How to Use Microsoft’s Remote Desktop Connection – Guide
The Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP) is a proprietary protocol developed by Microsoft that provides a graphical interface for a user to connect to another computer over a network connection. The user uses the RDP client software for this purpose, while the other computer must be running the RDP server software. There are clients for most versions of Microsoft Windows (including Windows Mobile), Linux, Unix, macOS, iOS, Android and other operating systems. RDP servers are built into the Windows operating system; There is also an RDP server for Unix and OS X. By default, the server listens on TCP port 3389 and UDP port 3389. Microsoft currently refers to its official RDP client software as Remote Desktop Connection, formerly “Terminal Services Client”. The protocol is an extension of the ITU-T T.128 Application Sharing Protocol. Microsoft makes some specifications public on its website.
To define Up Microsoft Remote Desktop Connection
First, you or someone else must physically enter the PC you want to access remotely. Enable Remote Desktop on this computer by opening Settings > System > Remote Desktop. Enable the switch next to Enable Remote Desktop. Click Confirm to enable the setting. By default, the options to keep your PC enabled for connections when connected and make your PC discoverable on private networks must be enabled. To view or modify any of the options, click the appropriate Show Settings link. However, you can leave both options enabled at this point. Instead, click on the Advanced Settings link. Check the box next to Require computers to use network level authentication (NLA) to connect. NLA adds tighter security for remote connections on the same network as users must be authenticated before gaining access to the remote PC. Assuming you are connecting to a computer on the same network, you can skip the External connections section. The Remote Desktop port section shows the default port to listen on and accept a remote connection. By default, any user who has an administrative account on the remote PC can access it. Assuming you’re using a Microsoft account to sign in to Windows and your account has administrative rights, your best bet is to simply use that account to sign in remotely. If you want to grant remote access to a different account, return to the previous screen and click Select users who can remotely access this PC at the bottom of the screen. Click Add and enter the username for that account. Finally, make a note of the name of this computer as you will need it to log in remotely. If you want to change your computer name to something easier to remember, follow these steps. Close the Remote Desktop settings screen when done.
Connect to a remote PC from Windows
Now let’s say you want to connect to this remote PC from your current computer at home. You can launch the Remote Desktop Connection tool in Windows 10 from the Windows Accessories folder in the Start menu. Click the Remote Desktop Connection entry. The process is different for older versions of the operating system. In Windows 8.1, press Win + S key to launch the search tool, type “windows remote desktop” and click on the result. In Windows 7, click the Start button, open the Accessories folder and select the Remote Desktop Connection shortcut. In the RDC window, enter the name or IP address of the remote PC in the Computer field. Click Show Options button and enter the username of the account you will use to log in. If you want to save your credentials so you don’t have to type them every time, check the box next to Allow me to save credentials and click Connect. Enter your password in the credentials window. Check the Remember me box if you don’t want to enter your password each time you use this account. Click OK. You may receive a message that the remote computer’s identity cannot be verified. Check the Don’t ask me again about connections to this computer box and click Yes. You must now connect to the remote computer so that you can run applications, work with files, and perform other tasks. At the top of the screen is a blue connection bar with various options. You can pin the bar in place and check the connection speed with the icons on the left. The ones on the right allow you to minimize the remote window to the taskbar, change the size of the window, and end the remote session.
Adjust remote desktop settings
In the Remote Desktop Connection configuration screen, you can adjust various settings of the tool. On the General tab, you can save the settings for this remote session to an RDP file and copy this file to another computer to transfer these settings. The View tab allows you to change the size and color depth of the remote window. Under Local Resources, you can configure audio settings, choose when to apply Windows key combinations, and select which local resources you want to use during a remote session. You can also manually adjust the connection speed to control performance in the Experience tab and set the default action for server authentication by clicking the Advanced tab.
Use Remote Desktop App for Windows 10
As an alternative to the built-in Remote Desktop Connection tool, you can use the Microsoft Remote Desktop app on Windows 10. Install the app from the Microsoft Store and launch it. Click on the Add button button and select PCs to set up a connection. Enter the name of the computer you want to connect to. If you want the username and password to be prompted each time, leave the User Account field as is. Otherwise, click the + sign next to User Account and enter your username, password, and display name. You can also add a display name, which will serve as an account nickname. Click Save. Double-click the remote PC icon to connect to it. On the certificate screen, check the box next to Don’t ask about this certificate again and click Connect. You are now connected to the remote PC. Instead of a blue bar at the top of the screen, the Remote Desktop app uses a black panel on the side of the screen. The magnifying glass icon at the top zooms in and out, while the ellipsis icon toggles between full screen and windowed mode. Click the ellipsis icon and select Disconnect to end the connection.
Connect to a PC from a Mac
You can connect to a remote computer from a Mac if you install the Microsoft Remote Desktop app from the Mac App Store. Launch the app and grant the necessary permissions. Click the Add PC button and enter the PC name or IP address. If you enter the PC name, you will need to enter the fully qualified domain name. In the case of a single PC, add .local to the final name, as in WINPC.local. For User Account, choose whether to keep the option set to Ask when needed, or enter your username and password at this point so you don’t have to type them each time. When finished, click Add. Click on the remote computer icon to connect. Move the cursor to the top of the screen to display the remote desktop application’s menu bar. From the Window menu, you can change the window size and close the connection.
Connect to a PC from your iPhone or iPad
You can connect to a remote PC from an iPhone or iPad by installing the Microsoft Remote Desktop app from the App Store. Launch the app and give the necessary permissions, then tap the + button and select Add PC. In the next window, enter the PC name or IP address of the computer you want to access. If you use the PC name, you will need to enter the fully qualified domain name. For an individual PC, this means adding .local to the final of your name. Enter your user account. Under General, you can create a friendly name for the connection and enable other settings. Tap Save and select the desktop icon to connect to the computer. On the Credentials screen, enter your password and enable the switch next to Store username and password if you don’t want to type them all the time. Tap Done. In the authentication window, enable the Don’t ask me again option to connect to this PC. Tap Accept and you’re signed in. There should be a small toolbar with several icons at the top of the screen. Tap the magnifying glass to zoom in and out. The middle icon takes you back to the app’s main screen without closing your current session. Select keyboard icon to pull up device keyboard.
Connect to a PC from an Android device
Connect to a Windows PC from an Android phone or tablet by downloading the Microsoft Remote Desktop app from Google Play. Open the app and accept the contract. Tap the + icon to add a connection and select Add PC. If you are close to the remote PC, you can wirelessly search for it. If not, add it manually. Enter the PC name and username. Add any additional options and click Save. Tap the icon to connect to that PC. Enter your password and check the box next to Store username and password and tap Connect. On the certificate verification screen, check the Never ask me again for connections to this PC box and click Connect. You are now connected. At the top of the screen there is a small toolbar with buttons to zoom in and out, open the device keyboard or open additional options in the side panels. From here, you can start a new connection, end the current one, switch back to home screen and switch between mouse and touch pointer. Tap the X in the upper left corner to disconnect.
Final note
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