To set up your computer so you can connect to it remotely, you need to configure it as the host PC. This involves enabling the Remote Desktop feature and identifying your computer's name.
Preparing Your PC for Remote Access (Host Setup)
Setting up your computer to be accessed remotely using Remote Desktop is a straightforward process in Windows, particularly following the steps provided in the reference. This primarily involves ensuring you have the correct Windows version and enabling the feature within your system settings.
Requirements
Before you begin, the primary requirement is the operating system version:
- Make sure you have Windows 10 Pro. Remote Desktop hosting is typically available on the Pro, Enterprise, and Education versions of Windows 10 (and later Windows versions like Windows 11 Pro). The Home version does not support hosting a Remote Desktop connection.
Enabling Remote Desktop
Once you've confirmed your Windows version, you can proceed with enabling the feature:
- When you're ready, select Start
> Settings 
> System > Remote Desktop. - Turn on Enable Remote Desktop. You might see a confirmation prompt; confirm to proceed.
- Make note of the name of this PC under How to connect to this PC. This is the name you will use later from another computer or device to initiate the remote connection.
Connecting to Your PC
After enabling Remote Desktop on the host PC and noting its name, you will use this name from another computer or device (the client PC) to establish the connection. On the client PC, you'll typically open the Remote Desktop Connection application and enter the host PC's name or IP address.
Summary Table
| Step | Action | Details |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Check Windows | Verify OS Version | Must be Windows 10 Pro (or equivalent higher version) |
| 2. Enable Feature | Navigate to Settings > System > Remote Desktop | Toggle "Enable Remote Desktop" switch to On |
| 3. Note PC Name | Identify PC Name | Found under "How to connect to this PC". You'll need this. |
By following these steps, your computer is now configured to accept incoming Remote Desktop connections.
