Remote Desktop on Windows 11: Enabling and Using RDP in Your Business

Reaching a workstation remotely has become a necessity for many businesses in the Mauricie and across Quebec. Whether it is for technical support, occasional remote work or grabbing a file left at the office, the Remote Desktop feature (RDP) built into Windows 11 is often the quickest and most practical answer. You still need to know how to turn it on properly and, above all, how to secure it.

This guide covers the step-by-step setup, connecting from another device, and the practices worth following. The steps apply to Windows 11 Pro and Enterprise, the two editions that can accept incoming remote connections.

1. What is Remote Desktop (RDP) on Windows 11?

Microsoft has been developing the Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP) since the late 1990s. It lets you take full control of another Windows computer over the network, as though you were sitting in front of it. The screen, the keyboard, the mouse, the sound and local files are all available remotely.

In a small business setting in Trois-Rivières or the Mauricie, the use cases pile up: an accountant reaching the software still installed at the office, an IT technician fixing a computer without driving out, an owner on the road pulling a document, or an employee working from home connecting to their physical desk. RDP is already included in Windows 11 and needs no third-party software.

2. How to turn on Remote Desktop in Windows 11

Turning it on takes less than two minutes. Here is the full procedure.

Enabling it in Windows Settings

1. Press Windows + I to open Settings.
2. Click System in the left menu.
3. Scroll down and click Remote Desktop.
4. Turn on the Remote Desktop switch.
5. Click Confirm in the window that appears.

Once it is on, Windows shows the PC name and the port in use (3389 by default). Note the PC name or its local IP address on your network, you will need it to connect from another device.

Check the firewall

Windows enables the necessary firewall rule automatically when you turn the feature on. If you run a third-party firewall or group policies in your organization, verify that TCP port 3389 is open for connections on the local network. It should never be exposed directly to the internet.

3. Connecting to a Windows 11 computer remotely

From another Windows PC

1. Press Windows + R, type mstsc and press Enter.
2. In the Computer field, enter the target machine’s local IP address (for example 192.168.1.45) or its network name.
3. Click Connect and enter your Windows credentials for the remote machine.
4. The session opens: you control the remote desktop in real time.

You can save the connection as an .rdp file for quick access next time. The app also lets you set the screen resolution and local file sharing before the connection is established.

From a Mac, iPhone or Android device

Microsoft offers the Microsoft Remote Desktop app for macOS, iOS and Android, available on the App Store and Google Play. Enter the target machine’s IP address and your Windows credentials, and you have your full desktop on any mobile device.

4. Securing your RDP connection: the practices that matter

Remote Desktop is a doorway into your network. Without precautions, an RDP port exposed to the internet is constantly hammered by bots testing thousands of passwords an hour. The Canadian Centre for Cyber Security explicitly recommends never exposing port 3389 directly to the internet.

Always go through a VPN for outside access

If you connect from home or while travelling, sign in to a company VPN first, then start the RDP session on the local network. That is the basic rule: RDP should never be reachable from the internet without an additional layer of protection. For businesses in Trois-Rivières that do not have a VPN yet, that is the first job to tackle before turning Remote Desktop on.

Limit who is allowed in

In the Remote Desktop settings, click Select users that can remotely access this PC and add only the accounts that genuinely need it. Remove access as soon as an employee changes roles or leaves the organization.

Strong passwords, NLA and multi-factor authentication

Windows 11 enables Network Level Authentication (NLA) by default, which requires identification before the graphical session is even established. Never turn that off. Pair it with passwords of at least 12 characters. For businesses supported by OKTO Solutions, integration with Microsoft 365 extends multi-factor protection to Windows sessions without weighing down anyone’s day.

5. Windows 11 Home limitations and alternatives

Windows 11 Home cannot accept Remote Desktop connections: only the Pro and Enterprise editions support the feature on the receiving side. To check your edition: Settings, System, About.

Options for machines running the Home edition

• Upgrade to Windows 11 Pro: the permanent fix, done straight from Windows Update with a Pro licence key.
• Quick Assist: Windows’ built-in remote assistance tool (Start, Quick Assist), suited to one-off support between colleagues.
• A centralized access gateway: for more structured needs, a centrally managed solution gives you more control and visibility across the whole fleet.

For companies in Trois-Rivières and the Mauricie running a mixed fleet, planning a move to Windows 11 Pro across the board is usually the smartest medium-term decision. Our team can help you assess where you stand during a tailored IT audit.

Frequently asked questions

Does Windows 11 Remote Desktop work from home, outside the office network?

Yes, but you always have to go through a VPN to reach your office network before starting the RDP session. Never open port 3389 directly on your router: automated attacks against that port run around the clock and can compromise your network in a matter of hours.

Can I leave a Windows 11 computer on permanently for remote connections?

Yes. Set Windows 11 so it never sleeps while plugged in, through Settings, System, Power and battery. Also confirm that automatic restarts after updates are scheduled outside working hours so sessions do not get cut off.

Can several users be connected to a Windows 11 remote desktop at the same time?

No. Windows 11 allows only one active Remote Desktop session at a time. If a second user connects, the first session is disconnected automatically. For multiple simultaneous connections you need a Windows Server configured with the Remote Desktop Services roles.

Secure remote access for your Trois-Rivières business: fundamentals first

The Remote Desktop feature built into Windows 11 is a powerful tool, already included with your licence, provided you turn it on properly and protect it with the right practices. For businesses in Trois-Rivières, the Mauricie and across Quebec that want to go further, whether to secure remote access, standardize the fleet or get responsive technical support, have a look at our managed IT services or contact our team to talk about your situation with no obligation.