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How to Enable RDP on Windows Server 2016 ?

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How to Enable RDP on Windows Server 2016 ?

RDP- Remote Desktop Protocol could be a protocol that enables users to connect and manage another computer or server graphically via an existing network creating it a remote connection. Basically, it’s referred as Remote Desktop Connection (mstsc.exe).

In this article, we are going to walk you through enabling the RDP on Windows Server 2016. Let’s see, the way to enable remote desktop protocol on your windows server?

Prerequisites

  • A Server with Windows Server 2016

Enable Remote Desktop with a Graphical User interface

Step 1: Click on the Start menu and Open Server Manager as shown below in the below image.

If Server Manager isn’t seen here, then simply type “Server Manager” into the start menu to find it. By default Server Manager gets open after you log in to the GUI, otherwise you’ll be able to also choose it from the taskbar.

Step 2: Afterward, within the Server Manager window, choose Local Server, you will need to wait sometime for it to detect the current state of your system. Once it’s done, you’ll be able to see that Remote Desktop is listed as Disabled.

Step 3: Click on the Disabled text which is able to open the System Properties window.

Step 4: From the System Properties window, choose the “Allow remote connections to this Computer” option and Untick the checkbox as shown in the image.

Step 5: when selecting the “Allow remote connections option” the below warning prompt can seem, advising that this can create the desired firewall rules in Windows firewall to permit remote desktop traffic in from any source address, then click on OK to proceed to the next step.

Step 6: Click on the OK choice to close the System Properties window and enable remote desktop.

Step 7: Return to the Server Manager, check the Remote Desktop possibility, it’s going to still show as Disabled till you refresh it. Click on the refresh sign or press F5 on the keyboard, once you refresh it you’ll be able to see the status as Enabled.

Woohoo!!! The remote desktop is currently Enabled and prepared to use!

Note: The on top of steps can be performed into a Command Prompt or PowerShell terminal.

To Enable Remote Desktop With PowerShell use following process:

PowerShell cmdlet used for enabling remote desktop, we are able to use the Set-ItemPropery cmdlet to alter the set value that enables or disables Remote Desktop:

Command:

Set-ItemProperty -Path ‘HKLM:\System\CurrentControlSet\Control\Terminal Server’ -name “fDenyTSConnections” -value 0

Once done you’ll be able to use the ‘Enable-NetFirewallRule’ to configure Windows Firewall to enable remote desktop connections:

Use the below command-

Enable-NetFirewallRule -DisplayGroup “Remote Desktop”

Now, the Remote Desktop is accessible in Windows Server 2016.