How to connect to RDP on Windows

Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP) is commonly used for remote system administration and troubleshooting on Windows machines, allowing control over a network connection with minimal latency. It provides a graphical interface that replicates the user experience of sitting in front of the remote system.

A system that supports RDP must run Windows 10 Pro, Enterprise, or another edition that includes this feature. It also requires enabling traffic through port 3389, and might need additional configurations, such as VPN or port forwarding, for internet-based connections.

Security measures for RDP include strong authentication, accurate firewall rules, and reliable encryption. These settings help mitigate risks and ensure a stable, protected remote session.

1. Enable Remote Desktop on the target machine.

   Ensure that the target machine runs Windows 10 Pro, Windows 10 Enterprise, or an equivalent edition that supports RDP.

2. Open the Settings menu on the remote machine.

       Press Windows + I

3. Select System and choose the Remote Desktop section.

   Use the search bar in Settings if needed to find Remote Desktop options quickly.

4. Toggle the Remote Desktop option to enable it.
5. Confirm that the user account is permitted for remote access by verifying membership in the Remote Desktop Users group.
6. Verify that port 3389 is allowed through the Windows Defender Firewall.

       Check inbound rules in Windows Defender Firewall

   If necessary, add an inbound rule for port 3389 manually to allow RDP traffic.

7. Obtain the remote machine's IP address.

       ipconfig
       Ethernet adapter Ethernet: 
          IPv4 Address. . . . . . . : 192.168.1.100

8. Set up port forwarding on the router if internet-based access is required.

   This step is not necessary for local network connections.

9. Open the Remote Desktop Connection app on the local machine.

   Press Windows + R, type mstsc, and press Enter to launch the app.

10. Enter the IP address of the remote machine.
11. Provide the login credentials of an authorized account.
12. Accept the security certificate if prompted.

    Select Yes to proceed if you trust the certificate.

13. Control the remote machine through the RDP session.

    To improve performance, adjust settings under Show Options in the RDP client.

14. Log off when finished to secure the session and free system resources.