How to enable Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP) in Windows

Remote access lets you manage a Windows PC from another device without sitting at its keyboard. On Windows 11, Remote Desktop accepts Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP) connections after it is enabled and the connecting account has permission.

The receiving PC needs Windows Pro, Enterprise, or Education, and changing its remote-access setting requires administrator privileges. Windows Home can connect to another PC but cannot host incoming Remote Desktop sessions.

Remote sign-in requires a permitted Windows account with a password; a Windows Hello PIN is tied to the local device. The receiving PC must also remain awake and reachable over the local network or a VPN.

1. Open Settings from the Start menu on the receiving PC.
2. Select System in the Settings sidebar.
3. Open Remote Desktop near the bottom of the System settings.

   Enabling Remote Desktop lets administrators and permitted users sign in over the network, potentially disconnecting the person using the PC locally. The switch also opens Windows Firewall for RDP. Access should stay on a trusted network or behind a VPN, without forwarding port 3389 from the public internet. The same Remote Desktop switch turns incoming access off again.

4. Turn on the Remote Desktop switch.
5. Select Confirm in the Enable Remote Desktop? dialog.
6. Expand the Remote Desktop card using its arrow.
7. Confirm Require devices to use Network Level Authentication to connect (Recommended) is selected.

   Network Level Authentication (NLA) requires authentication before Windows establishes the desktop session.

8. Open Remote Desktop users.

   Administrators already have access. Adding an existing standard account here permits remote sign-in without making that account an administrator.

9. Click Add… in Remote Desktop Users.
10. Enter the existing local account name under Enter the object names to select.

    From this location identifies the computer whose accounts Windows will search.

11. Click OK to add the account.
12. Click OK to close Remote Desktop Users.

    The permitted account appears in the list above the buttons.

13. Confirm Remote Desktop shows On.

    The PC name on this page identifies the receiving computer when connecting from another device. Windows enables its built-in Remote Desktop firewall rules with this setting; a separate firewall or organization policy can still block a connection.