How to enable Remote Desktop on Windows Server 2025

Enabling Remote Desktop on Windows Server 2025 the right way from day one.

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Windows Server 2025 Remote Desktop enabled
  • Remote Desktop is disabled by default on Windows Server 2025 for security reasons.
  • It can be enabled via Settings, Server Manager, or PowerShell with identical outcomes.
  • Administrators get access automatically, but other users must be manually added.
  • PowerShell is the fastest option for repeat or automated server deployments.

Remote Desktop is one of those features I always enable early when setting up a Windows Server 2025 machine. It saves time immediately, especially when I need to manage roles, troubleshoot services, or adjust configuration without sitting in front of the server.

By default, Microsoft keeps Remote Desktop turned off for security reasons, which means it won’t accept incoming connections until you explicitly enable it and configure access properly.

In this guide, I’ll walk through the exact steps I use to enable Remote Desktop on Windows Server 2025. The Server Manager and PowerShell methods should also work on Windows Server 2022, 2019, and other versions.

Before proceeding 

Before enabling Remote Desktop, ensure the following:

  • You are logged in with Administrator privileges.
  • The server is connected to a network.
  • You know the server’s IP address or hostname.
  • Firewall rules allow inbound RDP traffic (TCP 3389).

Enable Remote Desktop using Settings on Server 2025

To enable Remote Desktop through the Settings app, use these steps:

  1. Open Settings on Windows Server 2025.

  2. Click on System.

  3. Click the Remote Desktop page.

  4. Turn on the Remote Desktop toggle switch.

    Enable Remote Desktop from Settings

  5. Click the Confirm button.

Once you complete the steps, the system will activate the Remote Desktop service and create the required rules for the RDP access.

Enable Remote Desktop using Server Manager

To enable Remote Desktop through the Server Manager app, use these steps:

  1. Open Server Manager.

  2. Click on Local Server in the left pane.

  3. Click the Remote Desktop (Disabled) state in the properties panel on the right.

    Server Manager enable Remote Desktop

  4. Select the “Allow remote connections to this computer” option under the “Remote Desktop” section.

  5. Click the OK button.

  6. Select the “Network Level Authentication (NLA)” option.

  7. Click the Apply button.

  8. Click the OK button.

After you complete the steps, you can connect remotely via server name or IP address.

Enable Remote Desktop using PowerShell on Server 2025

To enable Remote Desktop through PowerShell, use these steps:

  1. Open Start.

  2. Search for PowerShell (or Terminal) and click the top result.

  3. Type this command to enable Remote Desktop and press Enter:

    Set-ItemProperty -Path "HKLM:\System\CurrentControlSet\Control\Terminal Server" -Name "fDenyTSConnections" -Value 0; Enable-NetFirewallRule -DisplayGroup "Remote Desktop"

    PowerShell enable Remote Desktop

Once you complete the steps, Windows Server 2025 will enable RDP connections in the Registry and open the firewall rules for Remote Desktop traffic. 

Configure Remote Desktop Users

By default, only administrators can connect remotely. To allow additional users:

  1. Open Settings.

  2. Click on System.

  3. Click the Remote Desktop page.

  4. Click the “Remote Desktop Users” settings.

    Windows Server 2025 Settings Remote Desktop Users

  5. Click the Add button.

  6. Confirm the username or group (for instance, domain users).

    Add users for Remote Desktop

  7. Click the OK button.

After you complete the steps, you can connect to the server using the standard user account.

Connect to the Server 2025

To connect to a Windows Server 2025 device, use these steps:

  1. Open Start.

  2. Search for Remote Desktop Connection and click the top result to open the app.

    Quick tip: If you’re on Windows 11, you can also install and use the Windows App for remote connections.

  3. Confirm the IP address or hostname for the Windows Server 2025 machine.

  4. Click the Connect button.

    Remote Desktop Connection app

  5. Confirm your administrator credentials.

Once you complete the steps, you should now be able to manage the server from the same local network.

Server Decode’s Take

Remote Desktop is still one of the first things I enable when setting up a Windows Server. It’s not new or exciting, but it remains the most practical way to manage a server once you’re not sitting in front of it.

What I appreciate here is the consistency. Whether you use Settings, Server Manager, or PowerShell, the end result is the same, and that flexibility fits different setups nicely. In most cases, I still lean toward PowerShell for speed, especially in repeat deployments.

The key detail that often gets missed is that enabling Remote Desktop doesn’t automatically open access to everyone. Administrators can connect by default, but all other users must be explicitly added, which is an important security safeguard.

Overall, the workflow hasn’t really changed much over time, and that stability is a good thing for server administration. I’d still keep Network Level Authentication enabled and avoid broad access unless it’s absolutely needed.

Do you usually enable Remote Desktop through PowerShell or stick with the GUI? Let me know in the comments.