Save a Remote Desktop connection

By Ed Bott

If you're running a business edition of Windows (Pro, Enterprise, Ultimate), you can configure that device to accept Remote Desktop connections. From Control Panel, open System > Remote Settings and then, under the Remote Desktop heading, select Allow Remote Connections To This Computer.

Enabling this option lets you connect to that computer from a wide range of devices, even those running Windows Home editions, and work with it as though you were sitting in front of it. There are also Remote Desktop clients for mobile devices and Macs.

If you regularly connect to the same computer using Remote Desktop, you can customize your connections and save those details, as well as the sign-in credentials, making a Remote Desktop connection a one-click affair.

Start by opening the Remote Desktop Connection app (Mstsc.exe). Enter the name or IP address of the remote PC and click Show Options. Enter your credentials and then go through the tabs, customizing settings to your liking. When you're finished, return to the General tab and click Save As. Give the connection a name and choose where you want to save it. You can now double-click that shortcut to open your Remote Desktop session instantly.

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