Remote Desktop Connection: FAQ

How do I set up a PC for Remote Desktop Connection?

To connect to another PC, you first need to set it up so that it allows remote connections. You can only allow remote connections to PCs running certain Windows operating systems. For more info, see the “Which PCs can I connect to using Remote Desktop Connection?” question in this topic.

On the PC you plan to connect to remotely, do the following:

Open System by swiping in from the right edge of the screen, tapping Search (or if you're using a mouse, pointing to the upper-right corner of the screen, moving the mouse pointer down, and then clicking Search), entering System in the search box, tapping or clicking Settings, and then tapping or clicking System.
Tap or click Remote settings. You might be asked for an admin password or to confirm your choice.
In the System Properties dialog box, under Remote Desktop, select one of the two options. For more info about these options, see What types of Remote Desktop connections should I allow?
Tap or click Select Users, and in the Remote Desktop Users dialog box, tap or click Add.
In the Select Users or Groups dialog box, do the following:
- To select the search location, tap or click Locations, and then select the location you want to search.
- In Enter the object names to select, enter the name of the person that you want to add, and then tap or click OK. The name will be added to the list of people who can connect to this PC.

Note

You can’t connect to a PC that's asleep or hibernating, so make sure the settings for sleep and hibernation on the remote PC are set to Never (hibernation isn't available on all PCs.). For more info, see Power plans: Frequently asked questions.

When you want to connect to a remote PC, you'll need to know the full name of that PC.

Open System by swiping in from the right edge of the screen, tapping Search (or if you're using a mouse, pointing to the upper-right corner of the screen, moving the mouse pointer down, and then clicking Search), entering System in the search box, tapping or clicking Settings, and then tapping or clicking System.
The full PC name is listed under Computer name, domain, and workgroup settings.

Which PCs can I connect to using Remote Desktop Connection?

You can use a PC running any edition of Windows XP, Windows Vista, and Windows 7, or a PC running Windows 8 or Windows RT to initiate a connection. But you can only connect to PCs that are running these Windows operating systems:

Windows 8 Enterprise
Windows 8 Pro
Windows 7 Professional
Windows 7 Enterprise
Windows 7 Ultimate
Windows Vista Business
Windows Vista Ultimate
Windows Vista Enterprise
Windows XP Professional

Note

To find out how to allow remote connections on PCs running Windows XP, Windows Vista, or Windows 7, go to the Windows website.

How do I connect to a work PC?

You can connect to a work PC from another work PC or your home PC. Only one person at a time can sign in to a PC. If someone else is using the work PC, you'll automatically sign them out if you sign in. Also, Windows Firewall will automatically open the required port when you start a remote connection. If you're using another firewall, make sure the port for Remote Desktop (usually 3389) is open.

Connect a work PC to another work PC

Open Remote Desktop Connection by swiping in from the right edge of the screen, tapping Search (or if you're using a mouse, pointing to the upper-right corner of the screen, moving the mouse pointer down, and then clicking Search), entering mstsc in the search box, tapping or clicking Apps, and then tapping or clicking mstsc.
Enter the name of the work PC that you want to connect to, and then click Connect. (You can also enter the IP address instead of the PC name.)

Connect a home PC to a work PC

To connect to a work PC from a home PC, you need to connect to the corporate network. You can do this in one of two ways (if you're not sure which one to use, talk to your system admin):

Virtual Private Network (VPN). VPNs connect PCs to large networks (usually corporate) over the Internet. Ask your network admin for the name of the VPN server before you begin.
1. Open the Connect to the Internet wizard by swiping in from the right edge of the screen, tapping Search (or if you're using a mouse, pointing to the upper-right corner of the screen, moving the mouse pointer down, and then clicking Search), entering Network and Sharing Center in the search box, tapping or clicking Settings, and then tapping or clicking Network and Sharing Center. Tap or click Set up a new connection or network, and then tap or click Connect to a Workplace.
2. Follow the steps
3. Open Remote Desktop Connection by swiping in from the right edge of the screen, tapping Search (or if you're using a mouse, pointing to the upper-right corner of the screen, moving the mouse pointer down, and then clicking Search), entering mstsc in the search box, tapping or clicking Apps, and then tapping or clicking mstsc.
4. Enter the name of the work PC that you want to connect to, and then click Connect. (You can also enter the IP address instead of the PC name.)
Remote Desktop Gateway (RD Gateway) server. An RD Gateway server helps people connect to work PCs on a corporate network from any PC with an Internet connection, even if the two networks use different protocols. Note that your system admin might not allow changes to RD Gateway server settings.
1. Open Remote Desktop Connection by swiping in from the right edge of the screen, tapping Search (or if you're using a mouse, pointing to the upper-right corner of the screen, moving the mouse pointer down, and then clicking Search), entering mstsc in the search box, tapping or clicking Apps, and then tapping or clicking mstsc.
2. Tap or click Show Options, tap or click the Advanced tab, and then, under Connect from anywhere, tap or click Settings.
3. Select Use these RD Gateway server settings, and then enter the server name (ask your system admin for this info).
4. In Logon method, choose one of the following:
  - Allow me to select later. This option lets you choose how to sign in when you connect.
  - Ask for password (NTLM). This option asks you for a password when you connect.
  - Smart card. This option asks you to insert a smart card when you connect.
5. To help make your connection faster, select the Bypass RD Gateway server for local addresses check box.
  
