Как запустить удаленный рабочий стол в windows 10 через командную строку

The Remote Desktop Connection (RDC) tool, also known as Microsoft Terminal Services Client (MSTSC), allows a user to connect to another computer remotely over the network using the Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP). Most users use this tool via its Graphical User Interface (GUI) which is convenient to use, but this article focuses on using the Remote Desktop via the command line.

Connecting to other computers using RDC through the command line allows you to control different settings and preferences of the connection. Windows allows a user to use certain switches to predefine the settings before the connection is made. For example, you can define the name or IP address of the remote computer, or adjust the RDC window size even before running the tool.

Learn how to enable RDC in Windows 11.

Let us help you become aware of the switch options and how you can use them to configure your RDC connections.

MSTSC commands and switches

The conventional way to open the RDC in Windows is by searching for “Remote Desktop Connection” or “RDC” in Run and open the tool.

Картинка с сайта: www.itechtics.com

This then opens the RDC tool where you can enter the name of IP address with port number (optional) of the remote computer that you want to connect to.

Картинка с сайта: www.itechtics.com

Most of you would already be aware of this method.

This section covers the possible commands and switches that you can use with RDC via the command line. We shall start with the most basic ones and then continue.

Launch RDC from Run

The very basic command to run Remote Desktop Connection from the command line is via Run. Simply type in the following in Run and hit Enter.

mstsc

Running this will open the RDC with a blank text field. However, with the addition of a few switches, you can change the settings and preferences of the RDC connection. Let us continue forward with a few examples.

Use RDC to connect via console

Although RDC fully supports GUI, you can also connect to remote machines through a console. This will help in case you wish to continue the session that you got disconnected from earlier. In contrast, a regular GUI-based RDC session creates a new session each time you connect to the same machine.

Use the following command to connect to a remote computer via console:

mstsc /console

Картинка с сайта: www.itechtics.com

Launch RDC with IP address

You can also launch RDC along with the IP address of the machine to connect it with. If the port on the machine is changed from the default value, you can also add the port number. Use the following commands to do so:

mstsc /v:IPAddress

mstsc /v:IPAddress:PortNumber

Replace IPAddress with the complete IP address of the remote computer that you want to connect with, and PortNumber with the port number if changed from its default value.

Картинка с сайта: www.itechtics.com

Launch RDC with computer name

You can also connect to the remote computer by its unique computer name. The switch used for this is the same one used with the IP address and port number in the steps above.

mstsc /v:ComputerName

Replace ComputerName with the unique name of the remote device that you can find in its settings or properties.

Картинка с сайта: www.itechtics.com

Launch RDC in full-screen mode

You can also launch the RDC connection in full-screen mode. Here is how:

mstsc /f

Картинка с сайта: www.itechtics.com

These switches can be combined into a single command to execute an RDC connection to your preferences. Here is an example:

mstsc /f /v:192.168.10.122:8002

Картинка с сайта: www.itechtics.com

MSTSC commands and switches

There are more commands and switches you can use with mstsc command-line to adjust your settings for the connection beforehand. Here is the complete list:

These switches can have the following syntax in either Run or the Command Prompt:

mstsc [<connection file>] [/v:<server[:port]>] [/g:<gateway>] 
[/admin] [/f] [/w:<width> /h:<height>] [/public] | 
[/span] [/multimon] [/edit "connection file"] [/restrictedAdmin] 
[/remoteGuard] [/prompt] [/shadow:<sessionID> [/control][/noConsentPrompt]]

The parameters in the alligator brackets (< and >) are variables that you can adjust according to your preferences.

Troubleshoot RDC via command line

You can also troubleshoot Remote Desktop services through the command line. For example, if you are unable to connect to a device using the GUI RDC but have access via console, you can check whether there are any configurations to be made that will connect you via GUI successfully.

Check if RDP is enabled from Command prompt

Learn how to enable RDP remotely.

You can run the following command to check the status of your device if RDP is enabled or disabled:

netstat /p tcp /a | findstr 3389

Картинка с сайта: www.itechtics.com

If the results come back as “Listening,” it means that RDP is enabled.

Check if RDP is enabled from PowerShell

Another method to check whether RDP is enabled is through Windows PowerShell. You can run the following commands in PowerShell and it will tell you whether the service is available or not.

if ((Get-ItemProperty "hklm:\System\CurrentControlSet\Control\Terminal Server").fDenyTSConnections -eq 0) { write-host "RDP is Enabled" } else { write-host "RDP is NOT enabled" }

Картинка с сайта: www.itechtics.com

If the script returns “RDP is enabled,” it means that it is.

