How to set up remote desktop connection in Windows 10 (Pro) to connect to a PC remotely?

To set up a remote desktop connection in Windows 10, which is used to connect to a PC remotely, you need to do two steps:

I.) Preparation on the remote PC

(which you want to connect to)

This preparation is required just one time. Per default, Windows doesn't allow remote connections, so you need to enable them first and define which users are allowed to connect:

0. Add "This PC" to Windows start menu.

1. Right-click and select This PC => More => Properties

2. On the "About" screen, click on the "Advanced system settings" link (you might need to scroll down)
   => confirm elevation

3. On the dialog, select Remote tab

4. On the remote tab, there is a Remote Desktop section.
   Select
   "Allow remote connections to this computer" radio button,
   activate "Allow connections only from computers ... with Network Level Authentication"

5. Click Select users..., then add yourself with Add

In Windows command shell (to get it, press Win+R and enter cmd.exe), then type

Hostname

To get the name of the remote PC. Ping it from your PC to make sure it is available on your network. If it can't be resolved, try to ping it using the remote PCs IP address (on the remote PC, type ipconfig -all to get it) - and as a workaround use the IP address to connect.

Troubleshooting hints: If it still doesn't work maybe the listening port 3389 might be blocked by a firewall. There are two ways to resolve it: 1. Edit the firewall rules to allow that port on the remote PC. 2. You can try to change the listening port, following this instruction.

II.) On your PC

(which you use to connect to the remote PC)

To connect to the remote PC, open a Windows command shell (to get it, press Win+R and enter cmd.exe there), and type:

mstsc
(and press enter)

The remote desktop dialog opens. Type in the hostname you got from your remote PC and click "connect".

You will be now asked for the username and password (your credentials). Enter them and you will be connected with the remote PC.

Hints:

• You can save this connection to be used later. For command line options of mstsc type

mstsc /?

• In your remote session Ctrl+Alt+Del can be accessed via Ctrl+Alt+End

• This description works with elevated rights. If you don't have full administrator rights, this is the way to go (because the remote desktop switch in Windows settings might be blocked).