Export and import connections. You can export a remote desktop connection definition and use it on a different device. Remote desktops are saved in separate RDP files. To export an RDP file: In the Connection Center, right-click the remote desktop. Browse to the location where you want to save the remote desktop RDP file. In Remote Desktop Connection, type the name of the PC you want to connect to (from Step 1), and then select Connect. On your Windows, Android, or iOS device: Open the Remote Desktop app (available for free from Microsoft Store, Google Play, and the Mac App Store), and add the name of the PC that you want to connect to (from Step 1). Select the remote PC name that you added, and then wait for the connection to complete. Enable Remote Desktop. How to publish the Remote Desktop web client. To install the web client for the first time, follow these steps: On the RD Connection Broker server, obtain the certificate used for Remote Desktop connections and export it as a.cer file. Copy the.cer file from the RD Connection Broker to the server running the RD Web role.

Applies to: Windows 10, Windows 8.1, Windows Server 2019, Windows Server 2016, Windows Server 2012 R2

You can use Remote Desktop to connect to and control your PC from a remote device by using a Microsoft Remote Desktop client (available for Windows, iOS, macOS and Android). When you allow remote connections to your PC, you can use another device to connect to your PC and have access to all of your apps, files, and network resources as if you were sitting at your desk.

Note

You can use Remote Desktop to connect to Windows 10 Pro and Enterprise, Windows 8.1 and 8 Enterprise and Pro, Windows 7 Professional, Enterprise, and Ultimate, and Windows Server versions newer than Windows Server 2008. You can't connect to computers running a Home edition (like Windows 10 Home).

To connect to a remote PC, that computer must be turned on, it must have a network connection, Remote Desktop must be enabled, you must have network access to the remote computer (this could be through the Internet), and you must have permission to connect. For permission to connect, you must be on the list of users. Before you start a connection, it's a good idea to look up the name of the computer you're connecting to and to make sure Remote Desktop connections are allowed through its firewall.

How to enable Remote Desktop

The simplest way to allow access to your PC from a remote device is using the Remote Desktop options under Settings. Since this functionality was added in the Windows 10 Fall Creators update (1709), a separate downloadable app is also available that provides similar functionality for earlier versions of Windows. You can also use the legacy way of enabling Remote Desktop, however this method provides less functionality and validation.

Windows 10 Fall Creator Update (1709) or later

You can configure your PC for remote access with a few easy steps.

1. On the device you want to connect to, select Start and then click the Settings icon on the left.
2. Select the System group followed by the Remote Desktop item.
3. Use the slider to enable Remote Desktop.
4. It is also recommended to keep the PC awake and discoverable to facilitate connections. Click Show settings to enable.
5. As needed, add users who can connect remotely by clicking Select users that can remotely access this PC.
   1. Members of the Administrators group automatically have access.
6. Make note of the name of this PC under How to connect to this PC. You'll need this to configure the clients.

Windows 7 and early version of Windows 10

To configure your PC for remote access, download and run the Microsoft Remote Desktop Assistant. This assistant updates your system settings to enable remote access, ensures your computer is awake for connections, and checks that your firewall allows Remote Desktop connections.

All versions of Windows (Legacy method)

To enable Remote Desktop using the legacy system properties, follow the instructions to Connect to another computer using Remote Desktop Connection.

Should I enable Remote Desktop?

If you only want to access your PC when you are physically using it, you don't need to enable Remote Desktop. Enabling Remote Desktop opens a port on your PC that is visible to your local network. You should only enable Remote Desktop in trusted networks, such as your home. You also don't want to enable Remote Desktop on any PC where access is tightly controlled.

Be aware that when you enable access to Remote Desktop, you are granting anyone in the Administrators group, as well as any additional users you select, the ability to remotely access their accounts on the computer.

Microsoft Remote Desktop For Macs

You should ensure that every account that has access to your PC is configured with a strong password.

Why allow connections only with Network Level Authentication?

If you want to restrict who can access your PC, choose to allow access only with Network Level Authentication (NLA). When you enable this option, users have to authenticate themselves to the network before they can connect to your PC. Allowing connections only from computers running Remote Desktop with NLA is a more secure authentication method that can help protect your computer from malicious users and software. To learn more about NLA and Remote Desktop, check out Configure NLA for RDS Connections.

If you're remotely connecting to a PC on your home network from outside of that network, don't select this option.

Applies to: Windows 10, Windows 10 IoT Enterprise, and Windows 7

Important

This content applies to Windows Virtual Desktop with Azure Resource Manager Windows Virtual Desktop objects. If you're using Windows Virtual Desktop (classic) without Azure Resource Manager objects, see this article.

You can access Windows Virtual Desktop resources on devices with Windows 10, Windows 10 IoT Enterprise, and Windows 7 using the Windows Desktop client. The client doesn't support Window 8 or Windows 8.1.

Install the Windows Desktop client

Choose the client that matches your version of Windows:

You can install the client for the current user, which doesn't require admin rights, or your admin can install and configure the client so that all users on the device can access it.

Once installed, the client can be launched from the Start menu by searching for Remote Desktop.

Important

Windows Virtual Desktop doesn't support the RemoteApp and Desktop Connections (RADC) client or the Remote Desktop Connection (MSTSC) client.

Subscribe to a Workspace

There are two ways you can subscribe to a Workspace. The client can try to discover the resources available to you from your work or school account or you can directly specify the URL where your resources are for cases where the client is unable to find them. Once you've subscribed to a Workspace, you can launch resources with one of the following methods:

• Go to the Connection Center and double-click a resource to launch it.
• You can also go to the Start menu and look for a folder with the Workspace name or enter the resource name in the search bar.

Subscribe with a user account

1. From the main page of the client, select Subscribe.
2. Sign in with your user account when prompted.
3. The resources will appear in the Connection Center, and are grouped by workspace.

Microsoft Remote Connection For Mac

Note

Microsoft Remote Desktop Connection For Mac

The Windows client automatically defaults to Windows Virtual Desktop (classic). However, if the client detects that the user also has Azure Resource Manager resources, it automatically adds the resources or notifies the user that they are available.

Subscribe with a URL

1. From the main page of the client, select Subscribe with URL.
2. Enter the Workspace URL or your email address:
   • If you use the Workspace URL, use the one your admin gave you. If accessing resources from Windows Virtual Desktop, you can use one of the following URLs:
     • Windows Virtual Desktop (classic): https://rdweb.wvd.microsoft.com/api/feeddiscovery/webfeeddiscovery.aspx
     • Windows Virtual Desktop: https://rdweb.wvd.microsoft.com/api/arm/feeddiscovery
     • Windows Virtual Desktop (US Gov): https://rdweb.wvd.azure.us/api/arm/feeddiscovery
   • If you're using the Email field instead, enter your email address. This tells the client to search for a URL associated with your email address if your admin has set up email discovery.
3. Select Next.
4. Sign in with your user account when prompted.
5. The resources should appear in the Connection Center, grouped by workspace.

Next steps

To learn more about how to use the Windows Desktop client, check out Get started with the Windows Desktop client.

If you're an admin who's interested in learning more in-depth information about how to use Windows Desktop, check out Windows Desktop client for admins.