How to Enable Remote Desktop on Windows 10 / 11 (Step by Step)

How to Enable Remote Desktop on Windows 10 / 11 (Step by Step Tutorial). In this post, we will introduce Remote Desktop Service, its features, advantages. We will then show you how to enable the remote desktop on Windows machine.

Let’s start this article blog about How to Enable Remote Desktop on Windows 10 / 11 (Step by Step Tutorial).

What Is Remote Desktop Service?

Remote Desktop Service is a hypernym for features of Microsoft Windows Server. With the help of this server, users can remotely access graphical desktops and windows applications. The virtual technology service provided by this server is the ability to access external desktops, data center application, or session based desktops within a corporate based network or Internet. It also helps accelerate application and desktop deployments while allowing clients to run almost any application or operating system.

Benefits of Remote Desktop Service

With the help of Remote Desktop Service, you tend to enjoy the following benefits:

  • Helps to deliver solutions to devices that do not have the processing power or capacity to run the applications natively.
  • Data can be stored in the cloud so that if the end user device fails, is lost, or is stolen, your data will remain the same.
  • Helps deliver Windows based applications to iOS, Windows, Android, and thin client devices.
  • The time involved in configuration is significantly reduced for new devices. The application or desktop is delivered from the cloud instead of local devices. Therefore, whenever a new device is set up, you only have to reconnect to the remote apps and desktops and return to work.
  • Provides more computing resources to an application without the need to upgrade other’s devices. This way, the cost of end user devices reduces significantly.

Features of Remote Desktop Service

The features of Remote Desktop Service are:

  • File Sharing – In RDS, you can move files to and from shared machines and their client devices. This way, RDS transforms into a safe interchange system that eliminates unnecessary additional services overcomplicating a workspace.
  • Session Recording – With the help of this feature, one can record session, acquire additional security footage and improves IT practices.
  • Session Transfer – It is equal to handling a phone or tablet with someone else. Using this feature, you can simply hand sessions to others working in the same space or on the same things.
  • App Management – This feature helps you to configure and control open applications that all the users within the space use. You can orchestrate work processes, track down malicious software and assist. Also used to examine what the employees are running closely.
  • Virtualization Friendly – It works readily with virtualized instances of Windows PCs.
  • Remote Device Control – With the help of this feature, you can override endpoint devices, which is required during a crisis or technical issues.
  • Cross Platform – Everyone does not use the same PC and has the same version of Windows. And RDS is designed in a way that works with all mobile devices and across multiple versions of Windows.
  • Integrations – It allows you to integrate with other utilities like chats, diagnostics, and support systems.
  • Unattended Access – It allows administrator access to a given workstation so that users can keep an eye on things. It also immediately solves problems for users without the need for executive decisions.

How Does Remote Desktop Service Work?

Let’s understand the working of Remote Desktop Service with the help of an example. Suppose you want to connect your home laptop to an office to access files, run applications, print documents, etc., without going to the office.

With the help of Remote Desktop Service, the host device powers the software and the operating system and display it on the client’s device. It also captures mouse and keyboard inputs from the client device and sends them back to the host machine. Moreover, the tasks that include massive use of graphics require additional software for smooth and responsive performance.

Well so how to Enable Remote Desktop on Windows 10 / 11 (Step by Step Tutorial)?

How to Enable Remote Desktop on Windows 10 / 11

Prerequisites

  • A system running Windows 10 or Windows 11 operating system.
  • A user with administrative privileges.

In this post, we will show you different way to enable the remote desktop on Windows 10 and Windows 11 machines.

1. Enable Remote Desktop via Settings

Follow the steps given below to enable the remote desktop:

Step 1 – Search for Settings then open it.

Step 2 – Click on the System. You should see the following screen:

Step 3 – Click on the Remote Desktop. You should see the Remote Desktop setup screen:

Step 4 – Toggle the switch to enable the remote desktop then click on the Confirm button to appy the changes.

2. Enable Remote Desktop via Control Panel

You can also enable the Windows remote desktop to via control panel. Follow the below steps to enable the remote desktop:

Step 1 – Search for Control Panel and open it.

Step 2 – Click on the System and Security. You should see the following screen:

Step 3 – Under the “System” section, click the Allow remote access option. This will open the new Windows as shown below:

Step 4 – Under the “Remote Desktop” section, select the Allow remote connections to this computer option. Then, click on the Apply and OK button to apply the settings.

3. Enable Remote Desktop via Command Prompt

If you are familiar with Windows command prompt then you can also enable the remote desktop via simple command.

Follow the below steps to enable the remote desktop:

Step 1 – Click on the Start menu and search for command prompt.

Step 2 – Right click on the Command Prompt, and select the Run as administrator option. This will open the Windows command line interface.

Step 3 – Now, run the following command to enable the remote desktop:

				
					reg add "HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Terminal Server" /v fDenyTSConnections /t REG_DWORD /d 0 /f
				
			

Step 4 – Next, you will also need to enable Windows Firewall to allow remote desktop. You can run the following command to enable remote desktop through the Windows Firewall:

				
					netsh advfirewall firewall set rule group="remote desktop" new enable=Yes
				
			

After running the above command, you can access the Windows computer remotely from anywhere.

4. Enable Remote Desktop via PowerShell

Windows provides a PowerShell tool that allows system administrators to install and configure everything via command line. You can also enable the remote desktop via PowerShell.

Follow the below steps the enable the remote desktop via PowerShell:

Step 1 – Click on the Start menu and search for PowerShell.

Step 2 – Right click on the PowerShell, and select the Run as administrator option. This will open the Windows PowerShell interface.

Step 3 – Now, run the following command to enable the remote desktop protocol:

				
					Set-ItemProperty -Path 'HKLM:\System\CurrentControlSet\Control\Terminal Server' -name "fDenyTSConnections" -value 0
				
			

Step 4 – Next, run the following command to enable remote desktop through the Windows Firewall:

				
					Enable-NetFirewallRule -DisplayGroup "Remote Desktop"
				
			

Once you enable the remote desktop protocol, you can connect to the computer using any remote desktop client application.

This will be it for How to Enable Remote Desktop on Windows 10 / 11 (Step by Step Tutorial). We will conclude this article.

How to Enable Remote Desktop on Windows 10 / 11 Conclusion

In this tutorial, we explained different methods to enable the remote desktop protocol on Windows 10 and 11 machine. You can now choose your preferred method to connect your Windows computer from any machine using the remote desktop application. Remote desktop is very useful for system administrator to manage remote Windows machine easily over the internet.

Avatar for Hitesh Jethva
Hitesh Jethva

I am a fan of open source technology and have more than 10 years of experience working with Linux and Open Source technologies. I am one of the Linux technical writers for Cloud Infrastructure Services.

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