[How-to] 4 Ways to Enable Remote Desktop on Windows Server 2022

How do I enable RDP on Server 2022?

On Windows Server 2022, enabling Remote Desktop allows you to access your device from a different location using the Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP). This feature facilitates offering assistance or controlling a device without the need to be physically present at its location. By default, Remote Desktop is disabled on Windows Server 2022. To remotely access a Server 2022 machine, you must first enable Remote Desktop on it.

4 ways to enable Remote Desktop on Windows Server 2022

There are four practical methods available to enable Remote Desktop on Windows Server 2022, allowing you to choose the one that best suits your preference.

Way 1. Enable Windows Remote Desktop on Server 2022 from Server Manager

Step 1. Log in to Windows Server 2022 using a local administrator account.

Step 2. Type “Server Manager” in the search box and double-click the pop-up item to open "Server Manager".

Step 3. Click “Local Server” and find out “Remote Desktop”.

Step 4. Then, click “Disabled” and you’ll be in the “System Properties” window. 

Step 5.  Choose “Allow remote connections to this computer”.

Step 6. A message saying that "Remote Desktop Firewall exception will be enabled" pops up and you can click “OK” to allow Remote Desktop through firewall.

Step 7 (Omissible). Click “Select Users” button; click “Add” button and you’ll see “Select Users” window.

Step 8(Omissible). Type the user name you want to add and click “OK”. Or you can click  “Advanced” button to select the user from the list.

Step 9. Click “OK” to save the change and exit from “System Properties” window.

Way 2. Enable Windows Remote Desktop on Server 2022 from Control Panel

Step 1. Type “Control Panel” in the search box and double-click the pop-up option to open Control Panel.

Step 2. In the “Control Panel” window, click “System and Security”.

Step 3. Then, click “Allow remote access” and you can access the "System Properties" Window and subsequent operations are the same as Way 1. 

 Way 3. Enable Windows Server 2022 Remote Desktop from Run dialogue

Step 1. Press “Windows” + “R”, input “sysdm.cpl” and press "Enter".

Step 2. The “System Properties” window pops up and you can click the “Remote” tab. Then, you can see the “Allow remote connections to this computer” option and enable Sever RDP with the same operations in Way 1. 

Way 4. Enable Remote Desktop on Windows Server 2022 via PowerShell

Step 1. Press "Windows" + "X" and choose “Windows PowerShell (Admin)” to run PowerShell as administrator.

Step 2. To allow remote connections, type the command line below and hit "Enter".

✐ “Set-ItemProperty -Path 'HKLM:\System\CurrentControlSet\Control\Terminal Server' -name "fDenyTSConnections" -value 0”.

Step 3. To make Windows Firewall allow RDP, type the following command line and hit "Enter".

✐ “Enable-NetFirewallRule -DisplayGroup "Remote Desktop".

Step 4. Now you have enabled  Remote Desktop on Windows Server 2022 via PowerShell.

How to install Remote Desktop Services on Windows Server 2022

After Remote Desktop is enabled on Windows Server 2022, you can access and manage the server remotely. If you want to allow multiple users to access it at the same time, you need to install Remote Desktop Services (RDS, which is removed on Server 2022 by default. Here are the detailed steps:

Step 1. Log in to Server 2022 using a local administrator account.

Step 2. Go to Server Manager; choose “Add roles and features” and click “Next”.

Step 3. On the Select installation type page, choose Role-based or feature-based installation and click Next.

Step 4. On Select Destination window, select the server, and click “Next”.

Step 5. On Select Server Roles window, choose “Remote Desktop Services”.

Step 6. Check “Remote Desktop Session Host” and follow the prompts to finish the RDS installation.

Step 7. Restart Windows Server 2022.

How to remote desktop Windows Server 2022 from another device

If you're unsure how to remote desktop to Server 2022 after enabling RDP, continue reading! Below are instructions on how to remote desktop to Server 2022 from Windows, Linux, macOS, iOS, and Android.

