How to Check If Remote Desktop Is Enabled

Why need to enable Remote Desktop?

Remote Desktop(RDP) is a Windows built-in feature that allows you to remotely access a PC from another PC on the same network. Some users may wonder, why I need to enable Remote Desktop before starting remote connections. Generally, the feature must be enabled on the host computer before the operation, otherwise, the remote server cannot be accessed successfully.

How do “I” know if Remote Desktop is enabled on Windows 10/11, 8, and 7?

When Remote Desktop not working, you can refer to 3 ways listed on how to check if Remote Desktop is enabled on Windows 10, 11, 8, and 7. Now follow me to operate.

Way 1. Check if RDP is enabled by running sysdm.cpl

Step 1. Press Win + R and then input sysdm.cpl, hit the Enter key.

Step 2. Locate the "Remote" tab to see the related Remote Desktop settings.

Step 3. Check if the Remote Desktop feature is enabled by seeing if the "Allow connections to this computer" is selected.

Way 2. Check if RDP is enabled via Settings

Apart from that, on Windows 11, 10, you can also do as follows to check whether RDP is enabled.

Step 1. Press "Win + I" to open Settings.

Step 2. Click on "System" > "Remote Desktop".

Step 3. If the Enable Remote Desktop toggle switch is turned on, then the Remote Desktop is enabled on the remote PC.

Way 3. Check if RDP is enabled by running Registry Editor

Step 1. Press Win + R and then input regedit, hit the Enter key.

Step 2. Navigate to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Terminal Server or to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows NT\Terminal Services

If the value of the fDenyTSConnections key is 0, then RDP is enabled.

If the value of the fDenyTSConnections key is 1, then RDP is disabled.

Bonus tip: How to use Remote Desktop to access PC

If the remote PC is successfully enabled, then you can start the remote connection via RDP now. Here in this part, the concrete steps will be shown for you. Keep reading!

Step 1. In the PC that you use to control another PC, input “remote desktop connection”, and double-click "Remote Desktop Connection" to open it.

Step 2. Now, you’ll be in Remote Desktop Connection. Type the PC name or the IP address of the remote PC and click "Connect". 

Step 3. Then, you’ll be asked to input the password and user name and the password of the host PC to connect to it. After controlling the remote computer, you can take operations just like you were sitting in front of that PC.

Get remote connections with a few clicks-- AnyViewer

Now you must figure out how to check if Remote Desktop is enabled on Windows 10, 11, 10, 8, and 7. However, we know that 2 PCs need to be on the same LAN when you need to get a remote connection with RDP, otherwise, you have to perform port forwarding. And it’s inevitable to meet with RDP not working issue, which is fairly annoying for the RDP users.

Under this circumstance, it is highly recommended to have remote access software to help you easily access remote computers over LAN or the Internet, like AnyViewer. AnyViewer's remote connection, unlike RDP, is not limited to the same LAN, and you can get remote access at any time and from any location. The operation of AnyViewer is relatively simple, and the connection speed is fast. Despite your lack of computer experience, you can perform admirably. And you can also transfer files between two remote computers with AnyViewer.

Step 1. On the PC that you want to control from another computer (the host computer), install and run AnyViewer; click Log in and click Sign up.

Step 2.  Filling all the necessary information to create an AnyViewer account and then you'll log in to AnyViewer. The device will be assigned to the account automatically be assigned to the account and shown on the My devices list.

Step 3. On your local PC, log in to the same account as the remote PC and then go to Device. Locate the distant computer, click it, and choose One-click control to get a one-click remote connection.

✍ Note: To access in privacy mode (backing the screen of the remote PC and disabling its physical keyboard & mouse) to prevent it from being viewed or used by others, you can upgrade to an AnyViewer advanced plan.  After that, you can enjoy more privileges, including assigning more computers for secure one-click unattended access, high-quality image, etc.

Conclusion

This page includes instructions on how to check if Remote Desktop is enabled as well as ways to RDP to a server. However, AnyViewer may be your best option if you run into problems or if two PCs are not connected to the same LAN.