Enabling Remote Desktop. First, we need to enable Remote Desktop and select which users have remote access to the computer. Hit Windows key + R to bring up a Run prompt, and type “sysdm.cpl.” Another way to get to the same menu is to type “This PC” in your Start menu, right click “This PC” and go to Properties. To Configure it please proceed with the following steps: - Click Windows Start in the Server and type gpedit.msc, - In the left panel, navigate to: Computer Configuration Administrative Templates Windows Components Remote Desktop Services Remote Desktop Session Host Session Time Limits.

The Windows Remote desktop can be enable with the command line such as CMD and Powershell. Here we enable remote desktop using command prompt in Windows 10. You can use this method on all Microsoft Windows server and Workstation systems.

In Microsoft Windows operating systems, you can connect to a computer running Windows from another computer running Windows that’s connected to the same network or the Internet. For example, you can use all of your work computer’s programs, files, and network resources from your home computer, and it’s just like you’re sitting in front of your computer at work.

To connect to a remote computer, that computer must be turned on; it must have a network connection, Remote Desktop must be enabled. You must have network access to the remote computer (this could be through the Internet), and you must have permission to connect. For permission to connect, you must be on the list of remote desktop users. Before you start a connection, it’s a good idea to look up the name of the computer you’re connecting to and to make sure Remote Desktop connections are allowed through its firewall.

Enable Remote Desktop using Command Line

To enable remote desktop using command line, you must have administrator permission in Windows. The command line interfaces, command prompt or Powershell, must run as administrator.

Enable remote desktop process:

1. Run Windows Command Prompt.
2. Execute registry command to enable remote desktop.
3. Enable Remote Desktop on system Firewall.
4. Test Remote Desktop Connectivity between two systems.

Windows 10 Change Remote Desktop Timeout

Let’s run the command prompt as administrator and follow the article to enable remote desktop with command line.

1. Type the below command to enable remote desktop.

The result must be the same as above screenshot. If you face any issue while running command, check the command structure and try again.

2. To disable remote desktop, just type the below command and run it.

3. Allow the Remote desktop on your Windows firewall system with netsh command.

Related: Configure Windows IP Address with Netsh

4. Now, you need to add a user account to remote desktop users group. To do this using the “net localgroup” command.

The username “Shais” has been added successfully to “Remote Desktop Users” group. You can test the remote desktop user members with below command.

That’s all you need to enable remote desktop using command line on any Windows operating systems.

If you want to do all with a graphical interface, follow the below Microsoft step by step guide to enable remote desktop.

Enable Remote Desktop Connection with GUI

To allow remote connections on the computer, you want to connect to:

1. Open System by clicking the Start button, right-clicking Computer, and then click Properties.
2. Click Remote settings.If you’re prompted for an administrator password or confirmation, type the password or provide confirmation. Under Remote Desktop, select one of the three options.
3. Click Select Users.If you’re an administrator on the computer, your current user account will automatically be added to the list of remote users, and you can skip the next two steps.
4. In the Remote Desktop Users dialog box, click Add.
5. In the Select Users or Groups dialog box, do the following:
   1. To specify the search location, click Locations, and then select the location you want to search.
   2. In entering the object names to select, type the name of the user that you want to add, and then click OK.
   3. The name will be displayed in the list of users in the Remote Desktop Users dialog box. Click OK, and then click OK again.

To look up the computer name of the remote computer:

1. On the remote computer, open System by clicking the Start button, right-clicking Computer, and then click Properties.
2. Under Computer name, domain, and workgroup settings, you can find your computer name, and it’s full computer name if your computer is on a domain.

To allow Remote Desktop connections through a Windows Firewall:

If you’re having trouble connecting, Remote Desktop connections might be getting blocked by the firewall. Here’s how to change that setting on a Windows PC. If you’re using another firewall, make sure the port for Remote Desktop (usually 3389) is open.

1. On the remote computer, click Start and select Control Panel.
2. Click System and Security.
3. Then click Allow a program through Windows Firewall under Windows Firewall.
4. And click Change settings and then check the box next to Remote Desktop.
5. Click OK to save the changes.

To set a password for your user account

Your user account must have a password before you can use Remote Desktop to connect to another computer.

