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How to remote desktop into windows server

Published: December 1, 2025 (Updated: Dec 1, 2025)

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Unlock Your Server: How to Enable Remote Desktop (RDP) on Windows Server 2016

Hi there! This is the team behind Darren’s Tech Tutorials, and we’re here to solve one of the most common, yet frustrating, initial hurdles when setting up a new Windows Server 2016 instance: getting Remote Desktop to work.

If you’ve tried to connect to your shiny new server only to be met with a frustrating connection failure, you are not alone. Many users quickly assume RDP is broken or that their firewall is blocking the attempt. The reality? Windows Server 2016 disables Remote Desktop Protocol by default for security.

Fortunately, enabling RDP is a straightforward fix that takes less than 60 seconds. In this quick and easy guide, we’ll walk you through the exact steps needed to switch RDP on and start managing your server remotely!

Why Can’t I Connect to Windows Server 2016 RDP?

Before we dive into the solution, it’s helpful to understand the problem. When you attempt to connect using the Remote Desktop Client (MSTSC) from your host machine to a default install of Windows Server 2016, you will get a connection error.

This happens because the server is configured to prevent external connections out of the box. While this is great for security, it’s not ideal for system administration. We need to manually adjust the local machine settings using the Server Manager console.

Let’s jump right in and crack this for ourselves!

Step-by-Step Guide: Enabling RDP on Windows Server 2016

The entire process takes place within the Server Manager application on your server console. Follow these simple steps to flip the switch and allow remote connections.

Step 1: Open Server Manager

  1. Click on the Start Menu (the Windows icon in the bottom left corner).
  2. Click on Server Manager. (This usually opens automatically after a fresh boot, but if not, locate it here.)

Step 2: Navigate to Local Server Settings

Once Server Manager loads, look at the left navigation pane:

  1. Click on Local Server. This view displays a summary of the current settings for your machine (system properties, firewall status, etc.).

Step 3: Modify the Remote Desktop Status

In the main window under the Properties section, you will see a list of configuration settings. Look for the Remote Desktop entry.

  1. Locate Remote Desktop. By default, it should be labeled as Disabled.
  2. Click the Disabled text next to Remote Desktop. A configuration window titled System Properties will pop up.

Step 4: Allow Remote Connections

In the System Properties window, navigate to the Remote tab (it’s usually the default or the last tab).

  1. Under the Remote Desktop section, select the second option: Allow remote connections to this computer.
  2. (Optional but Recommended) If you want to ensure the highest security, keep the checkbox “Allow connections only from computers running Remote Desktop with Network Level Authentication (NLA)” checked.
  3. Click Apply.
  4. Click OK.

You have now successfully enabled Remote Desktop Protocol on Windows Server 2016!

Verifying Your Connection

Now that RDP is enabled on the server, you can switch back to your host machine and try connecting again.

  1. Open your Remote Desktop Connection client (MSTSC).
  2. Enter the IP address or hostname of your Windows Server 2016 instance.
  3. Click Connect.

If all the steps were completed correctly, you should now be prompted for your username and password! Enter your credentials, and you will be logged into your remote desktop session. Congratulations—you’re in!

Wrapping Up

See? That was quick and easy! Dealing with basic configuration settings like RDP shouldn’t be a headache, and with these simple steps inside Server Manager, you can get back to focusing on the important tasks.

If you found this tutorial useful and your RDP connection is now humming along perfectly, please take a moment to like this post and subscribe to Darren’s Tech Tutorials! We publish fresh, accessible guides every week to help you master networking, servers, and all things tech.

Thanks for watching, and we’ll see you in the next tutorial!