--- title: "Enable Remote Desktop in Windows 11 and connect to your PC" canonical: https://saasranked.com/guides/enable-remote-desktop/ applies_to: Windows 11 Pro, Windows 11 Enterprise, Windows 11 Education checked: 2026-08-19 (against Microsoft's documentation) updated: 2026-08-19 --- # Enable Remote Desktop in Windows 11 and connect to your PC - Windows Pro, Enterprise and Education editions can host Remote Desktop connections. Windows Home can only connect to other PCs [2]. - Changing the setting needs an account in the Administrators group or one with administrative privileges [2]. - Once Remote Desktop is on, members of the Administrators group and any users you add can connect remotely [2]. - Turning it on opens a port that devices on your local network can reach, so only enable it on trusted networks such as your home network [2]. - Windows App connections to remote PCs are in preview on Windows. Remote Desktop Connection (MSTSC) is the generally available app [3]. To enable Remote Desktop in Windows 11, open Settings > System > Remote Desktop, turn on Enable Remote Desktop and select Confirm [2]. The PC must run Windows Pro, Enterprise or Education, because Home editions can't host connections [2]. Note the PC name, then connect from another device with Remote Desktop Connection or Windows App [1][3]. ## Before you start Check the edition of the PC you want to connect to (the remote PC). Open **Start** > **Settings** > **System** > **About** and look at **Edition** under **Windows specifications** [1]. Windows Pro, Enterprise and Education editions can host Remote Desktop. Home editions can't [2]. You need an administrator account on the remote PC to change this setting [2]. Turning on Remote Desktop opens a port that devices on your local network can reach. Only turn it on for trusted networks, such as your home network, and give every account that can connect a strong, unique password [2]. When you connect, the remote PC must be powered on and connected to the network [2]. ## Steps 1. **Open the Remote Desktop settings.** On the remote PC, select **Start**, select **Settings**, then select **System** > **Remote Desktop** [2]. 2. **Turn on Remote Desktop.** Toggle **Enable Remote Desktop** to **On**. Select **Confirm** in the pop-up dialog box [2]. 3. **Note the PC name.** Write down the name shown under **PC name**. You need it to connect [1]. You can also connect with the PC's IP address [2]. 4. **Allow other accounts (optional).** Members of the Administrators group can connect by default [2]. To add someone else, select **Remote Desktop users** (in older releases, **Select users that can remotely access this PC**). Select **Add**, type the user name, then select **OK** [2]. 5. **Connect with Remote Desktop Connection.** On the other Windows PC, select **Start**, type **Remote Desktop Connection** and open the app. Enter the computer name or IP address of the remote PC. Select **Connect**, enter the credentials, then select **OK** [2]. 6. **Or connect with Windows App.** Install Windows App from the Microsoft Store and open it. On the **Devices** tab, select the plus (**+**) icon. Enter the host name or IP address under **PC Name**, then select **Add & Connect** [3]. On Windows, Windows App connections to remote PCs are in preview [3]. ## Check it worked On the remote PC, the **Enable Remote Desktop** toggle shows **On** [2]. By default, the **Make my PC discoverable on private networks to enable automatic connection from a remote device** checkbox is also checked [2]. When the connection completes, you can use the remote PC's apps, files and network resources as if you were sitting at it [2]. In Windows App, the PC stays on the **Devices** tab. Select **Connect** on its card to connect again [3]. ## Common problems **The PC can't host Remote Desktop.** It probably runs Windows Home, which can't act as a host [2]. Microsoft's support page links to its guide on upgrading Windows Home to Windows Pro [1]. **You can't connect from outside your network.** To reach the PC from another network, use port forwarding or set up a VPN [2]. **Your account can't sign in.** Make sure the account is in the list of allowed users. Also check that the remote PC's firewall allows Remote Desktop connections [2]. **An older device can't connect.** Network Level Authentication (NLA) makes users sign in before a session starts. Older clients that don't support NLA may need it turned off for a while. For the best security, keep NLA on whenever you can [2]. ## Questions **Can I use Remote Desktop to control a Windows 11 Home PC?** No. Windows Home editions can't act as Remote Desktop hosts, but they can connect to other PCs that support hosting [2]. Microsoft points Home users to its page on upgrading Windows Home to Windows Pro [1]. **Can I connect from a Mac, iPhone or Android phone?** Yes. On macOS or iOS, open Windows App from the Microsoft Store or Apple App Store and add the PC name. On Android, open the Remote Desktop app from Google Play and add the PC name [1]. **How do I connect from outside my home network?** Use port forwarding or set up a VPN. Microsoft covers both in its page on allowing access to your PC from outside its network [2]. **Should I keep Network Level Authentication on?** Yes, for most setups. With NLA on, users must sign in before a remote session starts. You might need to turn it off for a while only to connect from older clients that don't support it [2]. ## Sources 1. [How to use Remote Desktop](https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/how-to-use-remote-desktop-5fe128d5-8fb1-7a23-3b8a-41e636865e8c), Microsoft Support, accessed 2026-08-19 2. [Enable Remote Desktop on your PC](https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-server/remote/remote-desktop-services/remotepc/remote-desktop-allow-access), Microsoft Learn, accessed 2026-08-19 3. [Connect to Windows devices and apps with Windows App](https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-app/get-started-connect-devices-desktops-apps), Microsoft Learn, accessed 2026-08-19 Checked against Microsoft's documentation on 19 Aug 2026.