Configure Remote Desktop Windows 10



By default on a Windows Server Product Windows Remote Management (WinRM) is enabled, but Remote Desktop (RDP) is Disabled. On workstation operating systems neither is enabled by default, so if you want to be able to accomplish the following you will need to enable WinRM on the workstations.

After verifying that you are running Windows 10 Pro or Windows 10 Enterprise, go to the search box and enter in ‘Settings’, then select it from the list of results. In Settings, enter ‘Remote Desktop’ and select Remote desktop settings. In Enable Remote Desktop, make sure the feature is turned on. Select Confirm to turn on Remote Desktop. The easiest way to Enable Remote Desktop connection in Windows 10 is by going to Settings on your computer. Go to Settings System. In the Configuration Manager console, choose Administration Client Settings Default Client Settings. On the Home tab, in the Properties group, choose Properties. In the Default dialog box, choose Remote Tools. Configure the remote control, Remote Assistance and Remote Desktop client settings. Enable remote desktop - some settings are managed by your organization Recently had to re-install windows and now tried connecting remotely to my pc on my company domain via vpn and it cannot find my pc/remote desktop not enabled.

Enabling RDP remotely.

Method 1: Command Line

To enable RDP with the Command Prompt, use the following steps.

  1. Launch the Command Prompt as Administrator.
  2. Type the following command:
Reg add“computernameHKLMSYSTEMCurentControlSetControlTerminal Server”/vfDenyTSConnections/tREG_DWORD/d1/f

Method 2: Using PowerShell

To enable RDP with the PowerShell, use the following steps.

Option 1

To enable RDP:

  1. Launch PowerShell as Administrator.
  2. Type the following command and create a script block and use the Invoke-Command cmdlet:
Invoke-Command–Computername“server1”,“Server2”–ScriptBlock{Enable-NetFirewallRule-DisplayGroup'Remote Desktop'}

NOTE: By default the local Administrators group will be allowed to connect with RDP. Also the user that is currently logged in will also be allowed to connect.

To disable RDP with the PowerShell, use the following steps.

  1. Launch PowerShell as Administrator.
  2. Type the following command:
Set-ItemProperty-Path'HKLM:SystemCurrentControlSetControlTerminal Server'-Name'fDenyTSConnections'–Value0

NOTE: Enabling RDP through PowerShell will not configure the Windows Firewall with the appropriate ports to allow RDP connections.

Type the following:

Set-ItemProperty-Path'HKLM:SystemCurrentControlSetControlTerminal Server'-Name'fDenyTSConnections'–Value1

Method 3: Use Group Policy

If you have numerous Servers and/or Workstations that you need to enable RDP on and they are in the same Organization Unit structure in Active Directory you should enable RDP through Group Policy.

To enable RDP Using Group Policy.

  1. Launch the Group Policy Management Console (GPMC)
  2. Either edit an existing Group Policy Object (GPO) or create a new GPO.
  3. Navigate to the following GPO node:

Computer ConfigurationAdministrative TemplatesWindows ComponentsRemote Desktop ServicesRemote Desktop Session HostConnections

  1. In the Settings pane double click Allow users to connect remotely by using Remote Desktop Services.
  1. Select the Enable Radial button select OK.
  1. Close the GPO editor and link the GPO to the appropriate Organizational Unit.

NOTE: Enabling RDP through GPO will configure the Windows Firewall with the appropriate ports to allow RDP connections.

Note: In all the methods demonstrated in this blog any member of the local Remote Desktop Users group will be able to connect to the target computers.

Until next time – Ride Safe!

Rick Trader
Windows Server Instructor – Interface Technical Training
Phoenix, AZ

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CategoryPowerShell, Windows Server 2012Tags

GPMC, GPO, Group Policy Management Console, Group Policy Object, Invoke-Command, Powershell, RDP, RDP connections, remote desktop, Windows Remote Management, WinRM

Remote Desktop Connection (RDC) is a Microsoft technology that allows a local PC to connect to and control a remote PC over a network or the Internet. Unlike a typical VPN connection (which will give a remote computer access to the Parkland network) Remote Desktop will actually allow you to see and control your Parkland PC as though you were sitting directly in front of it. Remote Desktop is intended to be used by Parkland employees for remote access to their Parkland Windows machine (Remote Desktop for Macs is not available at this time). NOTE: While on campus, you can only use Remote Desktop from a Parkland-owned device.

Windows

***Due to Covid 19 and the very limited access to campus at the moment, Campus Technologies automatically applied the settings listed below to Parkland office machines on 3/16. In order to use Remote Desktop, please see Remote Desktop Connection (Windows) - Remotely Control Your Office Computer From On or Off Campus . Remote Desktop CANNOT be used if your Parkland machine is used by multiple people.


Enable Remote Desktop Connection:

  1. In Windows 10, search for Remote Desktopand skip to step 4.On Windows 7, Select Allow connections from computers running any version of Remote Desktop (per the image below).
  2. In the Remote Desktop section, select Allow remote connections to this computer. Note: you will then need to UNCHECK the Allow connections only from computers running Remote Desktop with Network Level Authentication box.

How To Set Up Remote Desktop

3. If you get a prompt to change your machine's sleep/hibernation settings, please click on the 'power options' link in blue, select Change when the computer sleeps in the column on the left and in the “Put the computer to sleep” drop down menu, select Never.

4. There should be no need to click on Select Users as it defaults to allowing access for the person who is signed in to the machine.

5. Select OK.

Note: Remember to leave your computer on when you leave. If you shut it down, you won’t be able to connect to it remotely. Also, if it is a laptop, be sure that it remains plugged in.

Change Power Options Settings (if you weren't prompted to do so after step 4):

Make sure your office computer stays awake so it can respond to Remote Desktop Connection requests.

  1. Go to the Start Menu and search for and run “Power and sleep settings”.
  2. In the Put the computer to sleep or Turn off after drop down menu, select Never.
  3. In Windows 7, select Save Changes.
  4. Note: Remember to leave your computer on when you leave. If you shut it down, you won’t be able to connect.

In order to use Remote Desktop, please see Remote Desktop Connection (Windows) - Remotely Control Your Office Computer From On or Off Campus.

Tech Service Desk: Contact and Hours

In-Person Assistance: 10 a.m. - 2 p.m., M-F, room A184

Phone/Virtual Assistance: 217-353-3333 * techhelp@parkland.edu

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