How to create rdp

  How to establish a free RDP for use

As far as Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP) is concerned, it enables the user to connect to and control a machine irrespective of the user's location over a network. This application is particularly excellent for IT administrators, programmers, or any users who wish to access a computer from another location.. In case you want to configure an RDP environment for personal use without incurring any cost, then there are numerous options to implement which range from implementing a single solution to a range of mixed platforms. Presented here is a totally free RDP server that all of us can enjoy without needing to pay for.

Step 1. Using Windows 10 or 11 Pro (Includes a Native Feature for RDP)

In case you own a computer with a running version of either Windows 10 Pro or 11 Enterprise or Education, RDP is pre-installed on the device, and can therefore be configured there and then. This functionality is however not present in the case of Windows 10/11 Home Edition.

#### Enable Remote Desktop on Windows 10/11 Pro

1. Enable Remote Desktop:

   Open the **Start menu** and go to **Settings**.

   Click on **System**, then select **Remote Desktop**.

- Select the toggle for **Enable Remote Desktop**. You may receive a prompt asking you to confirm your decision.

   - Click **Confirm** to enable RDP.

 

2. Allow Remote Connections:

   - In the settings for Remote Desktop, select **Advanced settings**

   - Ensure that **Allow remote connections to this computer is activated.

-Turn on the **Network Level Authentication** (NLA) should you be prompted, for safety.

3. Configure Firewall

The system will configure the firewall to allow remote connections automatically, but you can only confirm this through checking **Windows Defender Firewall** settings to ensure that the port for RDP 3389 is open.

4. Connect to the RDP:

- Open the **Remote Desktop Connection** application on the device you wish to use to connect remotely.

- Enter the **IP address** or **hostname** of the computer you wish to connect to.

- Provide a username and password, and you should now be connected to the remote machine.

 Limitations:

- Requires you to have Windows 10/11 Pro version for the above configuration.

- The computer needs to be powered on and connected to the internet.

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2. Using Free Cloud Services that have RDP Access.

Another option, of course, would be cloud services that offer free RDP access, mainly for casual use. There are various cloud providers offering to create VMS with RDP access, with either limited free trials or free-tier plans.

Some Cloud Providers Offering Free RDP Access:

- AWS Free Tier :

- AWS supports up to 750 hours of free EC2, Elastic Compute Cloud, per month with the first 12 months. You are able to configure a Windows Server for RDP access.

   Setup an AWS-based RDP

    Sign up for an AWS account and select a Windows Server instance on the dashboard of EC2.

- Once you configure the instance, you download the **RDP file** from AWS and connect with the credentials you set up.

   - Microsoft Azure Free Account:

- Microsoft provides a free Azure account with $200 credit for the initial 30 days and a limited set of free services for the subsequent 12 months. Use this credit to provision a Windows-based virtual machine and enable Remote Desktop.

  - Azure gives you access to their **Windows Server VMs**, for which you can connect via RDP after provisioning.

- Google Cloud Platform (GCP) Free Tier:

   - GCP offers a free tier with a **small f1-micro instance** in their **Compute Engine** that can be used to create a Windows Server. RDP access is possible by configuring the instance with the appropriate firewall settings.

   - GCP's free tier provides 1 year of free credits, which can be used to set up your RDP.

Setting up Free RDP on Cloud: Steps

1. Sign Up and Create a Cloud Account: 

     - Sign up for the free-tier account with a cloud provider (AWS, Azure, GCP).

     

2. Launch a Windows Server Instance:

From the cloud provider dashboard, provision a Windows Server virtual machine using the minimum free-tier instance. This can be **t2.micro** in AWS, **B1s** in Azure, or **f1-micro** in GCP.

3. Configure Security and RDP Access:

   - Configure the firewall to allow incoming RDP connections (3389).

   - Once you have created your instance, you will also receive an external IP address along with your RDP credentials.

4. Download RDP File and Connect:

   - Download the RDP file and use an RDP client to connect to your instance.

Limitations:

- Free tier instances usually come with limited resources (CPU, RAM), which may not be suitable for heavy workloads.

- Cloud providers may require credit card details to sign up, even for free accounts.

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3. Using Third-Party RDP Services

There are several third-party services which give you a free RDP connection that can be used for personal use or limited time only. These services offer virtual desktop environments available on the remote network.

 

 Free RDP Service Examples

- Chrome Remote Desktop:

- Google's *Chrome Remote Desktop* is a super simple, secure, and free solution to access your computer from another computer using the Google Chrome browser. This solution can be installed on both Windows and Mac computers.

It's a great alternative to traditional RDPs as you have the ability to control your computer via another computer or even a mobile device.

   

- **AnyDesk**:

- AnyDesk is a very common remote access utility which offers a free version for personal use. AnyDesk can be installed and run on both the host and client devices and allows connection without too much configuration.

   - Like RDP, this utility follows a different protocol and usually has better performance and security options

   - TeamViewer**:

- TeamViewer is another free tool for personal use that provides access to remote desktops. You can install it on client as well as on a remote computer; after login, you can easily access and control the host.

 

 Steps of Using Third-Party RDP Services

1. Installing Remote Access Software:

- Install the tool (Chrome Remote Desktop, AnyDesk, TeamViewer) on the device you want to access remotely and the device you will use to control it.

2. Create an Account (If Needed):

   - Some services, like AnyDesk or TeamViewer, may require creating an account.

3. Connect and Control:

- Launch the application on the client device, inputting any required credentials or an access code to establish the connection.

Limitations:

- Fine for personal use. May not match the options and overall control of built-in RDP on Windows.

- Some features may be unavailable or subject to limitations (file transfers, multi-session support, advanced security, among others) on lower-tier plans, or hidden behind higher-tier plans.

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 4. Utilizing Open-Source Options (Linux-based)

If you are technically adventurous and confident with the workings of Linux, you can set up your own free RDP server using open-source solutions.

 Example: **xrdp on Linux**

 

1. Install xrdp:

    You can install the **xrdp** package, which provides RDP server functionality on Linux-based systems, on your Linux machine.

    

    ```bash

    sudo apt-get install xrdp

    ```

2. Configure xrdp:

- The **xrdp** service will be started once installed. You can remotely access the Linux machine using any RDP client, such as Remote Desktop Connection on a Windows box.

   

3. Connect via RDP:

    - Open the RDP client and input the IP address of the Linux machine to access it.

    

 Limitations

- This is ideal for users who are familiar with Linux.

- Some Linux distributions may require additional configuration for full compatibility.

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 Conclusion

Here, you can make an absolutely free RDP server available with the proper tools-no matter if you use Windows built-in options, free cloud services, third-party tools, or open-source solutions. One with simplicity would be preferable, using third-party tools in any case: for example, AnyDesk or Chrome Remote Desktop. In any case, in order to implement more customization or long-term use, you may prefer any of the cloud services or a self-hosted Windows/Linux RDP solution for it.

Regardless of which approach you take, make sure you follow best security practices in protecting your access to a remote system, especially when people are accessing sensitive information remotely.