This tutorial will show you how to use Remote Desktop on your Windows, Android, or iOS device to remotely connect to a Windows 10 or Windows 11 PC.
You can use Remote Desktop to connect to and control your PC from a remote device by using a Microsoft Remote Desktop client (available for Windows, iOS, macOS and Android). When you allow remote connections to your PC, you can use another device to connect to your PC and have access to all of your apps, files, and network resources as if you were sitting at your desk.
It is required to have the remote computer you want to connect to turned on, and turn on Remote Desktop to allow Remote Desktop connections to the computer.
You will need to know the computer name (ex: "Brink-Spectre") of the remote computer you want to connect to.
You will need to be an allowed Remote Desktop user with a password on the remote computer you want to connect to. By default, administrator accounts with passwords on a computer are always allowed to remotely connect to the computer.
You can't connect to computers running a Home edition of Windows, but you can connect to Pro, Enterprise, and Education editions of Windows from any edition.
Contents
- Option One: Use Remote Desktop Connection in Windows to connect to remote computer
- Option Two: Use Remote Desktop app on Windows, Android, iOS, or macOS device to connect to remote computer
EXAMPLE: Remote Desktop Connection session
EXAMPLE: Remote Desktop app connection session
1 Open Remote Desktop Connection (mstsc.exe) on the computer you want to connect from.
2 Click/tap on Show Options. (see screenshot below)
If you have already set up and added a Remote Desktop connection for the remote computer, you can select the remote computer (ex: "Brink-Spectre") you want to connect to, click/tap on Connect, and go to step 4 instead.
3 Perform the following steps to set up and add a Remote Desktop connection: (see screenshot below)
- Type the Computer name (ex: "Brink-Spectre") you want to connect to.
- Type the User name of your account that is an allowed Remote Desktop user on the remote computer you want to connect to. This would be an email address for a Microsoft account.
- Check or uncheck Allow me to save credentials for what you want.
- Click/tap on Connect.
4 Perform the following steps to enter your credentials for the remote computer: (see screenshot below)
- Type the password of your account that is an allowed Remote Desktop user on the remote computer you want to connect to.
- Check or uncheck Remember me for what you want.
- Click/tap on OK.
5 If prompted, check Don't ask me again for connections to this computer, and click/tap on Yes. (see screenshot below)
6 A Remote Desktop session will now open and be connected to the remote computer. (see screenshot below)
7 When you are ready to disconnect from the remote computer, close the Remote Desktop session window above, and click/tap on OK below.
Use Remote Desktop app on Windows, Android, iOS, or macOS device to connect to remote computer
1 If you haven't already, you will need to download and install a Microsoft Remote Desktop client on the device you are connecting from.
Windows 10 and Windows 11
Microsoft Remote Desktop - Free download and install on Windows | Microsoft Store
Use the Microsoft Remote Desktop app to connect to a remote PC or virtual apps and desktops made available by your admin. The app helps you be productive no matter where you are. Getting Started Configure your PC for remote access first. Download the Remote Desktop assistant to your PC...
www.microsoft.com
Android
Remote Desktop - Apps on Google Play
Remote Desktop allows you to connect to remote PCs and apps.
iOS
Windows App Mobile
Windows App Mobile for iOS and iPadOS (previously named Remote Desktop Mobile) is your gateway to securely connect to Windows including remote PCs and admin-provided virtual apps and desktops across Windows 365, Azure Virtual Desktop, Dev Box and Remote Desktop Services. Embrace the...
apps.apple.com
macOS
Windows App
Windows App for Mac (previously named Microsoft Remote Desktop) is your gateway to securely connect to Windows including remote PCs and admin-provided virtual apps and desktops across Windows 365, Azure Virtual Desktop, Dev Box and Remote Desktop Services. Embrace the simplicity of a unified...
apps.apple.com
2 Open the Remote Desktop app.
3 Click/tap on Add a PC or Add > PCs. (see screenshot below)
Get started with the Remote Desktop app for Windows
Basic setup instructions for the Remote Desktop app for Windows.
docs.microsoft.com
If you have already set up and added a Remote Desktop connection for the remote computer, you can go to step 7 to select the remote computer (ex: "Brink-Spectre") you want to connect to instead.
4 Type the PC name name (ex: "Brink-Spectre") you want to connect to, and click/tap on {B]+[/B] for User account. (see screenshot below)
5 Perform the following steps to add an account: (see screenshot below)
- Type the User name of your account that is an allowed Remote Desktop user on the remote computer you want to connect to. This would be an email address for a Microsoft account.
- Type the password of your account that is an allowed Remote Desktop user on the remote computer you want to connect to.
- Click/tap on Save.
6 Click/tap on Save. (see screenshot below)
7 Click/tap on the remote computer (ex: "Brink-Spectre") you want to connect to. (see screenshot below)
8 If prompted, check Don't ask me about this certificate again, and click/tap on Connect anyway. (see screenshot below)
9 A Remote Desktop session will now open and be connected to the remote computer. (see screenshot below)
10 When you are ready to disconnect from the remote computer, close the Remote Desktop session window, and click/tap on Disconnect. (see screenshot below)
That's it,
Shawn Brink
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