Remote Desktop Connection has undergone several name changes since it debuted on Windows. At separate occasions, it has been referred to as Microsoft Terminal Services Client, mstsc, Remote Desktop, or tsclient. Nowadays, the name that has stuck with IT spheres is Remote Desktop or RDP. RDP is a special protocol that enables remotely controlling a computer or virtual machine connected to the same network.

In IT terms, the device being remotely controlled is called the ‘client device’ while the device making the connection is the ‘administrator’. Remote connection is only possible when both machines are on the same WiFi network or connected to the Internet. The administrator can remotely take control of the client computer. The user may be able to remotely control everything or only have access to the client PC’s mouse, keyboard, etc., depending on the specific RDP configuration.

Casual computer users utilize a form of RDP when they connect their mobile devices and PCs to the same network and control the former through the latter. However, standard RDP is mostly used by IT professionals, customer support representatives, managed service providers, or MSPs. RDP is widely used in corporate environments where individuals constantly access, transfer and modify resources and data on client machines.

Remote Desktop Connection Registry Settings Windows 10

1. By far the easiest way is to enable RDP through the graphical interface. Launch System Properties and click Remote Settings in the left hand pane. Choose the Allow remote connections to this computer radial button. Click Select Users to add users to connect via RDP.
2. For instance, you want simultaneous 2 Remote Desktop connections for Administrator user. This can be achieved by setting up the Terminal Server settings in the Windows registry editor. Below is the step by step guide to perform the registry changes to allow multiple RDP sessions for the single user. Login to your server via Remote Desktop.

Enable or Disable Always Prompt for Password upon Remote Desktop Connection to Windows PC You can use the Remote Desktop Connection (mstsc.exe) or Microsoft Remote Desktop app to connect to and control your Windows PC from a remote device.

However, what if the option to enable Remote Desktop is greyed out in Windows 10? This article provides you with the solution for this problem.

Why Is Remote Desktop Not Working?

Usually, setting up RDP on Windows 10 is pretty straightforward. Depending on whether the connection is through a local network or through the Internet, you only need to enable a few settings and you’re home and hosed.

Just to refresh your memory, here are the quick methods to initiate an RDP on a local network, and over the web.

RDP over local network:

• Launch the Control Panel and click System and Security.
• Select System on the System and Security screen.
• Click “Advanced system settings” on the left pane.
• Switch to the Remote tab in the System Properties dialog.
• Under Remote Desktop, tick “Allow remote connections to this computer”.
• Select the “Allow connections only from computers running Remote Desktop with Network Level Authentication” checkbox to connect remotely through a local network.
• Click the OK, Apply, and OK buttons successively to save your modifications.

RDP over Internet connection:

• Launch the Remote Desktop app on Windows 10. Get it from the Microsoft Store if it isn’t already installed.
• Click the Add (+) button and select Desktop.
• Under the PC Name section, enter the TCP/IP address of the client computer or its local IP address if it is within a private network.
• Click the + button next to User Account and enter the username and password for the client PC.
• If you wish, click the + button next to “Display name” and specify the various settings.
• Click Save to add the remote computer.
• When you want to connect to the client PC remotely, select it from the Saved Desktops section and click Connect.

Of course, the “Allow remote connections to this computer” option in System Properties must be enabled for remote connection to work over the Internet or a local network.

However, there has been lots of complaint lately that the option to enable RDP on the computer is both greyed out and disabled. This means that users are unable to enable the option and start Remote Desktop. If you are one of the affected users, you can use the steps below to fix the Remote Desktop option greyed out issue on Windows 10.

How to Fix the ‘Remote Desktop Option Is Greyed Out’ Issue on Windows 10

To make the “Allow remote connections to this computer” option selectable if it is greyed out, you need to change some registry settings. The registry isn’t something you can handle with kid gloves as making mistakes can cause system failure.

Before you go ahead with the tips here, it is recommended to create a system restore point. Another good idea is to back up your registry. Did you know that Auslogics Registry Cleaner automatically creates a registry backup each time you use it to clean up the registry?

Once you’ve taken the needed precautions, go ahead and follow these steps to fix the Remote Desktop greyed out issue in Windows 10.

Setup Remote Desktop Windows 10

• Press the Windows Logo and R keys at the same time to open the Run box.
• Type “regedit” (without quotes) and hit the Enter key or click OK.

Go to the following location in the registry. You can also paste it in the path bar to quickly jump there:

ComputerHKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESOFTWAREPoliciesMicrosoftWindows NTTerminal Services

• With Terminal Services selected in the left pane, double-click fDenyTSConnections on the right and change its value.

The options for the fDenyTSConnections Value data value are:

0 – Allow users to connect remotely using Terminal Services / Remote Desktop

1 – Disallow users to connect remotely using Terminal Services / Remote Desktop

• To make the “Allow remote connections to this computer” field become selectable, change the value in the Value data field to 0 and click OK.

Reboot the PC now and check the Remote tab in System Properties. You will find that the greyed-out option can now be selected.

Rarely, additional registry issues can prevent the option from appearing even after making the above fix. To ensure that no registry setting is interfering with Remote Desktop, you can scan the registry for errors. A recommended program for this is Auslogics Registry Cleaner. It will analyze safe areas of the registry for broken, empty and invalid keys and clean them out.

We hope this article taught you how to enable RDP on Windows 10 and also how to get the “Allow remote connections to this computer” option back when it is greyed out. After successfully applying the fix, you can go ahead to remotely connect to your devices.

Summary: In this tutorial check out the complete information about the Windows remote desktop error code 0x204 and the easy ways to fix the remote desktop error 0x204 on Windows 10.

Remote desktop is a very useful option and can be used for controlling the Windows computer from another computer. This is a very handy and effective option that allows you to connect to your PC and have access to all your apps, files and network resources easily.

