Looking to access your desktop remotely, but using a VPN for additional security? That’s a wise choice because there would be no additional protection when connecting from one machine to another. That’s because Windows Remote Desktop is reserved for a Local Area Network, where devices are relatively close-by and can also be physically accessed if need be. Getting a chance to connect from one PC to another via the Internet is certainly possible, and if you read about how VPN works, you’ll know it’s not too risky an endeavor. Without further ado, here’s how to remote desktop through VPN on Windows.
What is a remote desktop?
A remote desktop is a program that allows users to connect to a PC remotely. It enables the user to access a PC as if they were there. A remote desktop is pretty useful as it can help users deal with a multitude of problems.
How does it work?
The premise behind this tech is pretty simple. The software captures the input from a mouse and keyboard and relays it to the remote PC. On that PC, it records the output and shows it to the connected user. One sought-after use of this software is when tech support applies remote desktop to solve issues on a client PC.
Here is a video from Kevin Stratvert that explains the working of the Chrome Remote Desktop (a popular remote desktop tool) –
Why do you need a Remote Desktop?
There are many applications of a remote desktop, such as:
- Accessing a workplace PC while traveling or when at home.
- Fixing computer problems.
- Presentation purposes.
- For demonstration
- Aiding with a task on a recipient’s PC.
- File transfer and sharing
- Printing documents from a remote PC.
- Accessing restricted content from anywhere.
- Aiding WFH
- Restricting access to particular applications and software.
What are the prerequisites?
To be able to Remote Desktop through VPN on Windows, you have 4 options:
- You must have a router with VPN capabilities to make your own VPN server.
- If you don’t have a router that natively supports VPN, there is a workaround on routers that support DD-WRT, OpenWrt, and third-party firmware. They can be flashed with a new operating system (firmware) to make them support a VPN. It’s not a beginner-friendly solution and risks bricking the router.
- You can build a VPN in other ways than using your VPN-enabled router. We’ll publish a detailed guide on this option soon.
- You can buy a VPN, which might be the easiest option if you’re a beginner. This not only allows you to skip setting up a VPN server to hide your IP but also to change your virtual location to a server in a different country.
Steps to Enable remote connection on the target PC
To remote desktop in Windows (even without a VPN), you need to have a Windows 10 Pro license. To allow the server PC to be accessed remotely, follow these steps:
- Right-click on the Windows Start button.
You can also press the Windows key on your keyboard (Between Left Control (Ctrl) and Left Alt). - Click on System.
- Write down your Device name (under the About menu).
- Switch over to the Remote Desktop option in the menu on the left.
- Toggle the switch in front of Enable Remote Desktop.
- Click Confirm.
Got a VPN server already?
If you already bought access to a VPN server from one of the VPN providers, simply go ahead and setup a VPN on Windows using the information provided. The same applies to connecting to a Windows PC in your school, university, or workplace. Ask the IT department for VPN information and the VPN protocol they use. Both the client PC (the one you use to connect) and the target (server) PC must be connected to the same VPN server. You can skip straight to the Connect to the target PC via Remote Desktop part of the guide after you establish a VPN connection on both.
Setting up your own VPN server via router
Windows natively support L2TP/IPSec, PPTP, SSTP, and IKEv2 security protocols, so it’s just a matter of what your router supports. We don’t recommend PPTP, since it’s outdated and obsolete. We would advise you to create a VPN Server on a router using OpenVPN. It’s a modern VPN protocol that’s very secure and reliable. Plus, it is available for all major operating systems, and widely supported by routers. And since it’s open-source, it’s constantly updated and improved by privacy-oriented developers worldwide.
Steps to Connect to the target PC via Remote Desktop
These are the steps required to establish a Remote Desktop Connection on Windows via the client PC:
- Open the Start menu by clicking the Start orb in the bottom left corner.
- Start typing ‘Remote Desktop’.
- Click on the Remote Desktop Connection option (or press Enter on your keyboard when it’s highlighted).
- When it opens, select the Device name of your target (server) PC under Computer. In rare cases, you will have to type it in, hence why we recommended you write it down.
- Click on Connect.
- You will be asked for the device password (the user account password).
- If everything went right, you can now see the desktop screen of the target PC.
If you own a MacBook, you can read our article on “How to remote desktop through a VPN on Mac“.
Additional capabilities
Now that you have this configured, you can use the official Microsoft Remote Desktop app for Windows 10, Android, iOS, and macOS to connect to a Windows PC in a similar fashion. Once again, the two devices have to be connected to the same VPN server. Now you realize why we suggested using OpenVPN, right?
