How to setup VPN with Remote Desktop on Windows 10/11

by Elena Constantinescu

Elena started writing professionally in 2010 and hasn't stopped exploring the tech globe since. With a firm grasp of software reviewing and content editing, she is e'er trying... read more

Updated on

  • Setting up a VPN with Remote Desktop on Windows 10 implies separate steps for the server and the client PC involved.
  • At a outset glance, using a VPN with Remote Desktop seems complicated, but information technology's not.
  • If yous don't know how to fix a VPN for remote access on Windows 10, beginning by allowing remote connection on the server PC.
  • Some networking knowledge would exist useful to set up a remote desktop connectedness, but we're guiding you step past footstep.

how to setup VPN with Remote Desktop on Windows 10

If you lot need to access your dwelling house PC from work or a friend'south computer, you tin can practise this hands past turning to remote desktop software.

Such tools brand it possible to establish a remote connection between two devices so that you tin can view, edit, delete, download, or upload information with minimum effort – just every bit if you lot were sitting in front of the computer.

But there'south a huge difference between LAN-only and Net access. For example, yous tin employ third-party remote control tools to gain entry to your PC through the Net. But the all-time ones aren't free. Besides, they are susceptible to hacker attacks, similar TeamViewer that was hacked in 2016.

Microsoft has a free solution called Remote Desktop Connection, which yous can employ to remotely connect to any PC in the same network.

It's likewise possible to do this through the Net in two ways: setting upward port forwarding mode on your router or enabling VPN connections on the router.

In the first instance, you just need to forrad the RDP listening port (default is 3389) to the PC'southward local IP accost. But it's unsafe because it means exposing your dwelling network to the spider web.

The 2nd pick is more secure but requires a fleck of tinkering: setting upwardly a VPN with Remote Desktop on Windows 10.

In society to do this, you'll demand a VPN router. Some routers (older models especially) are not compatible with a VPN and you lot won't be able to go further with the steps in this guide.

Before getting started, access your router admin panel and await for VPN compatibility and for a VPN server option.

Also, proceed in mind this: the server PC is the reckoner that you want to admission remotely while the customer PC is the calculator used to access the server PC.

How can I set up a VPN for Remote Desktop on Windows 10?

i. Allow Remote Desktop connections on the server PC

enable Remote Desktop connections on Windows 10
  1. Correct-click the Windows 10 Get-go push button and get to System.
  2. Select Remote Desktop.
  3. Plough on Enable Remote Desktop and click Confirm.
  4. Write down the PC name.

2. Create a VPN server using your router

Note icon
Notation

Using a web browser, log in to your router admin panel. Locate the VPN area and inspect the available protocols. If your router supports the OpenVPN protocol, then nosotros strongly recommend using it.
Otherwise, you can enable PPTP.

OpenVPN

enable OpenVPN server on your router

  1. Generate an OpenVPN certificate.
  2. Export the OpenVPN configuration file.
  3. Upload the OpenVPN config to a safe place.
  4. Enable the VPN server.

OpenVPN is a modernistic and safe protocol that can truly protect you from eavesdroppers and hackers. If your router supports information technology, we highly propose using it considering it surpasses PTTP.

Your security is ensured past the document and private central included in the config file. OpenVPN is an excellent solution for abode and business organization users alike.

However, it comes with some inconveniences. For instance, if you generate a new certificate through your router's firmware, you have to replace the quondam document from the client device with the new i. You must also install an OpenVPN client (for costless) on every device you wish to use for remote connections.

PPTP

enable PPTP VPN server on your router

  1. Create a username and password required to connect to the server PC.
  2. Enable the VPN server.

PPTP is one of the oldest protocols, and it'due south native to most platforms. That means that y'all don't have to install any boosted software since you can create a manual PPTP VPN connection using the Windows x built-in VPN provider or the integrated PPTP back up of another OS.

