How to Enable and Use Remote Desktop on Windows 7 [Guide]

Can you use Remote Desktop with Windows 7? Absolutely! Windows 7 has a built-in Remote Desktop feature that lets you connect to and control another computer from afar.

To get it going, you need to make sure of a few things:

Get these sorted, and you're all set to control your PC from anywhere!

How to Enable Remote Desktop on Windows 7

Remote Desktop lets you use your PC from anywhere and do anything on it. This is useful for working remotely, fixing problems, or getting files. But first, you need to check some things.

Your PC must have Windows 7 Professional, Ultimate, or Enterprise. You also need a good internet connection.

Then, you need to do three things: turn on Remote Desktop in your PC settings, choose who can connect to your PC, and change your firewall settings to let remote connections happen.

By doing these steps, you can control your Windows 7 PC from any place and make it suit your needs, at home or work.

1Enable Remote Desktop in Remote Settings

Enabling Remote Desktop on Windows 7 involves a few simple steps:

Step 1: To start, click the button that says "Start" and open "Control Panel."

Step 2: Navigate to "System and Security," then click on "Allow remote access."

Step 3: Go to "Remote" settings on the left side of the screen — this will unveil the mysterious "System Properties" dialog box.

Step 4: Look for the "Remote" tab and click on it. You will see many choices. Find the one that says "Remote Desktop."

Step 5: Choose to "Allow connections from computers running any version of Remote Desktop."

Step 6: Select "Apply" and "OK" to save changes.

2Add Connected Users

By default, administrators of the local computer can connect via Remote Desktop. You can also specify who can connect with Remote Desktop enabled. Here's how you can add users who are allowed to connect:

Step 1: Navigate to the "Remote" tab under the "System Properties" dialog box. Click "Select Users."

Step 2: You can now search for and add users to the list of people who are authorized to connect.

3Allow Remote Desktop through Windows Firewall

When you consider enabling Remote Desktop through your Windows Firewall, some points should come to your attention:

Step 1: Go back to the "Control Panel" and select "Windows Firewall."

Step 2: Click "Allow a program or feature through Windows Firewall" on the left side.

Step 3: Click "Change settings" and scroll to find "Remote Desktop."

Step 4: Check the boxes next to "Remote Desktop" to allow it on private and public networks.

Step 5: Click "OK" to save these settings.

How to Connect to Windows 7 Using Remote Desktop

Before we connect to a Windows 7 PC using Remote Desktop, let's see why it's so useful.

With Remote Desktop, you can use your Windows 7 computer from any place, whether working from somewhere else, fixing problems from far away, or just getting files quickly.

So, get ready, and let's start using Remote Desktop. Take Windows 10 connecting to Windows 7 as an example.

1Open Remote Desktop Connection on Windows 10

Step 1: Press Win + S to open the search bar.

Step 2: Type "Remote Desktop Connection" and select it from the list.

Step 3: The Remote Desktop Connection window will pop up, providing the interface to establish a connection to a remote Windows 7 PC.

2Enter the Windows 7 Hostname or IP Address and Connect

Step 1: In the Remote Desktop Connection window, you must enter the hostname or IP address of the Windows 7 computer you want to connect to.

Step 2: After entering the necessary details, click on the "Connect" button.

Step 3: If prompted, you must enter the username and password for the Windows 7 machine to authenticate the connection.

Troubleshooting: Connecting Windows 10 to Windows 7

There are many users mentioning that remote connection from Windows 10 to Windows 7 is not working and seeking solutions on various forums. We are here to provide some troubleshooting tips to help you solve the problem.

Check the Computer Edition

Ensure that the Windows 7 PC is running either the Professional, Ultimate, or Enterprise editions, as these are the editions that support Remote Desktop. Windows 7 Home Edition can only initiate remote connection but not accept it.

Disable Sleep Mode

On the Windows 7 PC, navigate to "Control Panel" > "Hardware and Sound" > "Power Options."

Set the sleep settings to "Never" to ensure that the PC doesn't go to sleep, both when on battery power and when plugged in.

Add the Local Win 7 Account to the Remote Desktop Users Group

On the Windows 7 PC, open "Computer Management."

Navigate to "Local Users and Groups" > "Groups."

Double-click on "Remote Desktop Users," click "Add," and enter the username of the account you want to grant access to. Click "OK" to finalize.

Disconnect the VPN Connection

If a VPN connection is active on the Windows 10 PC, it could potentially interfere with Remote Desktop connections.

To disconnect from the VPN, go to "Settings" > "Network & Internet" > "VPN," select the active VPN connection, and click "Disconnect." This ensures a direct connection for the Remote Desktop.

Bonus: How to Enable RDP in Windows 7 Home?

There are many users who are struggling with the question of how to enable RDP in Windows 7 Home. Due to the limitations of the Remote Desktop tool built into Windows, remote access to Windows 7 Home is not doable.

The best solution is to use a Remote Desktop alternative, such as AirDroid Remote Support, which can remotely access and support computers with Windows 7 SP1 and above. It is easy to use and requires no additional configuration. Enjoy a seamless connectivity experience with only a 9-digit connection code.

Conclusion

In summary, implementing and operating Remote Desktop on Windows 7 can boost your work efficiency by creating a situation where you can easily reach your data from wherever you are.

The steps provided here should give you the confidence of a hassle-free, secure connection— make sure that you also observe security considerations and involve your IT department in case any roadblocks are hindering your progress.

With Remote Desktop, geographical boundaries no longer limit you: it allows you access to anything anytime from any place. Seize this opportunity and exploit your Windows 7 setup to its fullest potential!