- Dec 01, 2020 To remote desktop in Windows (even without a VPN), you need to have a Windows 10 Pro license. To allow the server PC to be accessed remotely, follow these steps: Right-click on the Windows Start button. You can also press the Windows key on your keyboard (Between Left Control (Ctrl) and Left Alt).
- Thanks, DavidD2015. I forgot about using the RD under Windows accessories. It works fine although more cumbersome to get to. I am using the old Cisco VPN IPSec client 5.0.07.0440 (which took about 2 hours of workarounds to get it to work with Window 10) and I swear that the Remote Desktop app worked with this a month ago.
- Configuring a VPN with Remote Desktop on Windows 10 First, you have to activate Remote Desktop connections on the server PC. Below are steps to help you do it. Right-click the Start button on Windows 10 and proceed to System.
Create a VPN connection. If your workplace uses a special VPN client app, the network.
Looking to access your desktop remotely, but using a VPN for additional security? That’s a wise choice because there would be no additional protection when connecting from one machine to another. That’s because Windows Remote Desktop is reserved for a Local Area Network, where devices are relatively close-by and can also be physically accessed if need be. Getting a chance to connect from one PC to another via the Internet is certainly possible, and if you read about how VPN works, you’ll know it’s not too risky an endeavor. Without further ado, here’s how to remote desktop through VPN on Windows.
What are the prerequisites?
To be able to Remote Desktop through VPN on Windows, you have 4 options:
- You must have a router with VPN capabilities to make your own VPN server.
- If you don’t have a router that natively supports VPN, there is a workaround on routers that support DD-WRT, OpenWrt, and third-party firmware. They can be flashed with a new operating system (firmware) to make them support a VPN. It’s not a beginner-friendly solution and risks bricking the router.
- You can build a VPN in other ways than using your VPN-enabled router. We’ll publish a detailed guide on this option soon.
- You can buy a VPN, which might be the easiest option if you’re a beginner. This not only allows you to skip setting up a VPN server to hide your IP but also to change your virtual location to a server in a different country.
Enable remote connection on the target PC
To remote desktop in Windows (even without a VPN), you need to have a Windows 10 Pro license. To allow the server PC to be accessed remotely, follow these steps:
- Right-click on the Windows Start button.
You can also press the Windows key on your keyboard (Between Left Control (Ctrl) and Left Alt). - Click on System.
- Write down your Device name (under the About menu).
- Switch over to the Remote Desktop option in the menu on the left.
- Toggle the switch in front of Enable Remote Desktop.
- Click Confirm.
Got a VPN server already?
If you already bought access to a VPN server from one of the VPN providers, simply go ahead and setup a VPN on Windows using the information provided. The same applies to connecting to a Windows PC in your school, university, or workplace. Ask the IT department for VPN information and the VPN protocol they use. Both the client PC (the one you use to connect) and the target (server) PC must be connected to the same VPN server. You can skip straight to the Connect to the target PC via Remote Desktop part of the guide after you establish a VPN connection on both.
Setting up your own VPN server via router
Windows natively support L2TP/IPSec, PPTP, SSTP, and IKEv2 security protocols, so it’s just a matter of what your router supports. We don’t recommend PPTP, since it’s outdated and obsolete. We would advise you to create a VPN Server on a router using OpenVPN. It’s a modern VPN protocol that’s very secure and reliable. Plus, it is available for all major operating systems, and widely supported by routers. And since it’s open-source, it’s constantly updated and improved by privacy-oriented developers worldwide.
Windows 10 Remote Desktop Over Vpn Software
Connect to the target PC via Remote Desktop
These are steps required to establish a Remote Desktop Connection on Windows via client PC:
- Open the Start menu by clicking the Start orb in the bottom left corner.
- Start typing ‘Remote Desktop’.
- Click on the Remote Desktop Connection option (or press Enter on your keyboard when it’s highlighted).
- When it opens, select the Device name of your target (server) PC under Computer. In rare cases, you will have to type it in, hence why we recommended you write it down.
- Click on Connect.
- You will be asked for the device password (the user account password).
- If everything went right, you can now see the desktop screen of the target PC.
Additional capabilities
Now that you have this configured, you can use the official Microsoft Remote Desktop app for Windows 10, Android, iOS, and macOS to connect to a Windows PC in a similar fashion. Once again, the two devices have to be connected to the same VPN server. Now you realize why we suggested using OpenVPN, right?
Windows 10 Remote Desktop Over Internet Vpn
Have you ever tried to access Windows Remote Desktop over the internet? Usually, Windows Remote Desktop works on your local network. To access Windows Remote Desktop over the internet, you need to install a virtual private network (VPN). But, if you use a professional or ultimate version of Windows, you will have the full version of Remote Desktop. With the full version, you can set it up to access it over the internet with some tweaks.
Here, we look at 3 different approaches to access Windows Remote Desktop over the internet. Depending upon your requirements, here are some methods to set it up.
Methods to Access Windows Remote Desktop Over the Internet
- Via VPN: One of the easiest ways to access Windows Remote Desktop over the internet is by setting up a VPN connection. When you install a VPN in your computer, you can access your computer from outside and your computer will be like a part of the local server that is running Windows Remote Desktop. Through the VPN, you can easily access Windows Remote Desktop and other services over the internet without exposing your computer over the internet. A VPN connection is the safest option when it comes to enabling access to Remote Desktop over the internet and you can install VPN without much difficulty.
- Exposing Remote Desktop Connection Via Internet: The next option to access Windows Remote Desktop over the internet is to expose Remote Desktop server over the internet. For this, you need to set up your router to remotely access the server of the computer to be accessed. The problem with this approach is that it allows malware and other viruses to attack your system through the internet. The only way to protect your system is by setting up a strong password for your PC so that hackers cannot hack it. This approach should be used only if you’re not in a position to use a VPN to gain access over the internet.
- Access Single PC for Remote Desktop: If you have only one PC or you are planning to provide access to only one PC, then you can easily set up Windows Remote Desktop access over the internet. For this, you need to know the IP address of the system that is running the Remote Desktop. After that, move to your router and find the port forwarding section. Now, forward the TCP port 3389 to the IP address you have copied. You will be able to easily access Windows Remote Desktop over the internet with this system. If you have multiple computers, then you need to follow different steps that are more complicated and it is better to get the help of a professional to set it up.
Conclusion
To use the remote desktop option over the internet, the best approach is to use a VPN that does not require any extra effort from you. But, if you choose to go for one of the other two options, you will need to dig in more and use the more complicated methods to access Windows Remote Desktop connection over the internet.