Frequently Asked Questions

The Windows Remote desktop can be enable with the command line such as CMD and Powershell. Here we enable remote desktop using command prompt in Windows 10. You can use this method on all Microsoft Windows server and Workstation systems.

In Microsoft Windows operating systems, you can connect to a computer running Windows from another computer running Windows that’s connected to the same network or the Internet. For example, you can use all of your work computer’s programs, files, and network resources from your home computer, and it’s just like you’re sitting in front of your computer at work.

To connect to a remote computer, that computer must be turned on; it must have a network connection, Remote Desktop must be enabled. You must have network access to the remote computer (this could be through the Internet), and you must have permission to connect. For permission to connect, you must be on the list of remote desktop users. Before you start a connection, it’s a good idea to look up the name of the computer you’re connecting to and to make sure Remote Desktop connections are allowed through its firewall.

Enable Remote Desktop using Command Line

To enable remote desktop using command line, you must have administrator permission in Windows. The command line interfaces, command prompt or Powershell, must run as administrator.

Enable remote desktop process:

1. Run Windows Command Prompt.
2. Execute registry command to enable remote desktop.
3. Enable Remote Desktop on system Firewall.
4. Test Remote Desktop Connectivity between two systems.

Let’s run the command prompt as administrator and follow the article to enable remote desktop with command line.

1. Type the below command to enable remote desktop.

reg add "HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Terminal Server" /v fDenyTSConnections /t REG_DWORD /d 0 /f

The result must be the same as above screenshot. If you face any issue while running command, check the command structure and try again.

2. To disable remote desktop, just type the below command and run it.

reg add "HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Terminal Server" /v fDenyTSConnections /t REG_DWORD /d 1 /f

3. Allow the Remote desktop on your Windows firewall system with netsh command.

netsh advfirewall firewall set rule group="remote desktop" new enable=yes

Related: Configure Windows IP Address with Netsh

4. Now, you need to add a user account to remote desktop users group. To do this using the “net localgroup” command.

net localgroup "remote desktop users" Shais /add

The username “Shais” has been added successfully to “Remote Desktop Users” group. You can test the remote desktop user members with below command.

net user Shais

That’s all you need to enable remote desktop using command line on any Windows operating systems.

If you want to do all with a graphical interface, follow the below Microsoft step by step guide to enable remote desktop.

Enable Remote Desktop Connection with GUI

If your user account doesn’t require a password to sign in, you’ll need to add a password before you’re allowed to start a connection with a remote computer.

To allow remote connections on the computer, you want to connect to:

1. Open System by clicking the Start button, right-clicking Computer, and then click Properties.
2. Click Remote settings.If you’re prompted for an administrator password or confirmation, type the password or provide confirmation. Under Remote Desktop, select one of the three options.
3. Click Select Users.If you’re an administrator on the computer, your current user account will automatically be added to the list of remote users, and you can skip the next two steps.
4. In the Remote Desktop Users dialog box, click Add.
5. In the Select Users or Groups dialog box, do the following:
   1. To specify the search location, click Locations, and then select the location you want to search.
   2. In entering the object names to select, type the name of the user that you want to add, and then click OK.
   3. The name will be displayed in the list of users in the Remote Desktop Users dialog box. Click OK, and then click OK again.

To look up the computer name of the remote computer:

1. On the remote computer, open System by clicking the Start button, right-clicking Computer, and then click Properties.
2. Under Computer name, domain, and workgroup settings, you can find your computer name, and it’s full computer name if your computer is on a domain.

To allow Remote Desktop connections through a Windows Firewall:

If you’re having trouble connecting, Remote Desktop connections might be getting blocked by the firewall. Here’s how to change that setting on a Windows PC. If you’re using another firewall, make sure the port for Remote Desktop (usually 3389) is open.

1. On the remote computer, click Start and select Control Panel.
2. Click System and Security.
3. Then click Allow a program through Windows Firewall under Windows Firewall.
4. And click Change settings and then check the box next to Remote Desktop.
5. Click OK to save the changes.

To set a password for your user account

Your user account must have a password before you can use Remote Desktop to connect to another computer.

1. Click Start and select Control Panel.
2. Double-click User Accounts.
3. Select Change your Windows Password under User Accounts.
4. Click Create a password for your account and follow the instructions on the screen.

To start Remote Desktop on the computer, you want to work from:

1. Open Remote Desktop Connection by clicking the Start button. In the search box, type Remote Desktop Connection, and then, in the list of results, click Remote Desktop Connection.
2. In the Computer box, type the name of the computer that you want to connect to, and then click Connect. (You can also type the IP address instead of the computer name.)

