How to Set Up Windows for Remote File Access

Authored by: Support.com Tech Pro Team

1. Introduction

There are dozens of different methods, services, and software programs that will allow you to access the files stored on your Windows 10 machine while you're away from home. Thankfully, Windows 10 already comes equipped with Remote Desktop which allows you to accomplish this without having to purchase anything extra. In this guide, we will demonstrate how to set up Remote Desktop, and get your router prepared for remote connection. This will allow you to access your Windows 10 machine from any other Windows 10 machine while you're on the go.

Tools You'll Need:

• You'll need your router's administrative login and password to be able to access port forwarding settings.

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Supplies You'll Need:

• Zip ties
• Any other consumable supplies
• Comment out supplies section if no supplies are necessary

• You'll need your router's administrative login and password to be able to access port forwarding settings.

Before You Begin:

• You'll need your router's administrative login and password to be able to access port forwarding settings.

Windows Remote Desktop is available on:

• Windows 10 Pro
• Windows 10 Education
• Windows 10 Enterprise

Windows Remote Desktop is not available on Windows 10 Home.

Do I have the right version of Windows 10?

Checking to see what version of Windows 10 you have is easy to do.

1. Press the Windows key and Pause/Break key on your keyboard at the same time.
   

1. A 'System' window will appear. At the top, under Windows edition, your edition of Windows will be displayed.
   

2. Enable Remote Connection

1. Select the Start menu.
   

1. Select Settings.
   

1. Select System.
   

1. Select Remote Desktop on the left, then select Enable Remote Desktop on the right.
   

1. You will be asked to confirm this choice. Select Confirm.
   

1. Select Advanced settings.
   

1. Make sure Require computers to use Network Level Authentication to connect is selected. Look down, and make special note of the Current Remote Desktop Port, you will need to forward this port.The default port is 3389.

3. Set Up Port Forwarding

Finding Your Router's IP

1. Using your right mouse button, right click on the Start menu.
   

1. From the menu, select Windows PowerShell.
   

1. In the PowerShell window, type ipconfig, and press enter.
   

1. Look at the information shown. Find the line that says Default Gateway, and make note of the address. Yours may be different from this example.
   

1. Write down the address listed for Default Gateway, you will need it in just a moment.

Open Your Router's Administration Page

1. Open your preferred web browser. Look for one of these icons.
   

1. Type the address you found above, and press return or enter.
   

1. Type in your router's Administrator username and password, then Log In.
   

1. If you are not sure of your router's username and password, try some of these common defaults:
2. Username:
3. admin
4. administrator
5. user
6. blank (as in, do not put in anything)
7. Password:
8. admin
9. password
10. user
11. blank (as in, do not put in anything)

Set Static IP for Device

Setting a Static IP on your device only refers to your internal, home network. This has no effect on your Internet service.

It is critically important you setup a Static IP for your device, before you setup port forwarding. Without doing so, you could easily lose all your port forwarding setup, and expose other devices that may not be as well-secured to malicious attack on the Internet.

1. Locate and identify where in your router's interface you can setup an Address Reservation. In this example, it was under Advanced > Setup > LAN Setup, then scroll down to Address Reservation at the bottom.
   

1. Select or enter the information required to assign a static address. Make note of the IP address you set as static for your device, you will need it in a moment.
   

1. 
   
2. Write down the address you just assigned as static, you will need it in just a moment.

Set Up Port Forwarding

1. Locate the Port Forwarding section of your router's configuration. In this example, it was under Advanced > Advanced Setup > Port Forwarding / Port Triggering.
   

1. Enter the Internal IP you just statically assigned above, and the Port you want to forward, then Apply your changes.
   

4. Get Public IP

In order to connect to your computer while you are away, you will need to have the IP address of your home computer. A simple, reliable way to look this up is through a simple Google search.

You need to look this information up while you are still at home; preferably from the computer you intend to remotely access.

1. Open your preferred web browser.
   

1. In the address bar at the top, type in google.com and press enter or return on your keyboard.
   

1. In Google's search box, type in "what is my ip" and select Google Search.
   

1. At the very top of the next page, your public IP will be shown.
   

Make special note of this address. You will need it when you are on the road to access your home computer. 

5. Connect to Remote Computer

1. Select Start.
   

1. In your programs list, Expand Windows Accessories, then select Remote Desktop Connection.
   

1. 
   
2. If you need to connect to your computer from macOS, Android, or iOS, visit this webpage to download the appropriate client software:
   https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-server/remote/remote-desktop-services/clients/remote-desktop-clients
3. Enter your home computer's IP address, then select Connect.
   

1. Enter your Home computer's username and password, then select OK.
   

1. Your computer is not certified by a third party verification service. This is normal. Select Yes to continue.
   

1. 
   
2. It costs money, and a great deal of setup, to get a properly-certified certificate for validation. It is perfectly normal for most people not to have or purchase such a service. 
3.  
4. You will now see your Windows desktop, just like you are working from home, with the addition of a special toolbar at the top of the screen to control the remote session. You can use this toolbar to control the remote session.
   

1. 
   
2. Pushpin

1. Keeps the Remote Desktop Toolbar on top of everything.
2. Signal

1. Show how good of a connection you have to your home computer.
2. Address

1. Shows you the name or address of the remote computer you're connected to.
2. Minimize

1. Minimizes the remote session so you can get to your actual computer's desktop.
2. Restore

1. Turns the remote desktop session into a window you can drag and move around, rather than taking up the full screen.
2. Close

1. Closes the remote session.

6. Guided Path not helpful.

7. Escalate to PTE

If you are a PST, follow the Escalation Process to PTE.

8. What's next?

9. It Can't Happen Here

It Can't Happen Here