Enabling Remote Desktop Protocol on Windows server

Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP) must be enabled on a Windows Server device to remotely connect to a server and manage the server.

  1. Log on to the Windows Server device either physically or through an existing remote desktop connection, if available. You must have administrative privileges to enable RDP.
  2. Click Server Manager from the task-bar or press Windows + X and select Server Manager from the menu. The Dashboard is displayed.
  3. Click Local Server on the left-hand of the page to access the local settings of the server.
  4. Click Remote Desktop in the Properties panel of the Local Server page. The Not Configured message is displayed if the RDP is not enabled.
  5. Click Disabled corresponding to the Remote Desktop tab. The System Properties window is displayed.
  6. Navigate to the Remote tab to review options to enable remote connection to your server.
  7. Select Allow remote connections to this computer option for general remote access.
  8. Click OK to close the System Properties window. The Local Server page is displayed.
  9. Click Apply.
    Note: Ensure the following:
    • The Windows Firewall or any other third-party firewall software allows RDP traffic on the server. If required, create an inbound rule to allow traffic on port 3389, which is the default port for RDP.
    • The user accounts you intend to use for remote desktop access are members of the "Remote Desktop Users" group or have explicit permission to access the server through RDP.
  10. Restart the server to save the changes. This step is required if firewall rule changes have been made.

    You can now use a Remote Desktop Client (RDC) on your remote computer to connect to the windows server using a host name. You must specify the credentials of an account with permission to access the server through RDP.