Finally, hope you can enable remote desktop using command line in your network environment.

If you want to use the Remote Desktop feature without opening the Windows Settings panel, then you can enable Remote Desktop using Command Prompt or Windows PowerShell. If you have a remote desktop client on your mobile or another computer, you will be able to connect it and use your PC remotely.

Remote Desktop is a well-known facility for Windows 11/10 computers that lets you connect two computers or mobile so that an individual can access another computer remotely. You can fix some problems on the computer via mobile or do other jobs according to your requirements. You need a Remote Desktop client like Microsoft Remote Desktop or so on your mobile to connect two devices.

It is possible to enable to disable Remote Desktop via Windows Settings. You need to head to System > Remote Desktop to access the option. However, let’s assume that the Windows Settings panel is not opening due to some reasons, and you need to turn on the Remote Desktop feature. Then you can use this method to start the Remote Desktop using the command line.

To enable Remote Desktop using Command Prompt and Windows PowerShell, follow these steps-

1. Open Command Prompt or PowerShell with administrator privilege
2. Set value of fDenyTSConnections REG DWORD to 0
3. Add a Firewall rule
4. Restart your computer
5. Start using Remote Desktop in Windows 10.

The commands are not the same for Command Prompt and Windows PowerShell.

1] Enable RDP firewall using Command Prompt

Картинка с сайта: www.thewindowsclub.com

To get started, open the Command Prompt with administrator privilege. You can search for it in the Taskbar search box, and click the Run as administrator option that appears on your screen. After that, enter this following command and hit Enter:

reg add "HKLM\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Terminal Server" /v fDenyTSConnections /t REG_DWORD /d 0 /f

By default, the value of fDenyTSConnections is set to 1. This command will change the value to 0.

Next, execute the following command:

netsh advfirewall firewall set rule group="remote desktop" new enable=yes

This command will add and update three rules in the Firewall so that you can start using the Remote Desktop.

2] Enable RDP using Windows PowerShell

Картинка с сайта: www.thewindowsclub.com

You need to open the Windows PowerShell with administrator privilege and enter the following command and hit Enter:

Set-ItemProperty -Path 'HKLM:\System\CurrentControlSet\Control\Terminal Server'-name "fDenyTSConnections" -Value 0

This command will change the fDenyTSConnections value to 0. Now, you need to execute the following command to add rules in the Firewall:

Enable-NetFirewallRule -DisplayGroup "Remote Desktop"

After that, you will be able to use Remote Desktop in Windows 10.

In case you want to disable Remote Desktop using Command Prompt and Windows PowerShell, you need to enter these steps.

Related: Remote Desktop option is greyed out.

Disable Remote Desktop using Command Prompt or PowerShell

To disable Remote Desktop using Command Prompt and Windows PowerShell, follow these steps-

1. Open Command Prompt or PowerShell with administrator privilege
2. Set value of fDenyTSConnections REG DWORD as 1
3. Add a Firewall rule
4. Restart computer.

To know more, you need to read on.

Disable Remote Desktop using Command Prompt

You need to set the default value of fDenyTSConnections as 1. For that, use this command-

reg add "HKLM\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Terminal Server" /v fDenyTSConnections /t REG_DWORD /d 1 /f

Now you need to remove rules from the Firewall. For that, use this command-

netsh advfirewall firewall set rule group="remote desktop" new enable=No

Disable Remote Desktop using PowerShell

You need to change the value of fDenyTSConnections as 1. You can do that by using this command-

Set-ItemProperty -Path 'HKLM:\System\CurrentControlSet\Control\Terminal Server'-name "fDenyTSConnections" -Value 1

The second command will let you remove the rules from the Firewall:

Disable-NetFirewallRule -DisplayGroup "Remote Desktop"

How do I know if RDP is enabled or not?

If you want to know the status of the RDP protocol on your Windows 11/10 system, then open the Registry Editor. After that, access the Terminal Services and Terminal Server Registry keys. There, look for the fDenyTSConnections DWORD (32-bit) Value. If the value data of this value is set to 0, then RDP is enabled. If it is set to 1, then RDP is disabled.

How to restart the RDP service using PowerShell?

If you want to restart the Remote Desktop Services using PowerShell, then first open the Windows PowerShell as administrator. After that, execute the command given below:

Restart-Service -Force -DisplayName "Remote Desktop Services"

You can also use the following command to restart the RDP service:

Restart-Service -Force -Name "TermService"

That’s all! I hope this simple tutorial will be helpful for you.