Remote Desktop Connection (RDC) - Network

How to Enable Windows to Make and Accept a Remote Desktop Connection​

   Information

This tutorial will show you how to enable Remote Desktop Connection, and to connect remotely in Vista, Windows 7, and Windows 8.

   Warning

While all editions of Vista, Windows 7, and Windows 8 can be a remote desktop client...

• Only the Vista Business, Ultimate, and Enterprise editions can host a remote desktop connection.
• Only the Windows 7 Professional, Ultimate, and Enterprise editions can host a remote desktop connection.
• Only the Windows 8 Pro and Enterprise editions can host a remote desktop connection.

FIRST

To Enable Remote Connection

1. Go to Control Panel>System>Advanced System Settings

2. Go to Remote tab.

3. Under Remote Assistance, put a check mark on Allow Remote Assistance connections to this computer.
Note: This automatically adds Remote Desktop exception to Windows Firewall.

4. Click on Apply.

OPTION ONE

To Connect to a Remote Desktop (Local Area Connectivity)

1. Go to Start>All Programs>Accessories>Remote Desktop Connection
NOTE: You could also press the Windows + R keys to open the Run dialog, type mstsc.exe, and press Enter.

2. Enter the Computer Name or IP address of the computer you wish to connect to.

3. For more connection options, click on Options
NOTE: Here you can save the connection profile, adjust display properties, run specified programs upon connection, adjust connection bandwidth, etc. For more information on specific tabs, click on Help.

4. Click on Connect.

5. Enter your log in credentials of a user account on the remote computer that is allowed to do a remote desktop connection.

OPTION TWO

Enable Windows to Accept Remote Desktop Connection (Local Area Connectivity)

1. Go to Control Panel>System>Advanced System Settings

2. Go to Remote tab.

3. Under Remote Assistance, put a check mark on Allow Remote Assistance connections to this computer
Note: This automatically adds Remote Desktop exception in Windows Firewall.

4. Click on Advanced...

5. Put a check mark on Allow this computer to be controlled remotely.

6. Click on OK.
Note: This automatically adds Remote Assistance exception in Windows Firewall.

7. Remote Desktop Connection behind a router (Single computer)
A) Configure your router's port forwarding to allow connections on port 3389
B) Now in RDC just type the IP address supplied by your ISP
8. Remote Desktop Connection behind a router (Multiple computers)
A) For each computer you want to remotely connect to you have to configure each computer to listen to different ports to avoid port conflicts by changing the registry key in:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\System\CurrentControlSet\Control\Terminal Server\WinStations\RDP-Tcp\PortNumber

B) Port Numbers are in Decimal format
Note: To avoid conflict with other programs it is suggested to select a port between 49152 and 65535.

C) Now take that number you've chosen your computer to listen to and configure your router to port forward to that number

D) To connect to that computer your format will now be ISPIPAddressortNumber (ex. 222.222.2.8:1234) to connect to that specific computer behind the router
Important: If you have a firewall software running, that too has to be configured to allow communication to the port you opened in your router as well.

Note: The above steps assumes that you're not part of a domain.

Related Tutorials

---

• Windows 7: RDP changes improve virtual desktop performance
• How to Create a Windows 7 Remote System Properties Shortcut
• How to Create a Windows 7 RemoteApp and Desktop Connections Shortcut
• How to Set Time Limit for Active Remote Desktop Sessions
• How to Set Time Limit for Idle Remote Desktop Sessions
• How to Terminate Remote Desktop Session when Active or Idle Time Limits are Reached
• How to Turn On or Off Automatic Log On for a Remote Desktop Connection
• Allow or Prevent Remote Desktop Connection Clients to Automatically Log On to Host Computer
• How to Create a "Remote Desktop Connection" Shortcut to a Specific Computer
• How to Create a "Remote Shutdown Dialog" Shortcut
• How to Reset and Clear Remote Desktop Connection History in Windows 7 and Windows 8
• How to Delete Credentials of a Remote Desktop Connection in Windows 7 and Windows 8

 

[ukandrew]

I have Win 7 Ultimate 32bit on two machines, a laptop and a desktop with two monitors. I have no problem connecting to either machine from the other but on the desktop I can't move the session over to the second monitor. This is the only app that has this issue.
Is there something special about RDC that stops it being moved to the other screen?

