Windows 11: Two PCs Won't Connect via Remote Desktop

Introduction

This article covers the issue of two Windows 11 Pro computers (PC-RDPserver and PCB-RDPclient) that cannot connect via Remote Desktop, even when using two user accounts (ACCOUNT-ONE and ACCOUNT-TWO). We will explore the key concepts and subtopics to help troubleshoot and resolve this problem.

Key Concepts

• Understanding Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP)
• Configuring Windows 11 for Remote Desktop
• Troubleshooting Connection Issues

Understanding Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP)

Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP) is a proprietary protocol developed by Microsoft that allows users to connect to another computer over a network connection. RDP enables users to remotely access resources, applications, and desktops as if they were physically present in front of the remote computer.

Configuring Windows 11 for Remote Desktop

To enable Remote Desktop in Windows 11, follow these steps on the RDP server (PC-RDPserver):

1. Open Settings (Windows key + I).
2. Go to System > Remote Desktop.
3. Toggle on Enable Remote Desktop.
4. Make sure to note down the PC name and the IP address for future reference.

Troubleshooting Connection Issues

If the two Windows 11 computers still cannot connect via Remote Desktop, consider the following troubleshooting steps:

1. Check Firewall Settings

   Ensure that the firewall on both the RDP server (PC-RDPserver) and the RDP client (PCB-RDPclient) allows Remote Desktop connections. To do this, follow these steps:

   1. Open Windows Security (Windows key + I, then click Windows Security on the left sidebar).
   2. Go to Firewall & network protection > Advanced settings.
   3. Click Inbound Rules and look for any rules related to Remote Desktop. Make sure they are enabled.
2. Verify User Account Control (UAC) Settings

   User Account Control (UAC) might interfere with Remote Desktop connections. Ensure that UAC is not set too high on either the RDP server (PC-RDPserver) or the RDP client (PCB-RDPclient). To check UAC settings, follow these steps:

   1. Type User Account Control in the Start menu search bar and open the settings app.
   2. Slide the slider to the second notch from the bottom (Notify me only when apps try to make changes to my computer).
3. Check Network Connectivity

   Make sure both computers are connected to the same network. If they are on different networks, ensure that port forwarding is configured correctly on the router.

4. Update Network Drivers

   Outdated network drivers can cause connectivity issues. Make sure both computers have the latest network drivers installed.

In this article, we explored how to troubleshoot Remote Desktop connection issues between two Windows 11 Pro computers. By understanding the key concepts and following the troubleshooting steps provided, users should be able to resolve most connection problems.

References

• Book: Windows 11 Inside Out by Ed Bott, Carl Siechert, and Craig Stinson.

• Article: How to Use Remote Desktop in Windows 11 by Chris Hoffman.

• Online Resource: Microsoft Remote Desktop Services documentation by Microsoft.