- Microsoft's RDP allows remote access to Windows systems using GUI, with default port 3389.
- To enable RDP, open the port through Windows Firewall and then forward it on the main router.
- For secure remote access, change the default port using Registry Editor to a number above 10000.
Microsoft developed RDP or Remote Desktop Portal to connect your Windows system remotely using a GUI. The remote desktop client can be used to access the complete Windows Desktop environment remotely. The default port for RDP is 3389, and you will have to open the port through Windows Firewall to access the RDP. You will have to forward the RDP port through the main Internet router to access it. If you want to open the RDP port on your PC, this article will help you.
How To Open RDP Port To Allow Remote Desktop Access
In this article, we will be discussing how you can open the RDP port to allow remote desktop access to your system.
Allowing RDP Port Through Windows Firewall
You can allow RDP port through Windows Firewall. To do so, follow the steps given below-
- Open the Start Menu on your PC by pressing the Windows key.
- In the Start Menu, search for Windows Security and hit Enter to open it.
- On the left sidebar of the Windows Security, click on the Firewall & network protection. Now on the right side, click on Allow an app through firewall. You will find this option at the bottom of your page.
- On the next screen, click on the Change Settings button.
- Here, search for Remote Desktop. If you don’t find the Remote Desktop option, then click on Allow another app, and head to the following address- C:\Windows\System32\mstsc.exe
- Next, check the checkbox for Private if you want to allow the Remote Desktop for the local network. If you want it to be on a public network, check the Public checkbox and click on OK.
Allowing RDP Port Through Router
If you want to use the Remote Desktop on the Internet, you will have to first allow the RDP port from Windows Firewall and then allow the RDP port through the main router. You can allow RDP port through Windows Firewall by following the steps given above. To enable the RDP port through the router, follow the steps given below-
- Connect to your router and open the browser.
- On your browser, head to the router’s configuration page. To do so, type 192.168.0.1 or 192.16.1.1 in the address bar.
- You will have to log in to the configuration page.
- Here, head to the Traffic Rules and click on Add a new rule.
- Now set your Rule as Generic and then leave the Acton as Allow. Click on the Next button to continue ahead.
Now, keep any source you want to connect to this port in the Source.
- You will have to add a firewall to the destination. Well, it’s not necessary, so you can leave it as it is.
- Now under the Services, enter the port as 3389.
- After doing so, check the checkbox saying Enable Destination NAT under the Destination NAT section.
- Next, you will have to specify the IP address of the system and the port.
Changing The Default Port Of RDP Using Registry Editor
When opening the RDP on the Internet, keeping the RDP port to default is not safe,i.e., 3389. Therefore it is advised to change the default port from 3389 to something above 10000. To do so, follow the steps given below-
- Open the Start Menu and search for Registry Editor.
- In the Registry Editor, head to the following path-
- HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\System\CurrentControlSet\Control\Terminal Server\WinStations\RDP-Tcp\
- Here on the right side, double-click on PortNumber to edit it.
- Change the Base to Decimal and then change the port number between 1001 to 254535. It is recommended you keep it above 10000.
- Click on OK and then close the Registry Editor.
Final Words
This is how you can open RDP Port to allow remote desktop access to your system. Following the above steps, you will be able to enable the RDP port and change the default value of the port.
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