 

[metalmania31]

I have Win 7 Ultimate 32bit on two machines, a laptop and a desktop with two monitors. I have no problem connecting to either machine from the other but on the desktop I can't move the session over to the second monitor. This is the only app that has this issue.
Is there something special about RDC that stops it being moved to the other screen?

Use the restore down button and you should be able to move it to the other screen.

 

[ukandrew]

Thanks - that worked

 

[Atom]

I am trying to set up RDC so I can access two different computers from outside my home network. When I go through the step of changing the port assignment in the registry to something other than 3389, the RDC no longer works. As long as I use port 3389 I have no trouble using RDC inside or outside of my home network. I am restarting after the registry change. I've also tried adding new rules to the firewall redirect the port, but no luck.

Update: I finally found another port what would work by changing the registry value. Then I had to turn off Windows Firewall for it to connect on that port. I can't seem to create a rule which will allow RDC to work with the firewall on.

 

[Jonathan_King]

Hi Atom,

Try creating a rule in Window Firewall to allow c:\windows\system32\mstsc.exe, in addition to the port.

 

[Atom]

In order to get it to work, I had to apply the patch I found here:
http://www.sevenforums.com/network-sharing/160099-log-into-multiple-rdp-sessions-without-interrupting-user.html

and create a new rule in Windows firewall. It won't work without the patch.

 

[Jonathan_King]

Ah, well thanks for sharing. Glad you got it working!

 

[mcgyver83]

Hi to all.
I'm able to connect to my pc via remote desktop, but when I close the Remote Desktop windows the relative user (the one I was using for the remote connection) is active but the user windows selection appears. There is a way to "relogin" the user to restore the situation as it was before the remote desktop connection? (the user normally is set to auto login at windows startup).

 

[Jonathan_King]

Hello mcyver,

I wouldn't think so.

 

[mcgyver83]

Gosh :-(

 

[foxint]

Did not work for me

Hi Guys,

Been tryign off and on for months....

I have 2 PC's in the same house with Win 7 Professional. NO Passwords - so that should make it easier... but it always asks for a user name and password.....

What ...the... are these??? Let say Old-PC and New-PC. So I want to connect New-PC to Old-PC and use one of the programmes on it....

No I do not want passwords as it makes life too hard well much harder than it shoudl be... I have wasted days on this simple thing.... Can anyone help?? Can ANYONE email me the instructions with screen shots??

Dan
Rural Australla - yes no one knows outwest.

 

[Jonathan_King]

Hello,

Passwords are necessary in order to establish a RDC connection. Set a password on the host machine, make sure RDC is enabled, and make sure no firewalls are blocking the connection.

 

[foxint]

Mate

Thanks for the reply. Now I am a little slow... but which is the Host Machine?

Dan

 

[Brink]

Hello Dan,

The host computer in a RDC would be the remote computer.

Remote Desktop Connection: frequently asked questions

Remote Desktop Connection: frequently asked questions

Hope this help,
Shawn

 

[foxint]

Thansk Mate

But how do I, and where do I put the password for the host (Old-PC)??

Since it is in my house can I avoid a password - I hve too many

Dan

 

[Brink]

Dan,

Sorry, but no. RDC requires the use of passwords.

When you get to OPTION ONE in the tutorial, you will type in the password of the host computer's user account that you logging into via RDC at step 5.

 

[foxint]

Mate

Sorry I am confused.

I have read the tut and it makes limited sense.

Do I do this on the PC I want to connect to (Old-PC) and do I do this while sitting at the Old-PC

Also it says enter the remote PC, but do not I want to se the Password on Old-PC (i.e. the one I am at)??

What is my user name? As I have mentioned, I do not use passwords on any of my home PC's - sorry for being stupid.

Dan

 

[Brink]

The Old-PC that you want to connect to via RDC must have a password for it's administrator user account.

The "First" and/or "OPTION TWO" sections in the tutorial must be done on the (Old-PC).

The "OPTION ONE" section needs to be done on the (New-PC).


While sitting at (New-PC) to connect via RDC to (Old-PC) doing "OPTION ONE", you would type in the computer-name, user-name, and password for the user account on (Old-PC).

 

[foxint]

Mate - it is not working

Option 1 at OLD-PC

Asks for

Remote PC = New-PC
Unser Name = what is this? I do not have one.

Then it says connect. But I am on Old-PC?? Should I not be on New-PC?
????????????????????????????????

Dan

 

[Brink]

Yes, you should be on New-PC.

Do "First" on Old-PC

Do "OPTION ONE" on New-PC

User name = name of your account on Old-PC