Can’t Connect Remote Desktop to Windows 7- How to Fix?

Remote Desktop feature helps to take control of other computers and work as you are sitting front of them. When it comes to Windows 7, you can’t connect remote desktop to windows 7 very easily because of security settings. This article explains how you can enable remote desktop connection in windows 7, so all versions including windows XP computer users can connect remotely to windows 7.

Check the following check lists to enable remote desktop in windows 7 for all versions of Windows.

1) Allow Connection for All versions.

By default, remote desktop is disabled in Windows 7. To Enable it, Right click on My Computer, select Properties.

Got go Remote Settings as shown below.

Two options are available to enable remote desktop in windows 7. See more details below.

Select Allow connections from computers running any version of Remote Desktop to allow people using any version of Remote Desktop or RemoteApp to connect to your computer. This is a good choice if you don’t know the version of Remote Desktop Connection that other people are using, but it is less secure than the third option.

Select Allow connections only from computers running Remote Desktop with Network Level Authentication to allow people with computers running versions of Remote Desktop or RemoteApp with Network Level Authentication to connect to your computer. This is the most secure choice if you know that the people who will connect to your computer are running Windows 7 on their computers. (In Windows 7, Remote Desktop uses Network Level Authentication.)

I’m sure when you can’t Connect Remote Desktop to Windows 7, you are trying from Windows XP or Windows Vista or its not enabled in Windows 7 computer. So, select second option which will allow from other versions of windows.

You will get a warning message saying this computer set to sleep or hibernation mode, it’s ok.

2) Allow Remote Desktop Connection in Windows 7 Firewall.

By default Remote desktop connections are blocked in Windows 7 firewall. But, once you enable Remote desktop connection in first step, it automatically enables in firewall also. To make sure whether remote desktop connections are enabled in windows 7 firewall, go to Windows Firewall in control panel.

Click on Allow programs… option as shown below.

In next screen you can see which programs are allowed or not allowed in Windows Firewall.

Remote Desktop is enabled in Private and Public networks in Windows 7. To change any options here, first press ‘Change Settings’ button and change.

Remote Desktop connection works with RDP traffic on TCP 3389 port.

3) Allowed Remote Desktop Users

This is also one of the reason you should consider when Can’t Connect Remote Desktop to Windows 7.

If domain setup in place on your network, allowed remote desktop users work according to group policy and permissions. By default local administrators group, and remote desktop users group have rights to connect Remote desktop. Make sure the user name you are trying to connect windows 7 is in appropriate access group.

4) Remote Desktop Services in Windows 7

All services related to Remote desktop are disabled in windows 7 by default. Once you enable remote desktop (as mentioned in first step),three services will start automatically in windows 7 computer. These services should be up and run to give access remote desktop connection and users.  If you can’t Connect Remote Desktop to Windows 7, then you must check theses services also.

Go to Computer management, then Services. Look for following services and make sure it’s started.

The above steps will help to fix remote desktop connection to Windows 7. I’m sure you would have tried as a first check your network connectivity, and then try above steps.

Share your comments and difficulties on Remote desktop connectivity with Windows 7.