How to Connect to Remote Desktop Connection Using Remote Endpoints?

Luckily, remote access has our back when times like these strike. It’s even a lot easier for Windows users to access their computers remotely through Windows Remote Desktop Connection (RDC). In this guide, we’ll show you how to enable this Microsoft feature and use it to connect to remote endpoints.

What is Windows Remote Desktop Connection?

Windows Remote Desktop Connection (RDC) is a remote access tool invented by Microsoft. By default, this Microsoft feature comes in all Windows-running computers for free. The primary goal of Windows RDC is to allow users to access their computers from off-site locations. Meaning, they don’t need to be where their computers are in order to access and control them on their own.

Many in-house IT teams use Remote Desktop Connection to assess and monitor a bunch of remote endpoints connected to the same local network. It enables them to provide technical support to a specific computing device without needing to leave their physical office desks. Remote Desktop Connection can also be used by regular employees to connect to their company’s corporate network outside of the office. However, they may need the help of the internet to perform such an action.

How to Enable Remote Desktop Connection?

Windows Remote Desktop Connection is disabled by default. However, enabling one is easy to accomplish. The first thing you need to do is to go to your remote PC (the one you’re going to connect to remotely). Once opened, launch its Start panel and search for Settings. From there, open the System window and go directly to the Remote Desktop tab. Activate the switch button beside Enable Remote Desktop. Once activated, click Confirm to enable the said feature.

The good thing about Windows computers is that their options to keep the PC awake even if someone is not directly using it and to make your device visible to other users are both enabled. However, if these options are deactivated, you can still enable them by clicking the link to Show settings. If these options are already enabled, then leave them as they are.

Once these options are enabled, it’s time for you to click on the Advanced settings option. From there, tick the box beside Network Level Authentication (NLA) to connect. Network Level Authentication adds another layer of security for all remote connections made on the same local private network as it authorizes all users before they can gain access to the remote endpoint.

What is Remote Desktop Connection?

Now that the remote computer is ready to be accessed at any time, it’s time for you to focus on your local computer (the one you’re going to use to access and control the remote PC). The first thing you need to do is to open Windows Remote Desktop Connection. To accomplish this, launch the start button and look for Windows Accessories. Once opened, click on the shortcut for Remote Desktop Connection. You can also look for this feature by typing Remote Desktop Connection in the Search panel.

Once opened, you can now type in the name of the remote computer in the Computer field at the Remote Desktop Connection window. Once accomplished, type in the user name of the computer you want to connect to remotely at the Show Options tab. Select Connect. From there, you’ll be prompted to provide the necessary login credentials at the credentials panel. You can also click on the Remember me option in order for you to not enter the same credentials each time you use the same account. Select OK.

Once all these steps are completed, you can now safely connect to your remote endpoint from an off-site location. This will enable you to perform several computing tasks a person sitting in front of it can. You can use apps, access files, install updates, and even perform certain administrative tasks. Remember that the goal of Windows Remote Desktop Connection is to eliminate the need for the physical presence of the user to get a task done. However, using this feature outside of the same network can prompt you to seek the help of the internet. After all, Windows Remote Desktop Connection is meant to use on the same private network only.

Related Resources: