What RDP is and how to use it

Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP) lets you control a computer from another device as if you were sitting at its keyboard. You see the screen, move the mouse, and type — but you're doing it from somewhere else. Windows computers have RDP built in. To connect, you need the remote computer's address, a username and password that work on that computer, and the right permissions turned on.

RDP is commonly used by IT staff to fix problems on other machines, by people working from home to access their office computer, and by system administrators to manage servers. The connection is encrypted, so your keystrokes and screen data are scrambled in transit.

Key Takeaways

  • RDP is built into Windows Pro, Enterprise, and Server editions, but not Windows Home — check your Windows version first.
  • The computer you want to connect to must have Remote Desktop turned on in Settings, and you must know a valid username and password for that computer.
  • You need the remote computer's IP address or hostname, which you can find in Settings or by asking the computer's owner.
  • On the connecting computer, open Remote Desktop Connection (built into Windows) or download the Microsoft Remote Desktop app from the Store.
  • If you cannot connect, the most common causes are Remote Desktop not enabled on the remote computer, a firewall blocking the connection, or an incorrect IP address.

Check your Windows edition first

RDP is not available on Windows Home. If you are running Windows 10 Home or Windows 11 Home, you cannot use the built-in Remote Desktop feature to connect to another computer. You can still receive a connection from someone else if they have the right software, but you cannot initiate one yourself.

To check your Windows version, press the Windows key and type "winver", then press Enter. Look for the Edition line. If it says Home, you have two options: upgrade to Windows Pro, or use a third-party tool like Chrome Remote Desktop (which works on Home editions) or TeamViewer.

Turn on Remote Desktop on the computer you want to connect to

The computer you are connecting to must have Remote Desktop enabled. This is a one-time setup. Open Settings, then go to System > Remote Desktop. Toggle the switch to On. Windows will ask you to confirm — select Confirm.

After you turn it on, Windows shows you the computer name at the bottom of that same screen. Write this down or take a screenshot — you will need it to connect. If you do not see a computer name listed, restart the computer and check again.

You also need to know a username and password that works on that computer. This is the same username and password you use to log in to that machine. If the computer uses Windows Hello or a PIN instead of a password, you will need to set up a traditional password first. Go to Settings > Accounts > Sign-in options and add a password under Password.

Find the IP address or hostname of the remote computer

You have two ways to identify the remote computer: by its hostname (the computer name) or by its IP address. The hostname is easier to remember but only works on the same network. The IP address works from anywhere but is harder to type.

To find the hostname, open Settings on the remote computer, go to System > About, and look for Device name. To find the IP address, open Command Prompt (press Windows key, type "cmd", press Enter), type "ipconfig", and press Enter. Look for the line that says IPv4 Address — that is the number you need, usually something like 192.168.1.100.

If the remote computer is on a different network (not your home or office network), you will need its public IP address, which is different from the local one. Ask the computer's owner or administrator for this. You may also need to set up port forwarding on the router, which is more complex — if this applies to you, contact the network administrator.

Open Remote Desktop Connection and enter the address

On the computer you are connecting from, press the Windows key, type "Remote Desktop Connection", and press Enter. A window opens with a field labeled Computer. Type the hostname or IP address of the remote computer and click Connect.

Windows asks for a username and password. Enter the credentials for an account on the remote computer — not your Microsoft account, but a local user account on that machine. If you are not sure which account to use, ask the computer's owner. Click OK.

If you see a certificate warning, click Yes to proceed. This is normal the first time you connect to a computer.

Troubleshoot if the connection fails

If you see "Remote Desktop cannot find the computer", the address is wrong or the remote computer is off. Double-check the IP address or hostname. Make sure the remote computer is powered on and connected to the network.

If you see "The remote computer requires Network Level Authentication", the remote computer has a security setting turned on that your account does not meet. Ask the computer's owner to disable Network Level Authentication in Remote Desktop settings, or use an account that has administrator rights on that computer.

If the connection times out or hangs, a firewall is probably blocking it. RDP uses port 3389. If the remote computer is behind a corporate firewall or router, ask the network administrator to open that port. If it is your own network, check Windows Defender Firewall on the remote computer: go to Settings > Privacy & Security > Windows Defender Firewall > Allow an app through firewall, and make sure Remote Desktop is checked for both Private and Public networks.

If you can connect but the screen is slow or laggy, try lowering the display quality. In Remote Desktop Connection, click Show Options, go to the Display tab, and move the slider to a lower resolution or color depth.

Use Microsoft Remote Desktop app for more features

The built-in Remote Desktop Connection works for basic connections, but the Microsoft Remote Desktop app (available free from the Microsoft Store) offers more control. You can save multiple connections, adjust settings per connection, and use it on tablets or phones to connect to a Windows computer.

Open the Microsoft Store, search for "Remote Desktop", and install the app published by Microsoft Corporation. Launch it, click Add, and enter the PC name (hostname or IP address). You can save your username and password so you do not have to type them each time. Click Save, then double-click the connection to open it.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use RDP to connect to a Mac or Linux computer?

Not directly — RDP is a Windows protocol. However, you can install RDP server software on Mac or Linux, or use a cross-platform tool like Chrome Remote Desktop or TeamViewer instead. Ask the computer's owner what software is installed.

Is RDP secure enough to use over the internet?

RDP encrypts your connection, but it is not designed for untrusted networks. If you must use it over the internet, set up a VPN first so the connection is doubly encrypted. Many organizations require this for security reasons.

What if I forget the password for the remote computer?

You cannot reset it through RDP. You need physical access to the computer or administrator help. If you own the computer, you can reset the password by logging in locally or using password recovery tools, but this is complex. Contact the computer's owner or administrator.

Can multiple people connect to the same computer at the same time?

Only one person can use the keyboard and mouse at a time. If two people connect simultaneously, the second connection takes over the screen and the first person is disconnected. Some versions of Windows Server allow multiple simultaneous sessions, but standard Windows does not.

Why does my connection keep dropping?

Network interruptions, idle timeouts, or sleep settings on the remote computer can cause this. Make sure the remote computer is set to never sleep while plugged in (Settings > System > Power & sleep). If the network is unstable, the connection will drop — try connecting again or use a wired connection instead of Wi-Fi.