How to Use Microsoft’s Remote Desktop Connection – Guide

Microsoft’s Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP) is a proprietary protocol that provides a graphical interface for a user to connect to another computer over a network connection. The user uses the RDP client software for this purpose, while the other computer must be running the RDP server software. ..

There are many clients for Microsoft Windows, Linux, Unix, macOS, iOS, Android and other operating systems. RDP servers are built into the Windows operating system; there is also an RDP server for Unix and OS X. By default, the server listens on TCP port 3389 and UDP port 3389. ..

Microsoft Remote Desktop Connection is an extension of the ITU-T T.128 Application Sharing Protocol that allows users to share applications and files between computers over a network. Microsoft makes some specifications public on its website, which can help you learn more about this protocol and how it can be used in your business.

To define Up Microsoft Remote Desktop Connection

Next, you or someone else must physically enter the PC you want to access remotely. Enable Remote Desktop on this computer by opening Settings > System > Remote Desktop. Enable the switch next to Enable Remote Desktop. Click Confirm to enable the setting. By default, the options to keep your PC enabled for connections when connected and make your PC discoverable on private networks must be enabled. To view or modify any of the options, click the appropriate Show Settings link. However, you can leave both options enabled at this point. Instead, click on the Advanced Settings link.

Require computers to use network level authentication (NLA) to connect. NLA adds tighter security for remote connections on the same network as users must be authenticated before gaining access to the remote PC. Assuming you are connecting to a computer on the same network, you can skip the External connections section. The Remote Desktop port section shows the default port to listen on and accept a remote connection. ..

By default, any user who has an administrative account on the remote PC can access it. Assuming you’re using a Microsoft account to sign in to Windows and your account has administrative rights, your best bet is to simply use that account to sign in remotely. If you want to grant remote access to a different account, return to the previous screen and click Select users who can remotely access this PC at the bottom of the screen. Click Add and enter the username for that account. Finally, make a note of the name of this computer as you will need it to log in remotely. If you want to change your computer name to something easier to remember, follow these steps. Close the Remote Desktop settings screen when done.

Connect to a remote PC from Windows

To connect to a remote PC from your current computer, open the Remote Desktop Connection tool in Windows 10 from the Windows Accessories folder in the Start menu. Click the Remote Desktop Connection entry. The process is different for older versions of the operating system. In Windows 8.1, press Win + S key to launch the search tool, type “windows remote desktop” and click on the result. In Windows 7, click the Start button, open the Accessories folder and select the Remote Desktop Connection shortcut.

In the RDC window, enter the name or IP address of the remote PC in the Computer field. Click Show Options button and enter the username of the account you will use to log in. If you want to save your credentials so you don’t have to type them every time, check the box next to Allow me to save credentials and click Connect. ..

Enter your password in the credentials window. If you want, you can check the Remember me box and not have to enter your password each time. Click OK. You may receive a message that the remote computer’s identity cannot be verified. Check the Don’t ask me again about connections to this computer box and click Yes. ..

To connect to the remote computer, click on the blue connection bar at the top of the screen. There are various options on this bar, including pinning it to the taskbar and checking the connection speed. You can also minimize the remote window to the taskbar and change its size. Finally, you can end the remote session by clicking on the red X in the upper-right corner. ..

Adjust remote desktop settings

You can save the settings for this remote session to an RDP file and copy this file to another computer to transfer these settings.

Configuring audio settings, choosing when to apply Windows key combinations, and selecting which local resources you want to use during a remote session are all available in the Local Resources section of the Experience tab. You can also manually adjust the connection speed to control performance in the Experience tab and set the default action for server authentication by clicking the Advanced tab. ..

Use Remote Desktop App for Windows 10

To use the Microsoft Remote Desktop app on Windows 10, you can install it from the Microsoft Store and launch it. Click on the Add button and select PCs to set up a connection.

To connect to a computer, enter the name of the computer you want to connect to. If you want the username and password to be prompted each time, leave the User Account field as is. Otherwise, click the + sign next to User Account and enter your username, password, and display name. You can also add a display name, which will serve as an account nickname. Click Save.

To connect to a remote PC, double-click the icon on your desktop. On the certificate screen, check the box next to “Don’t ask about this certificate again” and click Connect. You’ll see a black panel on the side of your screen with a magnifying glass icon at the top. The zoom and windowing icons will change to reflect how you’re viewing the remote PC. Click the ellipsis icon and select Disconnect to end the connection. ..

Connect to a PC from a Mac

To connect to a remote computer from a Mac, you can install the Microsoft Remote Desktop app from the Mac App Store. Launch the app and grant the necessary permissions. Click the Add PC button and enter the PC name or IP address.

If you want to use a PC name with a local domain name, enter the fully qualified domain name in the PC name field. For User Account, choose whether to keep the option set to Ask when needed, or enter your username and password at this point so you don’t have to type them each time. When finished, click Add.

To connect to a remote computer, move the cursor to the top of the screen and select the remote desktop application’s menu bar. From the Window menu, you can change the window size and close the connection.

Connect to a PC from your iPhone or iPad

You can connect to a remote PC from an iPhone or iPad by installing the Microsoft Remote Desktop app from the App Store. Launch the app and give the necessary permissions, then tap the + button and select Add PC. In the next window, enter the PC name or IP address of the computer you want to access. If you use the PC name, you will need to enter the fully qualified domain name. For an individual PC, this means adding .local to the final of your name.

Your user account is now connected to your computer. To use the features of your account, you must enter your password and store it in the same place as your username and password. You can also connect to this PC without asking me again by turning on the Don’t ask me again option.

There is a toolbar at the top of the screen with several icons. One of these icons, the magnifying glass, zooms in and out. The middle icon takes you back to the app’s main screen without closing your current session. Finally, by selecting the keyboard icon, you can pull up your device’s keyboard. ..

Connect to a PC from an Android device

To connect to a Windows PC from an Android phone or tablet, download the Microsoft Remote Desktop app from Google Play. Open the app and accept the contract. Tap the + icon to add a connection and select Add PC. If you are close to the remote PC, you can wirelessly search for it. If not, add it manually. Enter the PC name and username. Add any additional options and click Save. ..

Tap the icon to connect to that PC. Enter your password and check the box next to Store username and password and tap Connect. On the certificate verification screen, check the Never ask me again for connections to this PC box and click Connect. ..

You are now connected to the internet. The top of the screen shows a small toolbar with buttons to zoom in and out, open the device keyboard or open additional options in the side panels. From here, you can start a new connection, end the current one, switch back to home screen and switch between mouse and touch pointer. Tap the X in the upper left corner to disconnect.

Final note

Microsoft’s Remote Desktop Connection is a great way to connect to your computer from another location. This guide will show you how to use it. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to ask us. Also, please share this article with your friends so they can learn too!