How to enable Remote Administration in Windows?

Enabling Remote Administration in Windows lets you manage a system from a different location, which is super handy for IT admins and remote users. Whether you're on Windows 10 or 11, this guide will take you through the key steps to activate Remote Desktop, set up user access, tweak firewall settings, and make sure your connection is both reliable and secure.

For Windows 10 and Windows 11:

1. Open System Properties:
   • You can do this by pressing the Windows key + Pause/Break, or by right-clicking on "This PC" or "My Computer" on your desktop or in File Explorer, then selecting "Properties."
   • Alternatively, just search for "System" in the Start menu and click on it.
2. Access Remote Settings:
   • Once you're in the System window, look for "Remote settings" on the left sidebar and click on it.
3. Enable Remote Desktop:
   • In the "Remote Desktop" section, tick the box that says "Allow Remote Assistance connections to this computer."
   • For Remote Desktop, make sure to check "Allow remote connections to this computer." If you want to permit connections from any version of Remote Desktop, uncheck the option that says "Allow connections only from computers running Remote Desktop with Network Level Authentication."
4. Configure Users:
   
   • Click on "Select Users" to choose which users can connect to this computer remotely. If there are no users listed, you’ll need to add some here. Usually, administrators have this access by default.
5. Firewall Configuration:
   • Open Windows Defender Firewall with Advanced Security:
     • Type "Windows Defender Firewall" in the Start menu and select "Windows Defender Firewall with Advanced Security."
   • Make sure that the "Remote Desktop" and "Remote Desktop - User Mode (TCP-In)" rules are enabled for both Public and Private networks, depending on your setup.
6. Check Network Settings:
   • Ensure your network settings allow for remote connections. If you're behind a router, you might need to set up port forwarding for Remote Desktop (the default port is 3389).

Additional Notes:

• When it comes to remote access, there are a few important security considerations to keep in mind. First off, enabling this feature can put your computer at risk, so it's crucial to use strong passwords. You might also want to think about using a VPN for an extra layer of protection, and only grant access to users or networks you trust.
• If you decide to go with Network Level Authentication (NLA), it adds another security layer by verifying the user before a full Remote Desktop connection is made.

Once everything is set up, you’ll be able to access your Windows machine remotely from another Windows computer. Just open the Remote Desktop Connection app and enter the computer's IP address or hostname.

Keep in mind, if you're trying to connect from outside your local network, you'll need the public IP address of the computer you're connecting to and make sure your router is set up to forward the Remote Desktop port to the right internal IP.