Troubleshooting Remote Desktop Issues on Windows 10
Connecting remotely to a Windows 10 computer using Microsoft Remote Desktop can be extremely convenient. However, we may encounter frustrating user account issues that prevent us from accessing our devices. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll walk through the most common Remote Desktop problems on Windows 10 and provide actionable solutions to get back up and running.
Using a Microsoft Account for Remote Desktop
One of the most frequent issues arises when attempting to use a Microsoft account to connect via Remote Desktop. By default, Windows 10 only permits local accounts with blank passwords to log in remotely. So if we try using our Microsoft username and password, we’ll get an error like "Error code: 0xc07" and be unable to continue.
Luckily, there’s a simple registry tweak we can make to allow Microsoft accounts to connect through Remote Desktop:
How do I enable remote desktop in Windows 10?
Select the System group followed by the Remote Desktop item. Use the slider to enable Remote Desktop. It is also recommended to keep the PC awake and discoverable to facilitate connections. Click Show settings to enable. As needed, add users who can connect remotely by clicking Select users that can remotely access this PC .
Does Windows XP have remote desktop?
Remote Desktop was included by Microsoft with the release of Windows XP in 2001 and, since then, every version of Windows has included Microsoft’s Remote Desktop. When you activate this program, you’ll see and interact with your actual Windows computer remotely. For example, you may have a Windows 10 computer at your home or office.
- Press Windows+R to open the Run dialog box.
- Type "secpol.msc" and hit Enter to launch Local Security Policy.
- Expand Local Policies > Security Options.
- Double click "Accounts: Limit local account use of blank passwords to console logon only."
- Change the setting to "Disabled" and click OK.
Now our Microsoft account credentials should work when connecting via Remote Desktop. Keep in mind we’ll need to provide the Microsoft account password here, not the local password.
Checking Remote Desktop Settings
Another obvious but easy to overlook issue is that Remote Desktop needs to be enabled on the target Windows 10 computer. We can verify this quickly:
- Right click the Start menu and select System.
- Navigate to the Remote tab.
- Confirm the "Allow Remote Assistance connections to this computer" option is checked.
If Remote Desktop is disabled, simply check the box here to turn it on. This allows inbound RDP connections.
It’s also worth checking whether our local network firewall allows RDP traffic through port 3389. We can check by navigating to Windows Defender Firewall > Advanced Settings > Inbound Rules. There should be a rule named "Remote Desktop" that permits connections. If not, we can create a new Inbound Rule to allow them.
Can I connect to a remote computer using Windows 10 home?
You can’t connect to computers running a Home edition (like Windows 10 Home). To connect to a remote PC, that computer must be turned on, it must have a network connection, Remote Desktop must be enabled, you must have network access to the remote computer (this could be through the Internet), and you must have permission to connect.
Does Windows Remote Desktop work over the Internet?
By default, Windows Remote Desktop will only work on your local network. To access Remote Desktop over the Internet, you’ll need to use a VPN or forward ports on your router. We’ve covered several solutions for accessing your desktop remotely over the Internet.
How do I access my PC from a remote device?
The simplest way to allow access to your PC from a remote device is using the Remote Desktop options under Settings. Since this functionality was added in the Windows 10 Fall Creators update (1709), a separate downloadable app is also available that provides similar functionality for earlier versions of Windows.
Local Account Credentials
When connecting to a remote Windows 10 computer, we’ll need to provide valid credentials. This is another common source of login issues.
Double check that the username and password we’re entering are 100% correct. Keep in mind these credentials need to belong to a local user account on the remote computer, not just a Microsoft account.
If we don’t already have a local user, we can easily create one:
- Open Settings and go to Accounts > Family & other users.
- Select "Add someone else to this PC."
- Click "I don’t have this person’s sign-in information" and select "Add a user without a Microsoft account."
- Create the new local user account with a strong password.
Now we can log into this account remotely using Remote Desktop.
Forcing an Account Re-sync
In some cases, our Microsoft account credentials may become out of sync between the local and remote machine. We can force them to re-sync using the following steps:
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Open Command Prompt as Administrator.
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Type the command:
runas /u:MicrosoftAccount\[[email protected]] cmd.exe -
This will prompt us to re-enter the account password and initiate a re-sync.
How do I enable remote access in Windows 10?
The Windows 10 firewall blocks any remote connections by default. It needs to be enabled and allowed through the firewall for a successful Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP) connection. There are 2 ways to enable remote desktop connection in Windows 10. Open the Control Panel, click System and Security, and then click Allow remote access under System.
How do I access remote desktop over the Internet?
To access Remote Desktop over the Internet, you’ll need to use a VPN or forward ports on your router. We’ve covered several solutions for accessing your desktop remotely over the Internet. However, if you have a Professional, Enterprise, or Ultimate edition of Windows, you already have the full Windows Remote Desktop installed.
What if Remote Desktop options are not available?
If the remote desktop options are not available, see Check whether a Group Policy Object is blocking RDP. Follow this section’s instructions carefully. Serious problems can occur if the registry is modified incorrectly. Before you start modifying the registry, back up the registry so you can restore it in case something goes wrong.
Now try connecting via Remote Desktop again using the Microsoft account. The credentials should work properly after completing the re-sync.
Switching Account Types
As a last resort, we can attempt to resolve stubborn account issues by switching between Microsoft accounts and local accounts.
First, link our Microsoft account to a local account:
- Open Settings > Accounts.
- Select "Sign in with a local account instead."
- Link the local account to the Microsoft account when prompted.
Test connecting via Remote Desktop with the local account.
If that doesn’t work, switch back:
- Open Settings > Accounts.
- Choose "Sign in with a Microsoft account instead."
- Relink the Microsoft account.
Hopefully after flipping between account types, Remote Desktop will start functioning normally again.
How do I connect to a remote computer?
To connect to a remote computer, it must be running a version of Windows that includes the Remote Desktop software. Additionally, when connecting to a remote computer, the computer must be turned on, enjoy an active network connection, and have the Remote Desktop feature enabled.
Does Windows 10 home support Remote Desktop connections?
The RDP Wrapper Library also provides an interface to manage remote desktop connections, as Windows 10 Home doesn’t have an integrated solution. Here’s how you allow remote desktop connections on Windows 10 Home and Windows 11 Home using RDP Wrapper Library: Head to the RDP Wrapper Library GitHub Releases page.
How do I use remote desktop on Windows 10?
This article explains how to set up and use Remote Desktop with Windows 10, Mac, Android, and iOS devices, plus includes troubleshooting information to help avoid problems. To use Remote Desktop on Windows 10, enable it within the computer’s settings; this action will then allow other computers to remotely connect to your computer to gain access.
Smooth Sailing with Remote Desktop
With the troubleshooting tips above, we can resolve nearly all of the most common Remote Desktop errors on Windows 10. User account issues don’t have to stop us from remotely accessing our devices. By double checking settings, creating local accounts, and forcing account re-syncs, we’ll be back up and running in no time.
For more assistance with Remote Desktop or other Windows 10 issues, join the conversation with other tech enthusiasts in our forums. We look forward to connecting with you!
