Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP) is one of the most practical features in Windows 11 Professional. It lets you connect to your office PC from home, access your home computer while travelling, or help a family member troubleshoot their computer — all with a full, interactive desktop experience over any internet connection.
Remote Desktop hosting is exclusively a Windows 11 Pro feature. Windows 11 Home cannot receive incoming Remote Desktop connections; it can only initiate them. If you need to set up your PC as a Remote Desktop host, Windows 11 Pro from GetRenewedTech is available for £18.99. This guide covers the complete setup process from enabling the feature to connecting securely from another location.
Step 1: Enable Remote Desktop on the Host PC
The host PC is the machine you want to connect to remotely. Follow these steps on that computer:
- Open Settings > System > Remote Desktop
- Toggle Enable Remote Desktop to On
- When prompted, click Confirm
- Note down the PC name shown under the toggle — you will need this to connect
You can also click Advanced Settings to review the port number (default is 3389) and the Network Level Authentication setting. Leave Network Level Authentication enabled as it provides an additional security layer requiring the connecting user to authenticate before the remote session is established.
Step 2: Configure User Access
By default, only administrator accounts can connect via Remote Desktop. To grant access to additional users:
- On the Remote Desktop settings page, click Remote Desktop Users
- Click Add and enter the username of the account you want to grant access
- Click OK to save
Ensure the user account has a strong password. Remote Desktop connections are secured by Windows authentication, so a weak password represents a significant security risk — particularly if the PC is accessible from the internet.
Step 3: Find Your Local IP Address
To connect within the same local network (for example, a laptop connecting to a desktop in the same house or office), you need the host computer’s local IP address. Open a Command Prompt and type ipconfig, then press Enter. Look for your active connection (either Wi-Fi or Ethernet) and note the IPv4 address — it will look something like 192.168.1.45.
For local network connections, this address is all you need to connect from another device on the same network.
Step 4: Set Up Remote Access Over the Internet
Connecting to your PC from outside your home or office network requires a few additional steps. There are two main approaches:
Option A: Port Forwarding (Traditional Method)
Log into your router’s admin panel (usually accessed by typing 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1 into your browser). Find the Port Forwarding section and create a new rule:
- External port: 3389 (or a different port number for security)
- Internal IP: the local IP address of your host PC
- Internal port: 3389
- Protocol: TCP
You then connect using your router’s public IP address (find this by searching "what is my IP" on the host network). Note that home broadband connections often have dynamic public IP addresses that change periodically — consider a dynamic DNS service like No-IP or DuckDNS to maintain a consistent hostname.
Exposing RDP directly to the internet carries security risks. If you use this method, change the RDP port from the default 3389, ensure Network Level Authentication is enabled, and use a strong account password.
Option B: VPN (Recommended for Security)
A VPN creates an encrypted tunnel between your remote device and your home or office network. Once connected to the VPN, your remote device behaves as if it is on the local network, and you can connect to Remote Desktop using the local IP address without exposing RDP to the open internet.
Many routers support VPN server functionality directly. Alternatively, Windows 11 Pro can act as a VPN endpoint using L2TP or IKEv2 protocols via the built-in routing features. This is the more secure approach and the one recommended for professional use.
Step 5: Connecting with the Remote Desktop Client
Windows 11 includes the Remote Desktop Connection client. Search for it in the Start menu, or press Windows + R and type mstsc. Enter the IP address or hostname of the host computer and click Connect.
When prompted, enter the username and password of the account on the host computer. Windows will connect and you will see the host computer’s desktop in a window on your local screen — fully interactive, with your keyboard and mouse controlling the remote machine.
For better performance, click Show Options before connecting to adjust display settings. Lowering the colour depth and resolution can significantly improve responsiveness on slower internet connections.
Connecting from Non-Windows Devices
Microsoft provides free Remote Desktop client apps for macOS, iOS, Android, and even web browsers. Search for Microsoft Remote Desktop in the Mac App Store or mobile app stores. The experience is slightly different from the full Windows client but provides the same core functionality.
The web client is particularly convenient — with the right server setup, you can access your desktop from any browser without installing software. This is more commonly used in enterprise environments with Remote Desktop Gateway servers, but is worth exploring for regular remote users.
Optimising Remote Desktop Performance
Remote Desktop performance depends on your internet connection speed and the settings you choose. For best results:
- Reduce the display resolution in the Remote Desktop client’s Display tab for slower connections
- Set the colour depth to 16-bit rather than 32-bit
- Disable visual effects like font smoothing and desktop backgrounds via the Experience tab — choose "Modem" or "Broadband" rather than "Full"
- Use a wired connection on both ends where possible
- Ensure the host PC’s power settings prevent it from sleeping (Settings > System > Power & Sleep — set both sleep settings to Never when plugged in)
Saving Connection Profiles
In the Remote Desktop Connection app, click Show Options and then Save As to save your connection settings as an .rdp file. Double-clicking this file in future will connect directly without re-entering settings. You can save multiple .rdp files for different machines or connection configurations.
The Remote Working Advantage
Remote Desktop effectively gives you access to your full desktop setup — all your installed applications, files, and settings — from anywhere in the world. For hybrid workers and frequent travellers, this capability is transformative. You can travel with a lightweight device and still access the power of your main workstation when you need it.
This is just one of many reasons why Windows 11 Pro at £18.99 from GetRenewedTech represents exceptional value for anyone working flexibly or from home.
