Setting Up Remote Desktop in Windows 8

Many of us are familiar with the functions of remote controls. They make watching television so much easier. Instead of getting up from your lazy boy couches, you can easily turn on the TV, change channels, and modify couches with just a tap of a button. That is why they made such a buzz when they first came out in the 1950s.

However, your TV is the not only thing that can be controlled remotely. Your computer can be controlled remotely too. Remote Desktop Connection is a feature in Windows operating system that allows you to control your computer from a different or isolated location. For example, you can control your computer at home while at work by using Remote Desktop Connection. In this guide, you will learn how to set up Remote Desktop Connection.

Enabling Remote Access

In order to set up Remote Desktop, you need to enable remote access. To do this, move the cursor to the bottom-left corner of the screen. Right-click and then select “System.” The next window will show you all of the basic specifications of your computer such as model number, CPU configuration, installed memory, etc.



Move the cursor to the left pane and select “Remote Settings.” Go under the “Remote Desktop” section and select “Allow Remote Connections to This Computer.”


By default, Windows restriction remote connection only to other computers with network level authentication. While this option is more secured, it limits who can remotely access your computer.

Allowing Remote Desktop through Firewall:

By default, Windows Firewall blocks Remote Desktop. Therefore, in order for Remote Desktop to work, you need to enable through Windows Firewall. To do this, right click the bottom-left corner of the screen and select “Run.” Type “Firewall.cpl” in the text field and click “OK.’


This will launch Windows Firewall. Go to the left pane and click “Allow and App or Feature through Windows Firewall.”


You will then see a list of devices that are disabled or enabled through Windows Firewall.  Click “Change Settings.” Scroll down and check “Remote Desktop” to allow remote access.


Accessing a Computer Remotely

Once you have enabled remote access, you can remotely connect to a computer. To do this, you need to run the Remote Desktop Connection application. Right-click the bottom left corner of the screen and click “Search.” Type “Remote” in the search field and select and “Remote Desktop Connection.” This will open the Remote Desktop application.


Enter the IP address or name of the computer and click “Connect.”

The disadvantages of Remote Desktop

While Remote Desktop Connection is indeed a useful feature, its functions are limited. For example, Remote Desktop is restricted to your local network.  What is more, you cannot use Remote Desktop to connect to professional or higher versions of Windows. To get around this issue, you can remotely access a computer through a virtual private network (VPN). Programs such as LogMeIn, GotoMyPC, and TeamViewer also allow you to do this.

Do you find any use for the Remote Desktop feature in Windows? Or do you prefer a third party software like TeamViewer to do the job?

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  1. Good blog like it

  2. Great post, it helped me out. The only thing I would like to note is: if you use a router, you will probably want to set up port forwarding for 3389 to the internal IP address of the remote computer (The IP you get when you run ‘ipconfig’ from the cmd prompt). A great free tool to help you (you’ll get an easier to remember name instead of IP Address) is no-ip ( This means you type “” as the computer to connect to instead of needing to keep track of its IP Address. Just keep their program running and that name will take you to your computer (Advisable to use a strong username/password on your remote computer).

  3. How many connection can be made remotely in one windows 8 PC.

  4. Hey, Praveen, you can access one remote computer using Windows 8 PC at one time using mstsc.exe. If you wish to access more than one computer at same time, you can use RHUB remote support appliances.

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