How to Enable Remote Desktop

Windows 10 and 8

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] X Research source}

2. Click the Start

   menu. It's usually at the bottom-left corner of the screen.

3. Click Settings

   . It's near the bottom of the menu.

4. Click System. It's at the top of the list.

5. Click Remote Desktop. It's near the bottom of the left panel.

   1. If you're using Windows Home edition, you'll see a message that says your edition is not supported.

6. Slide the 'Enable Remote Desktop' switch to On

   . A confirmation message will appear.^{[2] X Research source}

7. Click Confirm. Remote Desktop is now enabled on this PC.

   1. 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.
   2. Depending on how your network is set up, you may have to make changes to your firewall or router to allow incoming connections.

8. Click Advanced settings. It's at the bottom of the 'Enable Remote Desktop' section.

9. Enable or disable Network Level Authentication. The option you select depends on your network:

   1. 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.
   2. 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] X Research source}

10. Click Select users that can remotely access this PC. It's under the 'User accounts' section.

11. 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] X Research source}