How To Connect To a Computer Using Remote Desktop

In this guide I will show you how to use Remote Desktop to connect to a computer on your local network:

Note: This will not work if you leave your network. To connect remotely from outside your network, you can use software such as TeamViewer.

On the computer you want to remote into:

1. Press Windows Key + R on your keyboard to open the run dialog box

2. Type in “control system” and press OK (You can also access System Properties by browsing to Control Panel (small icons view) -> System)

3. On the left side select Remote Settings

4. Click Select Users

5. Make sure your account is listed as a Remote Desktop User

6. If it is not there, click Add, enter your username, and click OK

7. Now select the option to Allow Remote Connections and check the box to only allow computers with network level authentication

8. Press OK and close the Window

This computer is now ready to be connected to using Remote Desktop. Let’s move on to the computer we will be using to remote in.

On the computer you are using to remote in:

1. Press Windows Key + R on your keyboard to open the run dialog box

2. Type in “mstsc” and press OK to open Remote Desktop (You can also open Remote Desktop by simply typing “remote desktop” into the search bar or browsing to it in the Windows Accessories folder on your Applications list)

3. Once the Remote Desktop windows opens click Show Options on the bottom left

4. In the computer section type in the IP address of the computer you want to connect to (Guide on how to find your IP address here)

5. In the Username section type a valid remote desktop user for the computer you want to connect to (you may need to type it in the format “ComputerName\Username” – Guide on how to find your computer name here)

6. If you would like to save credentials check off the box that says Allow me to save credentials

7. Click Connect

8. You will be prompted for your password (This is the password for the account on the computer you are connecting to, not the computer you are currently sitting at)

9. Check off the box that says Remember Me if you would like it to save your credentials

10. Check off the box that says “Don’t ask me again for connections to this computer”

11. You should now be connected using Remote Desktop

Note: If the connection fails, make sure that remote desktop connections are allowed in the firewall settings on the computer you are trying to connect to (If you are using Windows Firewall this can be done by browsing to Control Panel (small icons view) -> Windows Firewall -> Allow an app of feature through Windows Firewall (In the left pane))