Use Remote Desktop on your Windows, Android, or iOS device to connect to a Windows 10 PC from afar.
Set up the PC you want to connect to so it allows remote connections:
Make sure you have Windows 10 Pro. To check, go to Start > Settings > System > About and look for Edition. For info on how to get it, go to Upgrade Windows 10 Home to Windows 10 Pro.
When you're ready, select Start > Settings > System > Remote Desktop, and turn on Enable Remote Desktop.
Make note of the name of this PC under How to connect to this PC. You'll need this later.
Use Remote Desktop to connect to the PC you set up:
On your local Windows 10 PC: In the search box on the taskbar, type Remote Desktop Connection, and then select Remote Desktop Connection. In Remote Desktop Connection, type the name of the PC you want to connect to (from Step 1), and then select Connect.
On your Windows, Android, or iOS device: Open the Remote Desktop app (available for free from Microsoft Store, Google Play, and the Mac App Store), and add the name of the PC that you want to connect to (from Step 1). Select the remote PC name that you added, and then wait for the connection to complete.
How to Remove Computer Entries from Remote Desktop Connection History in Windows 10 You can use the Remote Desktop Connection (mstsc.exe) or Microsoft Remote Desktop app to connect to and control your Windows PC from a remote device. IMHO, the Remote Desktop Connection app is woefully old and kinda Windows XP-like in its style. There is a Windows Store Remote Desktop app at and even a Remote Desktop Assistant at that can help set up older machines (earlier than Windows 10 version 1709 (I had no idea this existed!). Remote Desktop client URI scheme Applies to: Windows 10, Windows 8.1, Windows Server 2019, Windows Server 2016, Windows Server 2012 R2 You can control a remote PC by using a Microsoft Remote Desktop client. The client can run on almost any device, including on your mobile smartphone.
-->
Use the Microsoft Remote Desktop app to connect to a remote PC or virtual apps and desktops made available by your admin. The app helps you be productive no matter where you are. Getting Started Configure your PC for remote access first. You can open the Remote Desktop Connection client by going to Run – mstsc. Simply put, the default port for using the Remote Desktop Protocol is 3389. This port should be open through Windows Firewall to make it RDP accessible within the local area network.
Applies to: Windows Server (Semi-Annual Channel), Windows Server 2019, Windows Server 2016, Windows Server 2012 R2, Windows Server 2012
Creates connections to Remote Desktop Session Host servers or other remote computers, edits an existing Remote Desktop Connection (.rdp) configuration file, and migrates legacy connection files that were created with Client Connection Manager to new .rdp connection files.
Syntax
Parameters
| Parameter | Description |
|---|---|
<connectionfile> | Specifies the name of an .rdp file for the connection. |
/v:<server>[:<port>] | Specifies the remote computer and, optionally, the port number to which you want to connect. |
| /admin | Connects you to a session for administering the server. |
| /f | Starts Remote Desktop Connection in full-screen mode. |
/w:<width> | Specifies the width of the Remote Desktop window. |
/h:<height> | Specifies the height of the Remote Desktop window. |
| /public | Runs Remote Desktop in public mode. In public mode, passwords and bitmaps aren't cached. |
| /span | Matches the Remote Desktop width and height with the local virtual desktop, spanning across multiple monitors if necessary. |
/edit <connectionfile> | Opens the specified .rdp file for editing. |
| /migrate | Migrates legacy connection files that were created with Client Connection Manager to new .rdp connection files. |
| /? | Displays help at the command prompt. |
Remarks
Default.rdp is stored for each user as a hidden file in the user's Documents folder.
User created .rdp files are saved by default in the user's Documents folder, but can be saved anywhere.
To span across monitors, the monitors must use the same resolution and must be aligned horizontally (that is, side-by-side). There is currently no support for spanning multiple monitors vertically on the client system.
Windows 10 Mstsc Console
Examples
To connect to a session in full-screen mode, type:
or
To assign width/height, type:
To open a file called filename.rdp for editing, type:
Windows 10 Pro
Additional References