Remote Desktop lets you control another Windows PC from your own device as if you were sitting in front of it. It’s built into Windows, it’s free, and it works well for reaching a home PC while you’re away, helping a family member, or managing a work machine. This guide shows you exactly how to connect with Remote Desktop, from turning the feature on to fixing the errors that stop it working.
The short version: turn on Remote Desktop on the PC you want to control (Settings > System > Remote Desktop), note its PC name, then open Remote Desktop Connection on your other device, enter that name, and sign in with the PC’s account password.
What You Need Before You Start
Check these four things first. Most failed connections come down to one of them.
- The right Windows edition on the host PC. The PC you want to connect to must run Windows 11 Pro, Enterprise, or Education. Windows 11 Home can connect out to other PCs, but it can’t be connected to.
- A network path. Both devices should be on the same network, or you need a VPN into that network (more on this below).
- An account with a password. Remote Desktop sign-in uses the account password. A Windows Hello PIN won’t work, so make sure the account has a password set.
- A PC that’s awake. If the host PC is asleep or shut down, you can’t connect. Adjust its power settings if you need reliable access.
Step 1: Turn On Remote Desktop on the PC You Want to Control
Do this on the host PC, the one you’ll be connecting to.
- Open Start and go to Settings > System > Remote Desktop.
- Switch Remote Desktop to On, then confirm when Windows asks.
- Leave Require devices to use Network Level Authentication ticked. It adds a sign-in check before the session starts and is the safer setting.
- Note the PC name shown on this screen. You’ll need it in a moment.
If you’re signed in as an administrator, that account can connect automatically. To let another person connect, select Remote Desktop users on the same screen and add their account.
Step 2: Find the PC Name or IP Address
The PC name is the easiest thing to use on a home or office network. You can also find it under Settings > System > About.
If the name doesn’t work, use the IP address instead. Press Win + R, type cmd, press Enter, then type ipconfig. Look for the IPv4 Address under your active connection. It usually looks like 192.168.1.25.
Step 3: Connect from Another Windows PC
On the PC you’re connecting from:
- Press Win + R, type
mstsc, and press Enter. You can also search for Remote Desktop Connection in the Start menu. - Enter the PC name or IP address in the Computer box.
- Select Show Options and type the username of the account on the host PC.
- Select Connect, then enter the account password when prompted.
- If you see a certificate warning and you recognize the PC, tick the box to stop asking and choose Yes.
The host PC’s screen will appear in a window on your device. Anyone sitting at the host PC will see it lock while you’re connected.
A note on app names. Microsoft retired the separate “Remote Desktop” app from the Microsoft Store on May 27, 2025, and replaced it with the Windows App. The built-in Remote Desktop Connection tool (mstsc) is a different program and is still part of Windows, so the steps above still work.
Step 4: Connect from a Mac, iPhone, iPad, or Android Device
Microsoft has also retired the older Remote Desktop apps on these platforms in favor of the Windows App. Download it from the App Store or Google Play, then:
- Open the Windows App and go to Devices.
- Choose to add a PC, then enter the PC name or IP address of the host.
- Add the user account and password for the host PC, then connect.
Menu labels can change slightly between app versions, but the process is the same: add the PC, enter its address, sign in.
Step 5: Connect from Outside Your Home or Office Network
On the same network, the steps above are all you need. From outside it, you have to reach the host PC safely.
Don’t open port 3389 on your router. Remote Desktop uses TCP port 3389, and exposing it directly to the internet is one of the most common ways PCs get attacked. Use one of these safer routes instead:
- A VPN into your home or office network. Connect to the VPN first, then use Remote Desktop exactly as if you were on the local network. Many routers and business networks support this.
- Your employer’s remote access setup. For a work PC, your IT team may provide a gateway or use Windows 365 or Azure Virtual Desktop through the Windows App. Ask them before changing anything.
