Is Remote Desktop Connection good?
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The Windows Remote Desktop Connection tool gives users the ability to connect to a remote Windows PC or server over the internet or on a local network, giving them full access to the tools and software installed on it. This is made possible by Microsoft’s own Remote Desktop Protocol (or RDP for short). All Windows PCs and servers can use RDP to connect to another Windows device, but only certain versions of Windows allow RDP connections. This proprietary protocol rivals the open-source Virtual Network Computing (VNC) protocol commonly used on Linux and other platforms. What is RDP?The Remote Desktop Protocol allows remote users to see and use Windows on a device in another location. Key peripherals like your keyboard and mouse are shared with the remote machine, allowing you to use and control it as if you were sat right in front of it. For RDP connections to work, you need two components—an RDP server and an RDP client. A typical RDP server is the Windows PC or server you’re connecting to and will control. The client is a PC or mobile device with an RDP client app installed, from which you control the server. Microsoft offers its own client for Windows, macOS, Android, and iOS, with various third-party options available for Linux and other platforms. RDP is a Windows-only protocol, and you can only establish remote connections using RDP with Windows PCs and Windows Server installations that support it. Not all versions of Windows do—Windows 10 Home, for instance, can only be used as a client to connect to other Windows Remote Desktops, not the other way around. You can only establish a single connection to Windows PCs that have remote desktop enabled. To connect multiple users at once, you’ll need a Windows server with the Remote Desktop Services (RDS) component installed and enabled. If you want to establish RDP connections to a secure enterprise network from a remote location, you’ll also need the Remote Desktop Gateway service installed and configured on a suitable Windows Server installation. This also offers increased security, replacing the need for an internal virtual private network (VPN). How to enable Remote Desktop connections on WindowsTo use RDP to connect to another Windows PC or server, you’ll first need to enable it on the remote server or PC. Thankfully, configuring Windows to enable Remote Desktop is a fairly straightforward process. To enable Remote Desktop on Windows PCs:
Tips for establishing secure Windows Remote Desktop connectionsAny kind of remote desktop solution opens a hole that can potentially be exploited. RDP is no different, and the RDP port (port 3389) is well known and regularly scanned for exploits. If you plan to use Windows Remote Desktop over the internet, you need a strategy in place to secure it. Enterprise users can use Remote Desktop Gateways to help provide a secure way to connect to an RDP server, but standard Windows users don’t have this luxury. Instead, you’ll need to use some common-sense solutions to establish secure RDP connections. Some tips for establishing a secure RDP connection include:
Connecting to a Remote Desktop on WindowsAll Windows PC and Windows Servers have the Remote Desktop Connection tool available as part of the default installation. That includes older versions of Windows such as Windows 7 and 8. If you want to connect to a Windows Remote Desktop using another Windows PC, you can use this tool. If you’re connecting to another PC on your local network, you’ll need to find the local IP address or hostname first. You can do this by clicking Windows Settings > Network & Internet > View your network properties to view information about your Remote Desktop PC, including the hostname and local IP address. You’ll need to know the ISP-issued IP address for your internet connection if you’ve accepted the risks and you’re connecting to a Windows Remote Desktop over the internet. Just Google search “what’s my IP” to find it. For secure, enterprise networks, you’ll also need to know the RD gateway address. To connect to a Windows Remote Desktop on another Windows PC or server:
Connecting to a Windows Remote Desktop on macOSMicrosoft offers its own Remote Desktop app for macOS, which can be installed from the App Store. The interface for the Microsoft Remote Desktop app is similar to the iOS and Android clients offered by Microsoft for mobile users, so many of the steps below will be similar on those platforms. To connect to a Windows Remote Desktop using the Microsoft Remote Desktop app on macOS:
What are the best RDP Alternatives?As we’ve mentioned, RDP connections generally require a Windows element, and while third-party RDP servers like xrdp do exist for platforms like Linux, these are generally inferior to other remote connection tools like VNC.
What should you look for in an alternative to RDP? We reviewed the market for remote desktop software like RDP and analyzed the options based on the following criteria:
Some alternative free remote desktop tools, as well as paid options, use other protocols to view and control a remote PC or server. A selection of some of the best alternative tools for remote connections on all major platforms are:
Using RDP, VNC or another remote desktop protocolIt doesn’t matter whether you use RDP, VNC, or another remote desktop protocol to connect to a remote PC. A seamless experience is what matters, and for most Windows users, using RDP with the Windows Remote Desktop Connection tool will offer the simplest and smoothest experience for remote working. That doesn’t mean it’s necessarily the best option. Other free remote desktop tools like TeamViewer are easy to install and use, while SolarWinds Dameware is great for enterprise users, especially for multiple clients. Which is your favorite remote desktop tool? Let us know in the comments below. |