Examine Remote Desktop

  • 3 minutes

Remote Desktop Connection is a useful Windows feature that allows you to access a different PC on your network, or on the Internet, from your own PC. This feature requires that both computers are powered on and connected to Internet. If those conditions are met you can use your PC to fix problems on any other PC remotely. This feature will enable you to get full access to all files that are stored on that PC, and you will see the live desktop.

How to use Remote Desktop

Use Remote Desktop on your Windows PC or on your Windows, Android, or iOS device to connect to a PC from afar.

  1. First, you will need to set up the remote PC to allow remote connections. On the remote PC, open Settings (Gear-shaped Settings icon) and select System > About. Note the PC name, you will need this later. Then, under Related settings, select System info.
  2. In the left pane of the System window, select Advanced system settings.
  3. On the Remote tab of the System Properties dialog box, under Remote Desktop, select Allow remote connections to this computer, and then select OK.
  4. Next, in Settings (Gear-shaped Settings icon), select System > Power & sleep and check to make sure Sleep is set to Never.

On the device you wish to connect from, do one of the following:

  • On your local Windows PC: In the search box on the taskbar, type Remote Desktop Connection, and then select Remote Desktop Connection. In Remote Desktop Connection, type the full name of the remote PC, and select Connect.
  • On your Windows, Android, or iOS device: Open the Remote Desktop app (available for free from the Microsoft Store, Google Play, or the Apple App Store), and add your remote PC. Select the remote PC, and then wait for the connection to complete.

Screenshot of remote desktop screen.

Screenshot of a connection to a remote machine.

Using Remote Desktop with Microsoft Entra joined devices

If the user who joined the PC to Microsoft Entra ID is the only one who is going to connect remotely, no additional configuration is needed. To allow additional users to connect to the PC, you must allow remote connections for the local Authenticated Users group. Specific Microsoft Entra users can be added with the following PowerShell cmdlet:

net localgroup "Remote Desktop Users" /add
"AzureAD\\the-UPN-attribute-of-your-user"

You can also add other Microsoft Entra users to the Administrators group on a device and restrict remote credentials to Administrators.