How to Enable Remote Desktop
This wikiHow teaches you how to enable Remote Desktop on Windows 10 (Pro and Enterprise), Windows 8 (Pro and Enterprise), Windows 7, Windows Vista, and Windows XP, plus how to enable Remote Management for macOS. Make sure you're using a...
Method 1 of 4:
Windows 10 and 8
-
How to Enable Remote Desktop Picture 1
Make sure you're using a version of Windows that supports Remote Desktop. You cannot enable incoming Remote Desktop connections if you're using the Home edition of Windows 10. The only versions of Windows 10 that allow incoming Remote Desktop connections are the Pro and Enterprise versions.[1] -
How to Enable Remote Desktop Picture 2
Click the StartHow to Enable Remote Desktop Picture 3
-
How to Enable Remote Desktop Picture 4
Click SettingsHow to Enable Remote Desktop Picture 5
-
How to Enable Remote Desktop Picture 6
Click System. It's at the top of the list. -
How to Enable Remote Desktop Picture 7
Click Remote Desktop. It's near the bottom of the left panel.- If you're using Windows Home edition, you'll see a message that says your edition is not supported.
-
How to Enable Remote Desktop Picture 8
Slide the 'Enable Remote Desktop' switch to OnHow to Enable Remote Desktop Picture 9
-
How to Enable Remote Desktop Picture 10
Click Confirm. Remote Desktop is now enabled on this PC.- The two options below ('Keep my PC awake for connection' and 'Make my PC discoverable on private networks') are automatically selected so the PC stays ready for Remote Desktop connections. Click Show settings next to either of these options if you'd like to adjust these settings.
- Depending on how your network is set up, you may have to make changes to your firewall or router to allow incoming connections.
-
How to Enable Remote Desktop Picture 11
Click Advanced settings. It's at the bottom of the 'Enable Remote Desktop' section. -
How to Enable Remote Desktop Picture 12
Enable or disable Network Level Authentication. The option you select depends on your network:- If people will be connecting to this computer from the outside world: Remove the check mark from 'Require computers to use Network Level Authentication to connect (recommended),' and then click the back button when you're finished.
- If this PC is on a local network and users from that network will need to connect with their network accounts: Make sure there's a check mark in the box next to 'Require computers to use Network Level Authentication to connect (recommended),' and then click the back button.[3]
-
How to Enable Remote Desktop Picture 13
Click Select users that can remotely access this PC. It's under the 'User accounts' section. -
How to Enable Remote Desktop Picture 14
Add the users you want to allow to connect to the computer. Only the users you allow here will be able to access this PC via Remote Desktop. Once you've added users, they'll be able to connect to this PC via Remote Desktop.[4]
Method 2 of 4:
Windows 7 and Vista
-
How to Enable Remote Desktop Picture 15
Click the Start menu.- You must be logged in with an Administrator account to enable Remote Desktop.
-
How to Enable Remote Desktop Picture 16
Right-click on "Computer" first and select Properties. -
How to Enable Remote Desktop Picture 17
Click Remote settings. It's in the left panel. -
How to Enable Remote Desktop Picture 18
Check the box next to "Allow Remote Assistance connections to this computer." It's under "Remote Assistance."- Make sure the "Don't allow connections to this computer" radio button is not checked.
-
How to Enable Remote Desktop Picture 19
Click Apply and then OK. Leave your computer running and make sure it stays connected to the Internet. Your computer is now ready to be accessed remotely.
Method 3 of 4:
Windows XP
-
How to Enable Remote Desktop Picture 20
Click the Start menu. It's usually at the bottom-left corner of the screen. -
How to Enable Remote Desktop Picture 21
Click Control Panel. -
How to Enable Remote Desktop Picture 22
Click Performance and Maintenance. -
How to Enable Remote Desktop Picture 23
Click System. -
How to Enable Remote Desktop Picture 24
Click the Remote tab. -
How to Enable Remote Desktop Picture 25
Check the box labeled "Allow users to connect remotely to this computer." -
How to Enable Remote Desktop Picture 26
Click OK. -
How to Enable Remote Desktop Picture 27
Return to the Control Panel and select Security Center. -
How to Enable Remote Desktop Picture 28
Click Windows Firewall. -
How to Enable Remote Desktop Picture 29
Uncheck the "Don't allow exceptions" box. -
How to Enable Remote Desktop Picture 30
Click the Exceptions tab and check the "Remote desktop" box. -
How to Enable Remote Desktop Picture 31
Click OK. -
How to Enable Remote Desktop Picture 32
Leave your computer running connected to the Internet. Your computer is now ready to be accessed remotely.
Method 4 of 4:
macOS Remote Management
-
How to Enable Remote Desktop Picture 33
Click the AppleHow to Enable Remote Desktop Picture 34
- After enabling Remote Management on your Mac, you may have to adjust your firewall settings to allow incoming connections.
-
How to Enable Remote Desktop Picture 35
Click System Preferences. -
How to Enable Remote Desktop Picture 36
Click Sharing. A list of sharing types will appear on the left side of the window. -
How to Enable Remote Desktop Picture 37
Select Remote Management. Check the box next to this option to enable it. It's in the left column. -
How to Enable Remote Desktop Picture 38
Choose who can connect to your Mac remotely. Choose your desired option under 'Allow access for' on the right side of the window.- To allow anyone with an account to log in, select 'All users.'
- To only allow specific user accounts to log in remotely, select 'Only these users,' and then add each user to the list.[6]
-
How to Enable Remote Desktop Picture 39
Select a user and click Options. If you didn't add a specific user, just click Options. This opens a list of things users can do when logged in remotely. -
How to Enable Remote Desktop Picture 40
Select rights for the user(s) and click OK. The options you select depend on what you want that user to be able to do when logged in. -
How to Enable Remote Desktop Picture 41
Click Computer Settings. It's near the top-right area of the window. -
How to Enable Remote Desktop Picture 42
Choose your desired settings and click OK. Your needs will vary depending on what you want people to be able to do when signed in.- If users will connect with VNC, check the box next to 'VNC viewers may control screen with password,' and then enter a password. Make sure anyone who uses VNC to connect remotely has that password.
-
How to Enable Remote Desktop Picture 43
Allow Remote Management through your firewall. If you're using the built-in firewall on your Mac, you'll need to allow Remote Management through. Here's how:- Go back to System Preferences and click Security & Privacy.[7]
- Click the Firewall tab.
- Click Firewall Options or Advanced.
- If 'Remote Management' doesn't appear in the box with the phrase 'Allow incoming connections,' click the + to add it, and then select Allow incoming connections.[8]
5 ★ | 2 Vote
You should read it
- How to Hear Audio from the Remote PC when Using Remote Desktop
- The difference between Remote Desktop (RDP) and VPN
- How to Use Remote Desktop in Windows 7
- How to Remove Chrome Remote Desktop on Windows
- Instructions for activating and using Remote Desktop on Windows 10 computers
- Troubleshoot Remote Desktop problems
- 6 ways to disable Remote Desktop on Windows 11
- How to enable and use Remote Desktop on Windows 11
- Leaks information about Microsoft's new Remote Desktop application
- Steps to Fix the error that cannot be copied and pasted into the Remote Desktop session
- Remote Desktop controls other computers in the LAN
- 5 best remote desktop applications for Linux to access remote computers