However to connect to the PC there are several conditions as well that should be met, such as the system should be turned on, the remote desktop must be enabled, it also has the network connection, must have network access to the remote computer and also have the permission to connect to another device.

But it also happens the things not always go smoothly while using Remote Desktop, users are found reporting about the Microsoft Remote desktop error code 0x204 appears on the screen.

Well, this is a very irritating issue but luckily there are many easy working solutions that help you to fix Remote Desktop 0x204 in Windows 10.

Below check out the easy fixes to resolve the Remote Desktop error 0x204.

How to Fix Remote Desktop Error Code 0x204 on Windows 10

Solution 1: Check Remote Desktop Protocol

Sometimes a minor mistake starts causing errors and becomes a big hurdle so here it is recommended to very first check whether the Remote Desktop Protocol is enabled or not.

Follow the steps to do so:

• Press the Windows + R key > and in the Run box > type SystemPropertiesRemote.exe > OK

• Now in the System Properties > go to the Remote tab
• And under the Remote desktop,> check Allow remote connections to this computer – Allow remote connections only from computers running Remote Desktop with Network level authentication (recommended)

This presents a safest and certified method to protect your computer in a better way.

Further Reading:

Solution 2: Arrange your Security Settings

The Remote Desktop error 0x204 also occurs as the Remote desktop connections are not allowed through the Windows Firewall or other security programs you are using. So check your security settings.

Follow the steps to do so:

• In the Start Menu > locate Control Panel > hit Enter
• Go to System and Security > and to Windows Defender Firewall
• Through Windows Firewall link > click on the Allow an app through Windows Firewall

• And locate Remote Desktop > check it.

Hope this works for you to resolve error code 0x204 in Windows 10.

Solution 3: Check for the Recently Installed Hardware/Drivers

Sometimes the recently installed Hardware and Drivers to the computer also causes the Remote Desktop Connection error 0x204.

So, if this is a case then try the below-given solutions:

1. Run the Hardware Diagnosis offered by system manufacturer to check which hardware component failed.
2. Remove the recently installed driver.

Install Remote Desktop Connection Windows 10

Apart from that also check for the outdated system drivers and try updating them. To update the outdated system drivers go to the manufacturer website and check for the latest updates. Or else go to the Microsoft Official website.

Moreover, you can also make use of the automatic Driver Booster to update the drivers easily.

Solution 4: Reset Remote Desktop Connection for your Account

Try resetting the problematic Remote Desktop connection, this helped many users to fix the Remote PC error 0x204.

Follow the steps to do so:

1. Press Windows + S key > type Remote Desktop > hit Enter.
2. Then open the app in question > and move to the Remote Desktop connection you want to delete.
3. And click on an icon (three horizontally aligned dots)
4. Select the Remove option > close the Remote Desktop app.

And next, open the app and set up the connection you have previously deleted.

Solution 5: Configure Port Forwarding Settings

Another solution that you can try if still struggling with the error, (if the remote sessions are through the internet) assures the router was configured to forward the remote desktop port 3389 by default.

Well, you may know that the routers have different interfaces, so it is impossible to provide the exact instructions, but there are some basic steps that guide you through the processes:

Follow the given instructions:

1. Open your Command Prompt > type ipconfig > hit Enter
2. Mark down the IPv4 Address and the Default Gateway information.
3. And open your web browser > type the IPv4 Address of your router.
4. Next sign in to your router > look for the Port Forwarding section.
5. Verify if Port Forwarding is enabled or not > Enable it.
6. Arrange the Port Forwarding settings:
   • Select any service name.
   • Set both Port Range&Local Port as 3389.
   • And for Local IP >paste the IPv4 address of your router.
   • In the Protocol section select TCP
7. Lastly, add the new rule > save changes.

Additionally, you also need to pay attention that exposing Remote Desktop server directly to the web, generates risks – malware, hacking etc. So make sure to use strong passwords and install a VPN as well.

Moreover, you should also change the RDP listening port from 3389 default to another high port number in the dynamic range.

Solution 6: Reinstall the Remote Desktop app

This is the last manual solution that helps you to fix the remote desktop connection error 0x204 in Windows 10. If none of the above given manual solutions works for you then try reinstalling the remote desktop software.

Follow the steps to do so:

• Open Microsoft Remote Desktop app
• And click on the overflow menu (…) button > placed next to the name (…) of the Remote Desktop connection you are looking to delete > click Remove
• After disabling the app, try installing it again.

Hope that the article works for you to fix the Remote Desktop error 0x204 on Windows 10.

Additionally, you can also scan your Windows 10 system with the Windows Repair Tool if your Windows OS system is responding slowly or the apps are performing unhurriedly. This tool will gradually fix various errors in Windows 10 and also increases the performance of the PC and apps. With this, you can also fix Registry error, PC error, Network error, hard Drive, damages/ corruption of the Windows system files, malware/viruses and many others.

Frequently Asked Question:

Conclusion:

Well, as said earlier the Remote desktop is a very handy feature but sometimes causes issues and users start getting the errors code.

This is irritating but can be fixed. So here I have described some easy but working solutions to fix the remote desktop error code 0x204 in Windows 10.

Try the given solutions one by one and check which one works for you to troubleshoot remote desktop connections fails error 0x204.

Also, check the device drivers and update them, delete the temp files, scan your system with good antivirus software and remove unwanted software from time to time to maintain the Windows PC performance and other issues.

Additionally, if you find the article helpful or have any query, comment, questions or suggestions related, then please feel free to share it with us in the comment section below or you can also go to our Fix Windows Errors Ask Question Page.

Good Luck!!!

Remote Desktop Connection Registry Settings Windows 10 Pro

Windows 10 Remote Desktop Connection Manager