Remote Desktop lets you control your computer from another device on the same network or over the internet

Remote Desktop is a Windows feature that lets you see and control your computer's screen from a different device — a laptop, tablet, or another desktop. You type commands, move the mouse, and use programs as if you were sitting at the original machine. To use it, you first turn on Remote Desktop on the computer you want to access, then connect to it from the device you're using right now.

The steps differ depending on which version of Windows you have. Windows 10 and 11 both support Remote Desktop, but Home editions have limits that Pro and higher versions do not. This guide covers the standard setup for most users.

Key Takeaways

  • Remote Desktop is built into Windows 10 Pro, Enterprise, and Education editions, and Windows 11 Pro and higher — Home editions cannot receive remote connections.
  • You turn on Remote Desktop in Settings under System, then note your computer's name so you can connect to it from another device.
  • Both computers must be on the same network, or you must set up port forwarding on your router if connecting over the internet.
  • The Remote Desktop Connection app comes built into Windows and is the standard way to connect once the feature is enabled.

Check your Windows edition first

Remote Desktop only works on certain Windows versions. If you have Windows 10 or 11 Home, you cannot turn on Remote Desktop — the feature is not available in those editions. You can check your edition by right-clicking the Start button, selecting System, and looking for "Edition" in the window that opens.

If you have Pro, Enterprise, or Education (Windows 10) or Pro and higher (Windows 11), you can proceed. If you have Home edition, Remote Desktop is not an option, and you would need to use a third-party tool instead.

Turn on Remote Desktop in Settings

Open Settings by pressing the Windows key and typing "Settings", then press Enter. In the left sidebar, click System. Scroll down and click Remote Desktop.

You will see a toggle labeled "Remote Desktop". Click it to turn it on. Windows will ask you to confirm — click Enable. A message will appear saying "Remote Desktop is now enabled on this PC." Below that, you will see your computer's name listed under "How to connect to this PC" — write this name down or take a screenshot, because you will need it to connect from another device.

Windows will also ask whether you want to allow connections only from computers running Remote Desktop with Network Level Authentication. This is a security setting. The default choice (yes) is safer, so leave it selected unless you have a specific reason to change it.

Find your computer's name

Your computer's name is what you type into the Remote Desktop Connection app on the other device. In Settings, it appears under "How to connect to this PC" on the Remote Desktop page. If you did not write it down, you can find it again by opening Settings, clicking System, and scrolling to the bottom where it says "Device name".

The name usually looks something like "DESKTOP-ABC1234" or a custom name you set when you first installed Windows. Do not confuse it with your username — they are different. Your computer name is what Remote Desktop needs.

Set up network access if connecting over the internet

If both computers are on the same home or office network, you do not need to do anything else — you can connect right away. If you want to connect from outside the network (from a coffee shop, another building, or a different internet connection), you need to set up port forwarding on your router.

Port forwarding tells your router to send Remote Desktop traffic from the internet to your computer. The steps vary by router model. Log into your router's admin page (usually 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1 in your browser), look for Port Forwarding settings, and forward port 3389 (the Remote Desktop port) to your computer's local IP address. If you are not comfortable doing this, ask your internet provider or router manufacturer for help — incorrect port forwarding can create security risks.

For most users, connecting over the internet is not necessary. If you only need Remote Desktop on your home network, skip this step.

Connect from another Windows computer

On the device you want to connect from, press the Windows key and type "Remote Desktop Connection", then press Enter. The Remote Desktop Connection window will open.

In the field labeled "Computer", type the name of the computer you want to access (the one you wrote down earlier). Click Connect. A window will ask for your username and password — use the same credentials you use to log into that computer. Click OK.

If both computers are on the same network, the connection should open in a few seconds and you will see the other computer's desktop. If you are connecting over the internet, use your public IP address or domain name instead of the computer name, and the connection may take longer.

Troubleshooting common connection problems

If the connection fails, the most common cause is that Remote Desktop is not actually turned on. Go back to the computer you want to access, open Settings, click System, and check Remote Desktop again — make sure the toggle is on and shows "Remote Desktop is now enabled on this PC".

If both computers are on the same network and you still cannot connect, check that they are on the same Wi-Fi network or both plugged into the same router with ethernet. If one is on a guest network and the other is not, they cannot see each other. Also check that Windows Firewall is not blocking the connection — in Settings, search for "Firewall", click Windows Defender Firewall, and make sure Remote Desktop is listed under "Allow an app through firewall".

If you are connecting over the internet and the connection times out, port forwarding may not be set up correctly. Log back into your router and verify that port 3389 is forwarded to the correct local IP address of your computer. You can find your computer's local IP by opening Command Prompt and typing "ipconfig" — look for "IPv4 Address" under your network adapter.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use Remote Desktop on a Mac or iPad?

Yes. Microsoft makes a Remote Desktop app for Mac and iPad that you can download from the App Store. The setup on the Windows computer is the same — you still turn on Remote Desktop in Settings. On the Mac or iPad, you open the Remote Desktop app, enter your computer's name, and connect the same way.

What if I forget my password?

You will need to reset your Windows password on the computer itself, not through Remote Desktop. If you cannot access that computer in person, you will need to use another method to reset the password — such as a password reset disk you created earlier, or a Microsoft account recovery option if you use a Microsoft account to log in.

Is Remote Desktop secure?

Remote Desktop encrypts the connection between your two computers, so your password and what you see on screen are not sent in plain text. However, if you are connecting over the internet, make sure your password is strong and consider using a VPN for extra security. Do not enable port forwarding unless you really need to connect from outside your network.

Can multiple people use Remote Desktop at the same time?

No. When you connect via Remote Desktop, you take over the screen. If someone is sitting at that computer, they will see what you are doing. Only one Remote Desktop session can be active at a time on a standard Windows installation.

Do I need to leave my computer on to use Remote Desktop?

Yes. The computer you want to access must be powered on and awake (not in sleep mode). If it goes to sleep, the connection will drop. You can change sleep settings in Settings under System > Power & battery to keep it awake longer if you need Remote Desktop access at unpredictable times.