- A different tool for Windows 11 Home. If the host PC runs Home, a service such as Chrome Remote Desktop is a simple alternative.
Can’t Connect? How to Fix Common Remote Desktop Problems
“Remote Desktop can’t connect to the remote computer”
This is the most common error. Work through the list in order:
- Confirm Remote Desktop is switched on at the host PC (Step 1).
- Make sure the host PC is awake and connected to the network. If the connection itself is the problem, reset network settings in Windows 11.
- Check that you’re using the correct PC name or IP address.
- Allow Remote Desktop through Windows Defender Firewall on the host. Search for Allow an app through Windows Firewall and make sure Remote Desktop is ticked for private networks.
- Restart the host PC if nothing else works. If Windows reports a network path error instead, see our guide to System Error 53.
“Your credentials did not work”
Try entering the username in the form .\username for a local account or your full Microsoft account email address. Also check that the account is an administrator or has been added under Remote Desktop users, and that it has a password.
Error 0xC000000D after a Windows update
If Remote Desktop worked before and broke after a recent update, you may be affected by a known issue. In October 2026 Microsoft confirmed that non-admin users can fail to connect with error 0xC000000D after the September 2026 preview update KB5124010 or later updates, when the Administrator protection security feature is turned on. Reports on Windows 11 versions 24H2, 25H2, and later point to the same cause.
What to do:
- Open Settings > Windows Update, select Check for updates, and install everything offered. If an update fails to install, try clearing the Windows Update cache or the fix for Windows Update stuck at 0%. Microsoft has since released a fix, so a fully updated PC is the first thing to try.
- Be careful with registry tweaks shared in forums. At least one popular workaround changes remote UAC filtering, which can weaken protection for local administrator accounts.
- If you manage several PCs, check Microsoft’s Windows release health page for the latest guidance before rolling out any workaround.
Black screen or frequent disconnects
Update the graphics driver on the host PC (NVIDIA users can follow our guide to reinstalling NVIDIA drivers), make sure both devices have a stable connection, and in Show Options > Experience on Remote Desktop Connection, choose a lower connection speed setting to reduce lag.
Keep Remote Desktop Secure
A remote session gives full control of your PC, so a few habits matter:
- Use a strong, unique password on every account that can connect.
- Keep Network Level Authentication turned on.
- Install Windows updates promptly, because Remote Desktop flaws are regularly patched.
- Only add accounts to Remote Desktop users if they genuinely need access.
- Turn Remote Desktop off when you’re not using it, especially on a laptop you carry around.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use Remote Desktop on Windows 11 Home?
You can use a Home PC to connect to another computer, but you can’t connect to a Home PC with Remote Desktop. The host must run Pro, Enterprise, or Education. Not sure which edition you have? See our Windows 11 Pro vs Home comparison.
Is Remote Desktop free?
Yes. Remote Desktop Connection is included with Windows at no extra cost.
What’s the difference between Remote Desktop Connection and the Windows App?
Remote Desktop Connection (mstsc) is the classic tool built into Windows for connecting to a PC. The Windows App is Microsoft’s newer app for reaching cloud PCs, virtual desktops, and remote PCs from Windows, Mac, iOS, and Android.
Do I need to be on the same Wi-Fi network?
Not if you use a VPN or your organization’s remote access service. Without those, both devices need to be on the same network.
Is Remote Desktop safe to use?
Yes, when it’s set up properly: strong passwords, Network Level Authentication on, Windows kept up to date, and no direct exposure of port 3389 to the internet.
To connect with Remote Desktop, you only need three things: Remote Desktop switched on at the host PC, the correct PC name or IP address, and an account password. If it fails, work through the checklist above, and if the problem started after a recent update, install the latest Windows updates first. Once it’s set up, you can reach your PC from almost anywhere, as long as you do it through a secure route. If you only need to reach files rather than control the whole PC, our guide to setting up shared folders in Windows 11 is a lighter option.
