How to use Remote Desktop

Summary

Use Remote Desktop on your Windows, Android, or iOS device to connect to a Windows PC from afar. You can access your apps, files, and desktop as if you were sitting in front of the remote PC.

This article explains how to set up a Windows PC for remote access and how to connect to it from another device.

Before you begin

• The PC you want to connect to (the remote PC) must be running Windows Pro edition of Windows.

• The device you connect from (the client device) can be running any edition of Windows (Pro orHome), or even a different operating system altogether.

Set up the remote PC

1. On the remote PC, select Start  > Settings .

2. Select System > About .

3. Under Windows specifications, look for Edition and confirm that Edition shows Windows 11 Pro. For info on how to get Pro edition of Windows, go to Upgrade Windows Home to Windows Pro.

4. When you're ready, select Start  > Settings  > System  > Remote Desktop.
   Enable Remote Desktop

5. Turn on Remote Desktop and then select Confirm.

6. Make note of the name of this PC under PC name. You’ll need this to connect later.

Connect to the remote PC

From a Windows PC:

1. In the taskbar search box, type Remote Desktop Connection, then open it.

2. Enter the PC name of the remote PC (the name you noted before).

3. Select Connect, then sign in with your account.

From macOS or iOS:

1. Open Windows App, available from the Microsoft Store or Apple App Store.

2. Add the PC name of the remote PC (the name you noted before).

3. Select the PC to start the connection.

​​​​​​​

From Android:

1. Open the Remote Desktop app from Google Play.

2. Add the PC name of the remote PC (the name you noted before).

3. Select the PC and wait for the connection to complete.

Summary

Use Remote Desktop on your Windows, Android, or iOS device to connect to a Windows PC from afar. You can access your apps, files, and desktop as if you were sitting in front of the remote PC.

This article explains how to set up a Windows PC for remote access and how to connect to it from another device.

Before you begin

• The PC you want to connect to (the remote PC) must be running Windows 10 Pro edition of Windows.

• The device you connect from (the client device) can be running any edition of Windows (Pro orHome), or even a different operating system altogether.

Set up the remote PC

1. On the remote PC, select Start  > Settings .

2. Select System > About .

3. Under Windows specifications, look for Edition and confirm that Edition shows Windows Pro. For info on how to get Pro edition of Windows, go to Upgrade Windows Home to Windows Pro.

4. When you're ready, select Start  > Settings  > System  > Remote Desktop.
   Enable Remote Desktop

5. Turn on Enable Remote Desktop and then select Confirm.

6. Make note of the name of this PC under PC name. You’ll need this to connect later.

Connect to the remote PC

From a Windows PC:

1. In the taskbar search box, type Remote Desktop Connection, then open it.

2. Enter the PC name of the remote Windows 10 PC (the name you noted before).

3. Select Connect, then sign in with your account.

From macOS or iOS:

1. Open Windows App, available from the Microsoft Store or Apple App Store.

2. Add the PC name of the remote PC (the name you noted before).

3. Select the PC to start the connection.

​​​​​​​

From Android:

1. Open the Remote Desktop app from Google Play.

2. Add the PC name of the remote PC (the name you noted before).

3. Select the PC and wait for the connection to complete.​​​​​​​