fDenyTSConnections" -Value 0
   Enable-NetFirewallRule -DisplayGroup "Remote Desktop"

Example 2: Connecting to Remote Desktop via Command Line

1. Open Command Prompt:

   • Press Win + R, type cmd, and press Enter.

2. Run the Command:

   mstsc /v:192.168.1.10

   Replace 192.168.1.10 with the IP address of your remote machine.

Conclusion

Remote Desktop Connection is a valuable tool for managing and accessing remote systems. By following the steps outlined above, you can easily set up and use Remote Desktop on a Windows machine. Whether you prefer using the graphical interface or command line, Windows provides flexible options to suit your needs.