▶ From a computer that is running Windows:

Step 1. Press "Windows" + "R", input "mstsc" and hit Enter to open Remote Desktop Connection window. 

Step 2. In the window, type in the IP address of Windows Server 200 and click "Connect". 

Step 3. Do as the Windows login prompts to complete remote access. 

▶ From a computer that is running Linux:

Step 1. On your Linux computer used for remote access to the Windows PC, open Remmina. Enter the IP address of your Windows computer and press Enter.

Step 2. Enter your username and password when prompted, then click "OK".

Step 3. If prompted to accept the certificate, select "OK".

Step 4. You should now be able to view the desktop of your Windows Server 2022 computer.

▶ From a computer that is running Mac OS 

Step 1. Download and install Microsoft Remote Desktop from the Mac App Store.

Step 2. Click the "New“ button and fill in the necessary information, including PC name (IP address of the Windows Server), username, password, etc. Then, close this window.

Step 3. Under "My Desktops", choose the Server and press "Start" to access the Server. 

▶ From iOS device

Step 1. Download and open RD iOS client. 

Step 2. Click the “+”  and select “Add PC” in the pop-up window.

Step 3.  Click “PC name”. Enter the hostname or IP address of the Server.

Step 4. Click “User Account”. If you often need to control a PC from iPhone remotely, it is recommended that you select “Add User Account”.

Step 5. Back to the main interface and click the IP address icon just created, enter the credentials of the laptop in the pop-up window, and click “Continue”.

Step 7. Then you have remotely accessed Windows Server from iOS device. 

▶ From Android device

Step 1. Download Microsoft Remote Desktop from Google Play and run it

Step 2.  Tap “+” icon and wait for the app to scan for the remote PC. Then, choose the one that you want to access.

Step 4. If there is no PC appearing, tap “Add Manually”. Then, you’ll be in a window that is labeled “Add desktop”.

Step 5. You can type the computer name or IP address of the host PC under PC name. Under user name, type the username and password after choosing “Add user account”.

Step 6. Expand “Show additional options” and you can change settings or leave them alone. Then, click “Save”.

Further reading: Windows Server 2022 Remote Desktop alternative

Enabling Remote Desktop on Windows Server 2022 is relatively straightforward. However, if you encounter Windows Server 2022 RDP isn't working issue or seek a simpler and more comprehensive remote desktop solution, consider using AnyViewer.

AnyViewer allows you to gain complete control over the remote computer, view its screen, initiate shutdown or reboot with a single click after assigning the device to an AnyViewer account. During remote sessions, you can engage in chat with the remote user, chat with texts, sync remote sound, and seamlessly transfer files between the local and remote machines.

What's noteworthy is that you don't need to configure port forwarding, even if the computers are on the same network. Click the button below to try AnyViewer now.

Now, see how to use AnyViewer to access Windows Server 2022. 

Step 1. Download, install, and run AnyViewer on the Windows Server 2022 machine. Create an AnyViewer account and log into it. 

Step 2. On your local device, download, install, and run AnyViewer. Log into the same account. Once logged into an AnyViewer account, the device will be assigned to the account automatically.

Step 3. Go to "Device" and locate the Windows Server 2022 machine. Click it and click “One-click control”. 

Step 4. Now, you can see the remote Server 2022 device's screen and operate it from a distant place as if you were sitting in front of the Server. 

Notes:
☞ One-click control is available only between assigned devices. Free account supports assigning devices up to 3. To assign more devices, you can choose Professional or Enterprise plan.
☞ To access a PC from Android/iOS devices, it's recommended to download AnyViewer iOS app from App Store or Android app from Google Play.

Conclusion

In conclusion, enabling Remote Desktop on Windows Server 2022 opens up a world of possibilities for remote access and management. With multiple methods available, including via Server Manager, Control Panel, Run dialogue, or PowerShell, users can choose the most convenient approach.

For those seeking an alternative solution, AnyViewer offers comprehensive remote desktop capabilities without the need for port forwarding. Embrace the flexibility and convenience of remote access with Windows Server 2022.