Menü schliessen
Created: September 6th 2024
Categories: IT Knowledge
Author: Andreas Fässler

Unlocking the Power of Windows Remote Desktop: A Guide to Using RDP Links

Donation Section: Background
Monero Badge: QR-Code
Monero Badge: Logo Icon Donate with Monero Badge: Logo Text
82uymVXLkvVbB4c4JpTd1tYm1yj1cKPKR2wqmw3XF8YXKTmY7JrTriP4pVwp2EJYBnCFdXhLq4zfFA6ic7VAWCFX5wfQbCC

What Is Windows Remote Desktop?

Windows Remote Desktop is a feature that lets you connect to another computer over a network or the internet. You can control the other computer as if you were sitting right in front of it. This is particularly useful for IT admins, remote workers, or anyone who needs to access another machine for work, troubleshooting, or personal use.

What Are RDP Links?

RDP links refer to URLs or shortcuts that you can click to instantly open a remote desktop connection. These links save you from having to open the Remote Desktop app and manually entering the IP address, username, or port details. Instead, an RDP link automatically launches the connection using pre-configured settings.

For example, imagine you need to connect to a work computer remotely every day. Instead of entering the connection details each time, you can create an RDP link that, when clicked, takes you directly to the remote machine.

How to Use Windows Remote Desktop

1. Enable Remote Desktop on Your Target Machine

Before you can connect remotely, Remote Desktop needs to be enabled on the computer you want to access. You need Windows Pro for this Follow these steps:

  1. Go to Settings > System > Remote Desktop.
  2. Turn on Enable Remote Desktop.
  3. Make a note of the PC’s name, as you'll need it for the connection.

2. Connect Using Remote Desktop

Once Remote Desktop is enabled on the target machine, you can connect using the built-in Windows Remote Desktop app:

  1. Press Windows + R to open the Run dialog, type mstsc, and press Enter.
  2. Enter the PC name (or IP address) and hit Connect.
  3. Enter your login credentials for the remote machine.

And just like that, you're connected!

How to Create and Use RDP Links in Windows

Creating an RDP File

Windows Remote Desktop allows you to save your connection settings into an .rdp file, which can be reused anytime. Here’s how to create it:

  1. Open Remote Desktop Connection: Press Windows + R, type mstsc, and hit Enter.
  2. Enter the PC Name/IP Address of the computer you want to connect to.
  3. Click Show Options to expand the window.
  4. Save the Connection: Click Save As under "Connection Settings" and save it as an .rdp file to a location on your computer.

Now, whenever you double-click this .rdp file, it will automatically launch Remote Desktop and connect you to the specified machine.

Using an RDP Link

Once you've created the .rdp file, you can share or use it across devices. For example, save it on a USB drive or email it to yourself for easy access. Just double-click the file from any Windows machine with Remote Desktop enabled, and it will automatically launch your session.

You can also create desktop shortcuts to frequently used RDP connections. Here’s how:

  1. Right-click on your Desktop and select New > Shortcut.
  2. In the location box, type the path to your .rdp file.
  3. Name the shortcut (e.g., "Office PC") and click Finish.

Now you have an RDP shortcut on your desktop for instant remote access!