Windows · Network & Internet
Enable Remote Desktop Access
Remote Desktop lets you connect to this PC from another Windows device, or from Mac, iOS, and Android using the Remote Desktop app, over your local network or the internet. Once enabled, you can control this PC's full desktop remotely, which is useful for accessing a work computer from home or troubleshooting a family member's PC.
How to open Remote Desktop
- Open Settings → System → Remote Desktop.
- Toggle 'Remote Desktop' on and confirm the prompt.
- Click 'User accounts' to add any additional accounts allowed to connect.
- Note the PC name shown, then use the Remote Desktop app on another device to connect to it.
What you should know
- Toggle 'Remote Desktop' on to allow incoming connections to this PC.
- Only user accounts explicitly added under 'User accounts' can connect, beyond the PC's own administrator.
- Note this PC's name shown on the Remote Desktop settings page — you'll need it to connect from another device.
- Advanced settings let you require Network Level Authentication for an added layer of connection security.
Remote Desktop as a host (accepting incoming connections) is only available on Windows 11 Pro, Enterprise, and Education editions — Windows 11 Home can connect out to other PCs but cannot accept incoming Remote Desktop connections.
Why it matters
Remote Desktop turns any other device into a full window into this PC, letting you finish work left on your office computer from home, or help a less technical family member by controlling their screen directly instead of talking them through steps over the phone. Because it opens a genuine remote-control channel, correctly restricting which accounts can connect and requiring Network Level Authentication matters for keeping that access limited to people you actually trust. It's one of the most powerful convenience features in Windows precisely because it's also one of the most sensitive to leave misconfigured.
Best practices
- Keep 'Require devices to use Network Level Authentication' enabled, since it authenticates the connecting user before a full remote session even starts.
- Add only the specific user accounts that genuinely need remote access under 'User accounts', rather than relying solely on the built-in administrator account.
- Use a VPN when connecting over the internet rather than exposing Remote Desktop's port directly to your router, unless you fully understand the security tradeoffs of doing otherwise.
- Turn Remote Desktop off when you don't expect to need it for an extended period, rather than leaving it enabled indefinitely by default.
Common problems and fixes
- Can't connect to a PC even though Remote Desktop is enabled.
- Confirm the target PC's edition is Pro, Enterprise, or Education (Home can't accept incoming connections), and check that it's awake, not asleep, since sleep interrupts availability.
- Connection succeeds locally but fails from outside your home network.
- Connecting over the internet requires either port forwarding on your router (not generally recommended without a VPN) or a VPN connection into your home network first, since Remote Desktop isn't exposed to the internet by default.
- 'The user account does not have permission' error when trying to connect.
- Add the connecting account explicitly under Remote Desktop's 'User accounts' section on the host PC, since only added accounts (plus the PC's own administrator) are permitted by default.
Tips and tricks
- Note the exact PC name shown on this settings page before leaving the building, since you'll need it (or the local IP address) to initiate a connection later.
- Use the Remote Desktop app's saved connections feature so you don't have to re-enter the PC name and credentials every time you connect to the same machine.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need Windows 11 Pro to use Remote Desktop at all?
Only to accept incoming connections as the host — Windows 11 Home can still be used to connect out to a Pro, Enterprise, or Education PC using the Remote Desktop client app.
Is Remote Desktop the same as third-party tools like TeamViewer or AnyDesk?
It accomplishes a similar goal but works differently — Remote Desktop is built directly into Windows and typically used within a trusted network or via VPN, while third-party tools often route through their own relay servers designed for easier internet-wide access.
Can more than one person connect to the same PC via Remote Desktop at once?
On standard Windows 11 editions, a new Remote Desktop connection signs out the local session, so only one interactive session is active at a time, unlike Windows Server which supports multiple concurrent sessions.
Related settings
- VPNVPN settings let you add, connect, and manage Virtual Private Network profiles for securely routing your traffic through a work, school, or personal VPN server. This is where you configure server details, sign-in info, and whether the VPN connects automatically.
- WiFi ConnectionWiFi Connection settings allow you to view, connect to, and manage wireless networks. You can configure automatic connections, set network priorities, and troubleshoot connectivity issues from this panel.
- Windows SecurityWindows Security is the built-in protection center for virus & threat protection, firewall & network protection, and device health. It runs Microsoft Defender Antivirus and lets you review recent scans and threats.
More Network & Internet guides for Windows
- Bluetooth SettingsBluetooth settings allow you to connect wireless devices such as headphones, keyboards, mice, and smartphones to your PC. You can pair, remove, and manage connected devices easily.
- Mobile HotspotMobile Hotspot lets you share your PC's internet connection (WiFi, Ethernet, or cellular) with other nearby devices over WiFi, Bluetooth, or a USB cable. It's useful for sharing a wired connection with a phone, or a cellular data plan with a laptop that lacks its own SIM.
- Nearby SharingNearby Sharing lets you send files, photos, and links wirelessly to another nearby Windows PC using Bluetooth and WiFi together, without needing a shared network drive, email, or a USB stick. Both the sending and receiving PC need Nearby Sharing turned on and Bluetooth enabled for it to work.
- Airplane ModeAirplane mode instantly turns off Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, cellular, and GPS radios all at once, which is required during flights and useful anytime you want to quickly disable wireless connectivity.
- Proxy SettingsProxy settings let you route your PC's internet traffic through a proxy server, either automatically detected or manually configured, which is often required on corporate or school networks.
- EthernetEthernet settings manage your PC's wired network adapter, including IP configuration, connection metering, and network profile type for a plugged-in cable connection.