How to remote desktop into windows server

Solved! How to Enable Remote Desktop (RDP) on Windows Server 2016

Hi there! This is Darren from Darren’s Tech Tutorials, and if you’ve been trying to connect remotely to your Windows Server 2016 instance only to be greeted by frustrating connection errors, you are definitely not alone. This is one of the most common stumbling blocks system administrators face when setting up a new server.

The issue? Windows Server 2016 disables Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP) connections by default for security.

But don’t worry—the fix is incredibly quick and easy! In this guide, we’ll walk through exactly how to flip that switch using the Server Manager, ensuring you can connect securely and seamlessly every time.

The Default Problem: Why Your RDP Connection Fails

Before we dive into the fix, let’s quickly look at what happens when you try to connect before RDP is enabled.

When you use the Remote Desktop Connection application on your host machine and input your server’s IP address, the connection attempt immediately fails. You might see messages suggesting the remote computer is unavailable, or that the firewall blocked the connection.

While the firewall is sometimes a factor, in the case of a fresh Windows Server 2016 installation, the main culprit is the Remote Desktop setting being explicitly disabled. Let’s get it working!

The Step-by-Step Guide to Enabling RDP

We will use the built-in Server Manager tool on your Windows Server 2016 machine to adjust the settings. Follow these steps carefully:

Step 1: Open Server Manager

First, log directly into your Windows Server 2016 machine (either physically or via the console/virtual machine interface).

1. Click on the Start Menu.
2. Click on Server Manager.

Wait a few moments for the Server Manager dashboard to fully load.

Step 2: Navigate to Local Server Settings

In the left-hand navigation pane of the Server Manager dashboard, you will see several options.

1. Click on Local Server.

This view shows a summary of all the key configuration parameters for your specific machine (like the Computer Name, Firewall status, and Remote settings).

Step 3: Enable Remote Desktop Access

In the Properties section of the Local Server view, look for the entry labeled Remote Desktop. By default, it will show the status as Disabled.

1. Click on the word Disabled next to Remote Desktop.
2. A new configuration window, “System Properties,” will open. Navigate to the Remote tab (it should open here automatically).
3. Under the Remote Desktop section, check the box that says: Allow remote connections to this computer.

Step 4: Apply and Confirm

Once you check the box, you may receive a warning related to Windows Firewall exceptions, but generally, selecting the option is sufficient to make the necessary changes.

1. Click Apply.
2. Click OK.

You should now see the status in the Server Manager dashboard update from Disabled to Enabled.

Verification: Connecting Successfully

That’s all there is to it! With the setting applied, you can now return to your host machine and attempt the RDP connection once more.

1. Minimize the Server Manager on your server.
2. Return to your host machine and launch the Remote Desktop Connection client.
3. Input your server’s IP address or hostname and click Connect.

If successful, you will be prompted for your username and password—a key indicator that the RDP connection handshake worked! After entering your credentials, you will be logged into your Windows Server 2016 machine remotely.

Congratulations! You’ve successfully enabled RDP and cracked the secret to seamless remote management.

We hope this quick tutorial saved you time and frustration. Remote management is essential for effective systems administration, and enabling RDP is the first big step!

Did this video help you connect? Let us know in the comments below! If you found this useful, please hit the like button and subscribe to Darren’s Tech Tutorials for more quick, easy, and essential tech fixes! Thanks for watching!