1. Click Start and select Control Panel.
2. Double-click User Accounts.
3. Select Change your Windows Password under User Accounts.
4. Click Create a password for your account and follow the instructions on the screen.

To start Remote Desktop on the computer, you want to work from:

1. Open Remote Desktop Connection by clicking the Start button. In the search box, type Remote Desktop Connection, and then, in the list of results, click Remote Desktop Connection.
2. In the Computer box, type the name of the computer that you want to connect to, and then click Connect. (You can also type the IP address instead of the computer name.)

Finally, hope you can enable remote desktop using command line in your network environment.

Applies to: Windows 10, Windows 8.1, Windows Server 2019, Windows Server 2016, Windows Server 2012 R2

You can use Remote Desktop to connect to and control your PC from a remote device by using a Microsoft Remote Desktop client (available for Windows, iOS, macOS and Android). When you allow remote connections to your PC, you can use another device to connect to your PC and have access to all of your apps, files, and network resources as if you were sitting at your desk.

Note

You can use Remote Desktop to connect to Windows 10 Pro and Enterprise, Windows 8.1 and 8 Enterprise and Pro, Windows 7 Professional, Enterprise, and Ultimate, and Windows Server versions newer than Windows Server 2008. You can't connect to computers running a Home edition (like Windows 10 Home).

To connect to a remote PC, that computer must be turned on, it must have a network connection, Remote Desktop must be enabled, you must have network access to the remote computer (this could be through the Internet), and you must have permission to connect. For permission to connect, you must be on the list of users. Before you start a connection, it's a good idea to look up the name of the computer you're connecting to and to make sure Remote Desktop connections are allowed through its firewall.

Remote Access Windows 10

How to enable Remote Desktop

The simplest way to allow access to your PC from a remote device is using the Remote Desktop options under Settings. Since this functionality was added in the Windows 10 Fall Creators update (1709), a separate downloadable app is also available that provides similar functionality for earlier versions of Windows. You can also use the legacy way of enabling Remote Desktop, however this method provides less functionality and validation.

Windows 10 Fall Creator Update (1709) or later

You can configure your PC for remote access with a few easy steps.

1. On the device you want to connect to, select Start and then click the Settings icon on the left.
2. Select the System group followed by the Remote Desktop item.
3. Use the slider to enable Remote Desktop.
4. It is also recommended to keep the PC awake and discoverable to facilitate connections. Click Show settings to enable.
5. As needed, add users who can connect remotely by clicking Select users that can remotely access this PC.
   1. Members of the Administrators group automatically have access.
6. Make note of the name of this PC under How to connect to this PC. You'll need this to configure the clients.

Windows 7 and early version of Windows 10

To configure your PC for remote access, download and run the Microsoft Remote Desktop Assistant. This assistant updates your system settings to enable remote access, ensures your computer is awake for connections, and checks that your firewall allows Remote Desktop connections.

All versions of Windows (Legacy method)

To enable Remote Desktop using the legacy system properties, follow the instructions to Connect to another computer using Remote Desktop Connection.

Should I enable Remote Desktop?

Enable Remote Desktop Windows 10

If you only want to access your PC when you are physically using it, you don't need to enable Remote Desktop. Enabling Remote Desktop opens a port on your PC that is visible to your local network. You should only enable Remote Desktop in trusted networks, such as your home. You also don't want to enable Remote Desktop on any PC where access is tightly controlled.

Be aware that when you enable access to Remote Desktop, you are granting anyone in the Administrators group, as well as any additional users you select, the ability to remotely access their accounts on the computer.

You should ensure that every account that has access to your PC is configured with a strong password.

Windows 10 Configure Remote Desktop

Why allow connections only with Network Level Authentication?

Windows 10 Configure Remote Desktop Connection

If you want to restrict who can access your PC, choose to allow access only with Network Level Authentication (NLA). When you enable this option, users have to authenticate themselves to the network before they can connect to your PC. Allowing connections only from computers running Remote Desktop with NLA is a more secure authentication method that can help protect your computer from malicious users and software. To learn more about NLA and Remote Desktop, check out Configure NLA for RDS Connections.

Windows 10 Change Remote Desktop Name

If you're remotely connecting to a PC on your home network from outside of that network, don't select this option.