  We recommend this option because if the gateway server is on a different network than the one you're on, you won't be able to connect to PCs on the network.
6. Tap or click OK, tap or click the General tab, enter the name of the PC that you want to connect to, and then click Connect. (You can also enter the IP address instead of the PC name.)

How do I open the Start screen and charms when I connect to a remote Windows 8 PC from a Windows 8 or Windows RT PC?

Use the connection bar that appears at the top of the screen to open the remote PC's Start screen, charms, recent apps, and to snap apps.

Connection bar in the remote PC

Why can’t I connect using Remote Desktop Connection?

Here are some possible solutions to common problems you might encounter when trying to connect to a remote PC. If these solutions don’t work, you can find more help on the Microsoft Community website.

The remote PC can’t be found. If you see this error, talk to the system admin of the remote PC to make sure you have the right PC name, and then check to see if you entered the name correctly. If you still can't connect, try entering the IP address of the remote PC instead of the PC name.
There’s a problem with the network. Make sure that:
- Your router is turned on (home networks only).
- The Ethernet cable is plugged into your network adapter (wired networks only).
- Your PC’s wireless switch is turned on (laptops on wireless networks only).
- Your network adapter is working.
If the problem keeps happening, talk to the person who set up your network.
The Remote Desktop port might be blocked by a firewall. If you're using Windows Firewall, follow these steps:
1. Open Windows Firewall by swiping in from the right edge of the screen, tapping Search (or if you're using a mouse, pointing to the upper-right corner of the screen, moving the mouse pointer down, and then clicking Search), entering firewall in the search box, tapping or clicking Settings, and then tapping or clicking Windows Firewall.
2. Tap or click Allow an app or feature through Windows Firewall.
3. Tap or click Change settings. You might be asked for an admin password or to confirm your choice.
4. Under Allowed apps and features, select Remote Desktop, and then tap or click OK.
If you're using a different firewall, make sure the port for Remote Desktop (usually 3389) is open.
Remote connections might not be set up on the remote PC. To fix this, see the "How do I set up a PC for Remote Desktop Connection?" question in this topic.
The remote PC might only allow PCs to connect that have Network Level Authentication set up For more info, see What types of Remote Desktop connections should I allow?
The remote PC might be turned off. You can’t connect to a PC that's turned off, asleep, or hibernating, so make sure the settings for sleep and hibernation on the remote PC are set to Never (hibernation isn't available on all PCs.). For more info, see Power plans: Frequently asked questions.

Why can’t I sign in to a remote PC?

If you can see the sign-in screen of the remote PC but you can't sign in, you might not have been added to the Remote Desktop Users Group or to any group with administrator rights on the remote PC. Ask your system admin to do this for you.

How do I change Remote Desktop Connection settings?

You can change different settings for your remote connection, including the size of the remote PC's desktop, the audio, and the connection speed.

Open Remote Desktop Connection by swiping in from the right edge of the screen, tapping Search (or if you're using a mouse, pointing to the upper-right corner of the screen, moving the mouse pointer down, and then clicking Search), entering mstsc in the search box, tapping or clicking Apps, and then tapping or clicking mstsc.
Enter the name of the PC you want to connect to.
Before connecting, tap or click Show Options, and then make the changes you want on the Display, Local Resources, Programs, Experience, and Advanced tabs.
If you want to save these settings for future connections, tap or click the General tab, and then tap or click Save.
Tap or click Connect.