What Remote Desktop Connection does

Remote Desktop Connection is a tool built into Windows that lets you see and control another computer from your own. You type in the address of the computer you want to reach, and your screen shows what is on that computer. You can move the mouse, type, click buttons, and run programs on the remote computer as if you were sitting at it — but you are actually somewhere else.

This is useful when you need to access files on your work computer from home, help someone fix a problem on their computer without being there in person, or manage a server that sits in another building. The connection is encrypted, so your keystrokes and what you see are not visible to anyone else on the network.

Key Takeaways

  • Remote Desktop Connection is a Windows tool that shows you another computer's screen and lets you control it from yours, as long as both computers are on the same network or connected to the internet.
  • The computer you want to reach must have Remote Desktop enabled in its settings, and you need to know its name or IP address to connect.
  • You open Remote Desktop Connection by typing "mstsc" into the Windows search box, then enter the remote computer's address and your login credentials.
  • The remote computer's screen fills your monitor, but you can resize the window or use a toolbar to switch between your computer and the remote one.
  • If you cannot connect, the most common reasons are that Remote Desktop is not turned on, the computer name is wrong, or a firewall is blocking the connection.

Turning on Remote Desktop on the computer you want to reach

Before you can connect to another computer, that computer must have Remote Desktop enabled. This is a one-time setup on the computer itself — you do it while sitting at it or by asking someone there to do it.

On the computer you want to reach, open Settings by pressing the Windows key and typing "Settings", then press Enter. Click "System" on the left side, then scroll down and click "Remote Desktop". Toggle the switch to "On". Windows will ask you to confirm — click "Confirm".

Once Remote Desktop is on, Windows shows you the computer's name at the bottom of that same screen. Write this name down or take a screenshot. You will need it to connect from another computer. If you do not see the name, you can find it by right-clicking "This PC" on the desktop, clicking "Properties", and looking for "Computer name".

Opening Remote Desktop Connection and entering the computer address

On the computer you are sitting at, open Remote Desktop Connection. Press the Windows key, type "mstsc" (the short name for the tool), and press Enter. A small window appears with a text box labeled "Computer".

Type the name of the remote computer into that box. Use the exact name you wrote down from the remote computer's settings — for example, "DESKTOP-ABC1234" or "OFFICE-LAPTOP". If you know the computer's IP address instead, you can type that. An IP address looks like four numbers separated by dots, such as "192.168.1.50".

Click "Connect". Remote Desktop will try to reach the other computer. If both computers are on the same home or office network, this usually works right away. If they are on different networks or one is at home and one is at work, you may need to set up a VPN first — that is a separate tool that creates a find tunnel between networks.

Logging in and seeing the remote desktop

After you click Connect, a login screen appears. This is the login screen of the remote computer, not your own. Type the username and password you would use if you were sitting at that computer. Click "OK" or press Enter.

The remote computer's desktop now fills your screen. You can move your mouse, click on files and folders, open programs, and type as if you were there. Everything you do happens on the remote computer, not on yours. If you open a web browser on the remote desktop, it uses the remote computer's internet connection, not yours.

At the top of the screen, a thin toolbar appears with buttons and a minimize arrow. This toolbar lets you switch between your own desktop and the remote one without closing the connection. Click the minimize arrow to shrink the remote desktop window, or click the X to close the connection.

Resizing the window and switching between computers

By default, Remote Desktop fills your entire screen. If you want to see both your own desktop and the remote one at the same time, you can resize the window. Press Ctrl+Alt+Home to show the toolbar at the top, then click the resize button (it looks like a small square). The remote desktop shrinks to a window you can move and resize like any other.

You can also press Ctrl+Alt+Break to toggle between full-screen and windowed mode. In windowed mode, you can click on your own taskbar or desktop behind the remote window, then click back into the remote window when you are ready to use it again.

If you want to disconnect without closing programs on the remote computer, click the X button on the toolbar or press Ctrl+Alt+Delete and click "Sign out". The remote computer stays on and keeps running — you are just closing your view of it. If you want to shut down the remote computer, you can do that through the Start menu just as you would if you were sitting there.

Troubleshooting connection problems

If you type the computer name and click Connect but nothing happens, or you see an error message, check these things in order. First, make sure you typed the computer name correctly — even one letter wrong will fail. Second, make sure the remote computer has Remote Desktop turned on (see the section above). Third, make sure both computers are on the same network, or that you have set up a VPN if they are on different networks.

If you see a message about a firewall, the remote computer's firewall is blocking the connection. On the remote computer, open Windows Defender Firewall (search for it in Settings), click "Allow an app through firewall", and look for "Remote Desktop" in the list. Check the box next to it. If you do not see it, click "Allow another app" and browse to find it.

If the remote computer is on a work network, the network administrator may have disabled Remote Desktop for security reasons. Ask them whether it is allowed and whether you need special permission to use it. Some workplaces require you to use a different tool, like a VPN or a remote access service they provide.

Security and best practices

Remote Desktop sends your username and password over the network, so only use it on networks you trust. If you are connecting over the internet to a computer outside your home or office, use a VPN first — this encrypts the entire connection and makes it much harder for someone to intercept your login information.

Change the default Remote Desktop port if you are exposing it to the internet. By default, Remote Desktop listens on port 3389, which is the first place attackers look. You can change this in the registry on the remote computer, but this is an advanced step — ask a technical person for help if you need it.

Do not leave Remote Desktop on if you do not need it. Turn it off in Settings on the remote computer when you are done using it. This reduces the risk that someone could try to connect without your permission.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use Remote Desktop on a Mac or Linux computer?

Remote Desktop Connection is a Windows tool, so the computer you are sitting at must run Windows. However, you can read a Remote Desktop app from Microsoft for Mac that works the same way. Linux computers do not have built-in Remote Desktop, but you can use a third-party tool like Remmina or VNC instead.

What if I do not know the remote computer's name or IP address?

If the remote computer is on your home network, you can find its name by opening Settings on that computer and going to System > About. If you cannot reach the computer to do that, ask the person who uses it. If it is a work computer, ask your IT department. If you know the computer's IP address, you can use that instead of the name.

Can someone see what I am doing when I am using Remote Desktop?

No. The remote computer's screen shows only on your monitor. The person sitting at the remote computer (if anyone is there) will see the screen go blank or show a lock screen while you are connected. When you disconnect, their screen comes back to normal.

Does Remote Desktop work if the computers are on different networks?

Not directly. Both computers must be on the same network, or you must set up a VPN so they can see each other. If you are trying to reach a work computer from home, your company usually provides a VPN tool for this. If you are trying to reach a friend's computer, you can both install a free VPN app, or use a tool like TeamViewer or Chrome Remote Desktop instead.

What happens to programs running on the remote computer when I disconnect?

They keep running. When you close the Remote Desktop window, you are only closing your view of the remote computer — the computer itself stays on and any open programs stay open. If you want to close a program, you must do that before you disconnect, or you can reconnect later and close it then.