Configure Remote Desktop on Windows Server

Configuring Remote Desktop on a Windows Server involves several steps. Here’s a general guide for enabling Remote Desktop on a Windows Server:

1. Ensure Remote Desktop is Enabled:

  • Open the “Server Manager” on your Windows Server.
  • Click on “Local Server” in the left-hand menu.
  • Find the “Remote Desktop” section and ensure that it is set to “Enabled.”

2. Configure Firewall Settings:

  • Make sure that the Windows Firewall allows Remote Desktop traffic. You may need to create an inbound rule to allow connections on the default RDP port (TCP 3389).
  • To do this, go to “Control Panel” > “System and Security” > “Windows Defender Firewall” > “Advanced settings” and create a new inbound rule for TCP port 3389.

3. Allow Remote Desktop Through System Properties:

  • Right-click on the “This PC” or “Computer” icon on the desktop or in File Explorer.
  • Select “Properties.”
  • Click on “Advanced system settings” on the left.
  • Under the “Remote” tab, check the box next to “Allow remote connections to this computer.”

4. Configure Remote Desktop Licensing (if necessary):

  • If your server requires Remote Desktop Licensing, configure the licensing settings accordingly. This step is especially important in a production environment.

5. Configure User Access:

  • Ensure that the user account you are using to connect has permission to access the server via Remote Desktop. This involves adding the user to the “Remote Desktop Users” group.
  • Open “Local Users and Groups” or “Computer Management” from the “Administrative Tools” menu.
  • Navigate to “Groups” and add your user to the “Remote Desktop Users” group.

6. Set Up Network Level Authentication (Optional):

  • For enhanced security, consider enabling Network Level Authentication (NLA). NLA requires that the remote device authenticates before a session is established.
  • In the “Remote” tab of the “System Properties” (as mentioned in step 3), check the box next to “Allow connections only from computers running Remote Desktop with Network Level Authentication.”

7. Restart the Remote Desktop Services:

  • Open the “Services” management console (services.msc).
  • Locate the “Remote Desktop Services” service.
  • Restart the service.

8. Connect to the Server:

  • Use a Remote Desktop client on another computer to connect to the Windows Server using its IP address or hostname.

Remember that these instructions are general, and the exact steps might vary slightly depending on the version of Windows Server you are using. Always consider security best practices and ensure that you are compliant with your organization’s policies when configuring Remote Desktop on a server.