Furthermore, since information technology doesn't use likewise many resource, it'southward ideal for older computers that tin can't accept the rut of modern VPN protocols like OpenVPN. Virtually routers support PPTP merely few of them work with OpenVPN.

Unfortunately, PPTP tin be easily hacked. In fact, many VPN companies and other security groups consider that PPTP is now obsolete, and they strongly advise confronting using it. For example, using PPTP VPN in corporations is out of the question.

No matter the option you select higher up, afterward use Google to find your IP address and write information technology downwards.

If you have a dynamic IP address, consider registering for a dynamic DNS server and using information technology for VPN connections and remote desktop connections. It might exist possible to request a static IP accost from your Internet access provider or ready upwards a secondary IP address and go far static. Otherwise, devices volition not be able to remotely connect to the PC once the IP address changes.

3. Ready a VPN connection on the client PC

For OpenVPN

view OpenVPN GUI connection status
  1. Download OpenVPN GUI for Windows ten.
  2. Install the tool with default settings.
  3. Download the OpenVPN config file yous created from the router panel.
  4. Right-click the OpenVPN GUI systray icon and click Import file.
  5. Select the OpenVPN config file from your router.
  6. Right-click the OpenVPN GUI systray icon and select Connect.

If OpenVPN GUI won't piece of work on your PC, you can easily diagnose and fix the problem.

For PPTP

add a VPN connection in Windows 10
  1. On Windows 10, click the Kickoff button or printing the Win fundamental.
  2. Blazon VPN settings and press Enter.
  3. Click Add a VPN connection and set up the following:
    • VPN provider to Windows (built-in).
    • Connection name to whatsoever display proper name.
    • Server name or accost to the public IP address* of the server PC.
    • VPN type to Point to Point Tunneling Protocol (PPTP).
    • Type of sign-in info to User name and countersign.
    • User name (optional) and Password (optional) to the account info yous specified in the router console for PPTP.
  4. Check Call up my sign-in info.
  5. Click Relieve.
  6. Select the VPN connection and click Connect.

If the PPTP connection isn't working, make sure to troubleshoot the issue.

four. Connect to the server PC

use Remote Desktop Connection on Windows 10
  1. On Windows ten*, click Starting time or press Win key.
  2. Blazon Remote Desktop Connection and press Enter.
  3. Set Computer to the PC proper noun**.
  4. Click Connect.
  5. When prompted for the password***, write information technology down.
  6. Congratulations! Yous take connected to some other PC remotely through a VPN.

In case you need a more straightforward solution for remote desktop services, Mikogo can assist you have high-secured protection of your computer. Or, you lot tin give a try to the following article for another software solution regarding this event.

To summarize, yous can remotely connect to some other PC using Remote Desktop from anywhere in the world with the help of a VPN and a router that has native support for VPN connections.

It'southward a much safer solution than the alternative, where you have to betrayal the network to the Internet by setting upwards port forwarding fashion on your router. Past connecting to a VPN before making the Remote Desktop connection, you encrypt all information traffic and protect it from whatever eavesdroppers.

Besides, if you get equipped with a powerful VPN client, you can admission blocked websites, evade geoblocks, unblock unavailable Netflix catalogs, reduce your ping while gaming, and much more. If you're interested in crypto, you can also employ a VPN for Bitcoin trading and mining.

Oftentimes Asked Questions

  • RDP VPN refers to using remote desktop software to control a remote PC through the Internet securely past connecting to a VPN instead of enabling port forwarding on the router.

  • Using a VPN, you connect to a remote network and become a LAN device to access shared files and printers, map network drives through VPN, and more. With Remote Desktop, you remotely control another PC and automatically admission its LAN. But you lot can use a VPN and Remote Desktop at the same time to increment your security and privacy.

  • Yes, RDP is safer when using a VPN to encrypt your information traffic. It depends on the VPN protocol and encryption yous utilise. We suggest OpenVPN with 256-bit AES.